Assistant Controller

We are looking for an experienced Assistant Controller to provide senior-level accounting leadership and hands-on support for a municipal finance team in Washington. This is a Long-term Contract position expected to run approximately 18 to 24 months, supporting critical financial operations, year-end activities, and reporting needs during a period of significant systems and process work. The role requires strong knowledge of governmental accounting, cash-basis reporting, financial statement preparation, and cross-functional collaboration across City departments.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver high-level accounting support across core finance operations, ensuring continuity in reporting, reconciliations, and daily transaction processing.
• Lead account analysis and balancing activities for general ledger transactions, payroll, accounts payable, cash receipting, inventory, fixed assets, and related financial records.
• Prepare financial statements, year-end schedules, and supporting documentation required for audits, regulatory reporting, and internal review.
• Apply Washington governmental reporting standards, applicable accounting guidance, and local policies to maintain accurate books and compliant financial records.
• Partner with departmental stakeholders to understand operational workflows and align accounting support with business needs across the organization.
• Assist with data validation, historical record review, and spreadsheet-based financial tracking needed to support ongoing finance operations and system-related work.
• Contribute to budget support, financial analysis, grant-related accounting, remittance activity, and special projects assigned by finance leadership.
• Support transition efforts by documenting procedures, helping with cross-training, and maintaining essential finance functions while legacy and new systems operate in parallel
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including senior-level responsibility for financial reporting and general ledger oversight.
• Demonstrated background in governmental or municipal accounting, with knowledge of public-sector reporting requirements and compliance standards.
• Strong experience with month-end and year-end close, account reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• Working knowledge of cash-basis accounting and the ability to support reporting in environments that use modified accrual methods during the fiscal year.
• Experience supporting audits, including preparation of workpapers, schedules, and documentation for external review.
• Advanced Excel skills, with the ability to build and manage detailed financial schedules and spreadsheet-based analyses.
• Familiarity with ERP environments such as Dynamics GP and exposure to Workday or similar finance systems is preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, manage shifting priorities, and provide dependable support in a complex public-sector setting.