Job Information
Port of Seattle Manager, Financial Reporting and Controls in Seattle, Washington
Some of what you'll be doing:
As a Manager of Financial Reporting & Controls, you will be a member of the Accounting & Financial Reporting (AFR) team. In this role, you will provide leadership and strategic direction. You will directly oversee the Port of Seattle’s centralized external financial reporting function and software application responsible for accurately reporting over $10 billion in capital assets, $800 million operating revenue, and $500 million operating expense. This position will also provide leadership for external audits conducted by the external Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm, and technical accounting and financial reporting compliance. You will ensure accurate interpretation and application of industry prescribed accounting standards, legal and regulatory compliance, effective internal controls, and audit exposure risk mitigation. Additionally, you will formulate and execute business strategies and operational goals/objectives by leveraging technology solutions to improve Port accounting and financial reporting, and related business processes.
You will provide leadership, vision, and strategy; set direction, and establish priorities over the Port’s enterprise-wide technical accounting and financial reporting, and internal controls, for work performed by the centralized functions (internal and external to AFR) and direct reports. You will ensure the work is aligned with the Port’s strategic goals and objectives. You will prepare and monitor the operating budget. You will support growth and development by providing opportunities for job-related training in addition to mandatory training. You will provide continuous performance management and employee feedback, address performance issues, and conduct performance evaluations. Additionally, you will have hiring authority in the recruitment and selection of staff.
You will provide leadership for the Port’s centralized external financial reporting to ensure accuracy, integrity, and timeliness in issuing all audited reports that comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and regulatory requirements. You will manage the production of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and serve as the key author for the Introduction and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). You will review the final draft of all external audit reports prior to issuance to affirm their accuracy and integrity, and have guidance over security access, upgrades, maintenance, and testing of enterprise accounting systems and external reporting software applications.
You will oversee the team to perform technical accounting research, accurately interpret and implement emerging and evolving accounting and financial reporting standards and provide leadership to ensure alignment with Federal/State regulations, Commission policies, and Executive priorities. You will review technical whitepapers prepared by the team, proactively formulate, revise, and enforce Port-wide financial and accounting policies for proper public funds accountability and financial integrity to mitigate audit findings and risk exposures related to both internal and external audits. You will review research prepared by the team and present observations and financial impact modeling for the Port along with recommendations for AFR senior management and Port Finance & Budget teams for timely budgetary management.
You will oversee and manage the Port’s enterprise-wide annual financial period year-end close process and serve as the key liaison to effectively resolve accounting and financial reporting issues identified during audits with cross-functional senior management teams. You will facilitate all external audits for both the Port of Seattle and Northwest Seaport Alliance – North Harbor to ensure all audits are completed on time and on budget. You will manage remediations or corrective actions implemented by stakeholders due to audit recommendations or findings. Additionally, you will manage and resolve performance issues related to the audit contract involving the Port’s external CPA firm.
You will serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Advisor to identify, initiate, and manage actions to mitigate internal control weaknesses that pose risk exposures to Port financial processes, accounting and reporting, regulatory reporting, and guide Port departments. You will provide leadership for respective areas of operation in the completion of Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) modeled management due diligence assessments over financial reporting’s controls effectiveness and risk exposure mitigation.
You will provide leadership and strategies to improve business processes and leverage technology solutions when implementing new/updated accounting standards and pronouncements. You will partner with direct reports to educate/train Port teams whose operations have been impacted by accounting standards, provide educational presentations and creating learning tools. You will oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of new business processes and use of the Port’s financial system (including sub-systems) to ensure successful adoption of new accounting standards along with sound internal controls, such as segregation of duties and system use security.
You will lead technical accounting assessments over complex and major business transactions. You will interview senior leaders and Legal to affirm or gain a broad understanding of Port operations, and business strategies of the transaction, and determine all applicable accounting and financial reporting implications, in consideration of prescribed industry accounting and financial reporting standards. You will research and apply GAAP and determine the proper accounting and financial reporting treatment and balance with the Port’s business strategies and objectives. You will prepare comprehensive management position whitepapers on the Port's assessment and basis for such treatment which also serves as documentation to pass audit scrutiny.
You will perform other duties as assigned.
Who you are:
Experienced – You have eight (8) years of progressive experience working/managing financial reporting in a combination of complex accounting environments and/or public accounting firms, and five (5) years of supervising staff.
Educated – You possess a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, or a related field, as well as an active Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license.
Committed to Equity – You will apply equity and exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices in all aspects of the work. At the Port of Seattle, equity is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all Port employees.
