Job Description

The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Opportunity awaits!

The Oregon Department of Human Services is seeking a skilled Senior Financial Accountant to join our Office of Financial Services. In this key role, you will apply advanced accounting theory and expertise to support complex agency operations and ensure the integrity of our financial systems.

As the unit’s primary technical expert, you will guide professional and para‑professional accounting staff, resolve complex system issues, and help shape agency-wide accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls. You will also oversee cash management, grant accounting, and subsystem operations, ensuring compliance with GAAP, state requirements, and ODHS business rules.

We are looking for a collaborative accounting professional with deep knowledge of automated, transaction-based financial systems and the ability to lead others through complex financial projects.

Summary of Duties

As a Senior Financial Accountant, you will:

Accounting Functions

• Maintain strong accounting controls and ensure accurate, timely financial reports.
• Resolve complex and unusual accounting issues, including system corrections and adaptations.
• Update financial management systems to meet specialized agency needs and comply with required accounting standards.
• Manage projects to design, develop, and improve complex accounting systems, including those that interact with statewide systems.
• Guide accounting staff on complex assignments, review work for accuracy and compliance, and provide direction and training.

Reporting and Analysis

• Ensure complete and accurate annual financial reporting for a large, multifaceted agency, including financial statements, disclosures, and narrative documentation.
• Interpret and present financial information to internal and external audiences.
• Design and analyze specialized financial reports generated from centralized systems and provide clear fiscal interpretations.

Leadership and Training

• Partner with accounting and program leaders to support decision-making and policy development.
• Evaluate risks, benefits, and costs of proposals and recommend appropriate actions.
• Provide training on advanced accounting topics and reporting requirements.
• Prepare responses to audit inquiries and explain accounting policies, procedures, and systems to auditors and external reviewers.

Project Management

• Lead projects that improve system efficiency and strengthen internal processes.
• Evaluate proposals, develop alternatives, and recommend actions that align with agency needs.
• Balance competing priorities to develop effective action plans and deliver final reports and presentations.
• Support special projects assigned by the unit manager and represent the unit in meetings and process improvement initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Government Financial Manager certificate AND three years of accounting experience equivalent to Accountant 2 work to include designing and modifying accounting systems that require frequent changes in requirements to meet specific business objectives, consulting with program managers or external organizations, and assuring the proper functioning and accountability of fiscal operations; OR

A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or in any discipline that includes or is supplemented by 32 quarter (21 semester) credit hours from an accredited institution in Accounting AND three years of related accounting experience equivalent to Accountant 2 work to include designing and modifying accounting systems that require frequent changes in requirements to meet specific business objectives, consulting with program managers or external organizations, and ensuring the proper functioning and accountability of fiscal operations; OR

32 quarter (21 semester) credit hours from an accredited institution in Accounting AND five years of related accounting experience to include a) classifying, analyzing, and reconciling complex financial data and records; b) designing, recommending, and installing modifications of accounting methods, procedures, forms, and records; c) preparing audited financial statements and reports; d) analyzing and interpreting laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances to ensure the legality of financial transactions; and e) analyzing and interpreting complex accounts and account relationships resulting in accounting entries.

15 quarter (10 semester) graduate-level accounting credit hours may substitute for one year of the accounting experience. Graduate-level courses used to satisfy the educational requirement may not be used to satisfy the experience requirement.

Preference may be given to candidates holding a CPA and/or with payroll tax prep and research experience.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Strong technical accounting expertise, with the ability to apply advanced accounting standards to complex financial operations.
• Proven experience in payroll tax preparation and interpretation of tax-related financial data.
• Skilled in using data query tools for data analysis, reporting, and visualizing financial insights.
• Exceptional problem‑solving ability, especially in resolving complex accounting and system issues.
• Effective communicator and collaborator, able to work across programs and support sound decision‑making through financial insight.

Attention all candidates! A cover letter describing how you meet each of the essential attributes and minimum qualifications listed is required as part of the application. This information will be used as screening criteria to determine whether an invitation to interview will be extended. Failure to submit the required cover letter will result in disqualification of your application.

Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.

If you are selected as the final candidate and a degree is listed as a minimum qualification for the position, please be prepared to provide verification of your completed education before moving forward in the hiring process.

The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. Immediately after you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.

Working Conditions

This is a non-supervisory management service position. Typical office environment. Normal office hours.

Most of the work performed by this position can be accomplished in a hybrid/remote open-landscape office environment. May require to come to the office for business needs.

Note: some travel expenses not provided, nor reimbursable for remote/hybrid work employees per travel policy paragraph 105: Travel Policy.

Background Checks and Requirements

If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification. Additional background check information.

The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.
• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
• Amazing benefits package.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Employment Preference

Veterans’ and Oregon National Guard preference: Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources.

General Information

This is a permanent, full-time position and is a Management Service, Supervisory position and is not represented by a union.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.

Contact Information

We invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions.

The recruiter for this position is Nora Leyva Esquivel. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-208696.

Email: Nora.L.LEYVA-ESQUIVEL@odhs.oregon.gov

Phone (call or text): 503-269-4222