Knowledgeable – You have technical knowledge in accounting and financial reporting and the ability to interpret and apply prescribed accounting standards relevant to both the private and government sectors (FASB and GASB standards). You have a good understanding of auditing processes and requirements prescribed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) for public sector and Federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) for government sector and knowledge of Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission requirements to effectively evaluate internal controls. You are proficient with complex accounting systems, Microsoft Suite, SharePoint, etc. Proficiency with advanced excel functions.
Leader - You have highly effective leadership skills to direct a large and diverse group of high performing employees, and demonstrated management principles including setting performance expectations, managing, and improving performance, and providing leadership, direction, and feedback.
Strong Communicator – You have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, to garner trust and build strong, credible relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. Additionally, you have excellent presentation skills with the ability to interpret complex financial information to non-technical audiences in a variety of public and private settings.
Analytical & Strategic – You have strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills to exercise professional judgement and decision making. Additionally, you have strong project management skills for both technology and business process optimization projects, with the ability to take a vision through a business case to execution and look at project impacts in a holistic manner.
What else you need to know:
Work Schedule – Your normal work schedule will be Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (40 hours per week). Slightly more flexible start and end times are available in this role.
Work Environment - This work will take place in a hybrid/in-office setting at Management’s discretion.
Grade Review – The pay range and grade for non-represented positions are under review and subject to change as part of the Port’s work to implement a new pay program. This review is intended to ensure that positions are aligned with the new program that will be implemented in early 2024.
Washington State Residency Requirement – Employees must establish a residence in Washington state within 30 days of their first day of employment and must maintain a residence in Washington State during their employment with the Port of Seattle. If a position is eligible to telework, work performed while teleworking must be performed in Washington State.
Why you'll love it here:
The Port of Seattle offers an extensive benefits package that rewards our staff for their valuable contributions towards the Port‘s mission. In addition to the summary below, benefit details for non-represented positions can be found on the Port of Seattle‘s website. If the position is represented by a union, please refer to the “ Collective Bargaining Agreement ” or contact the appropriate Union Representative for specific information related to benefits and eligibility.
Healthcare – Medical, Dental, and Vision Care with options that work for you and your family.
Paid Vacation – Just about four weeks per year that increases with tenure to rest and rejuvenate.
Paid Sick Leave – At least one hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked.
Holidays – More than ten days per year to celebrate with family and friends away from work.
Pension/Retirement Plans – A pension and additional savings plans to prepare for your future after the Port.
Getting to Work – From subsidized parking and a low-cost public transit card to alternative work arrangements giving you an opportunity to work from home.
Parental Leave – Six weeks of paid leave to spend with new additions to your immediate family.
Development – From tuition reimbursement, training, stretch assignments and internal internships, we support a learning culture.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – The Port of Seattle values diversity as a source of innovation and strength. We are actively working across the organization to create a culture where all employees – regardless of race, gender, and other identities – succeed and reach their fullest potential.
Work-Life Balance – We provide the resources to help you create habits to be healthy and balanced.
Mission Driven – We are focused together in promoting economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in an equitable, accountable, and environmentally responsible manner.
Why the Port of Seattle:
Every role at the Port of Seattle is vital to our thriving community. We are a leader in moving people and cargo across the country and around the world. With facilities and property ranging in scope from a half-acre park to one of the largest airports and container terminals on the West Coast, we maximize the public assets in our portfolio with an eye toward best uses and environmental sustainability. Find out more here .
Our vision is to create a Port that mirrors – throughout its breadth of operations and services and within its leadership – the diversity of our communities, instill principles of equity into its culture, and ensures a fair and intentional distribution of opportunities to expand economic develop and quality of life for all in our region. Find out more about how our values RAISE us up and our commitment to equity .
Location: Downtown Seattle
Organization: AFR Financial Reporting
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-time
Posting Expires: May 7, 2024, 11:59:00 PM
Minimum Salary: 124,467.00
Midpoint Salary: 186,701.00
Req ID: 002686
The Port of Seattle is an equal opportunity employer that values diverse perspectives and life experiences. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, knowing decisions concerning the employment relationship will be made without regard to age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, the presence of any physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, regulations and ordinances. To help comply with all state and federal requirements, we appreciate you voluntarily answering the questions below. The information on this form will be kept confidential. Click https://www.portseattle.org/page/ethnicity-definitions for definitions and descriptions of the categories referenced below regarding Ethnicity and Race. Click https://www.portseattle.org/page/vevraa-information for information and definitions of the categories referenced below regarding Protected Veterans status.