Senior Quality Assurance Analyst (Accountant, Principal)

The Human Services Department (HSD), a department of the City of Seattle, funds and operates programs and services that meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people in our community – families and individuals with low incomes, children, domestic violence and sexual assault victims, people experiencing homelessness, seniors, and persons with disabilities. We invest in programs that help people gain independence and success.

This position is part of the Quality Assurance Team (QAT) within the Finance Division and serves as a subject matter expert in fiscal compliance, sub-recipient monitoring under 2 CFR 200, and fraud risk management to ensure strong stewardship of federal and general funds invested in community-based human service providers. Reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager, the Principal Accountant plays a key role in reinforcing the City’s fiscal accountability framework by leading comprehensive fiscal reviews, supporting fraud and forensic assessments when needed, advancing department-wide compliance directives, contributing to annual Single Audit preparation, and conducting fiscal risk analyses for HSD’s competitive funding processes. The role also strengthens internal oversight by advising on agency desk monitoring practices and evaluating policy and operational risks across HSD to support consistent, transparent, and compliant financial management.

• Conduct comprehensive fiscal and operational reviews of HSD-funded agencies to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

• Lead sensitive assignments as directed, including special investigations, whistle blower investigations and other investigations alleging potential fraud.

• Implement proactive fraud detection and monitoring measures, including data analytics and anomaly identification; escalate concerns through established protocols.

• Conduct investigative fact-finding interviews, as needed.

• Perform detailed analysis of agency audits, financial statements, and IRS Form 990 filings; identify discrepancies and evaluate the associated corrective actions.

• Review and assess financial statements and budget proposals during RFP/RFI processes to evaluate financial health, soundness, and risk exposure.

• Develop and maintain risk assessment frameworks, including risk scoring models, to prioritize monitoring.

• Provide subject matter expertise on internal controls, compliance standards, audit practices, fraud risk management, and financial management to department staff supporting partner agencies.

• Support federal, state, and city audits by preparing documentation and serving as a compliance SME for QAT monitoring activities.

• Prepare clear, concise written reports summarizing findings, outcomes, and recommendations for leadership and partner organizations.

• Conduct racial equity analysis in all compliance and monitoring activities; integrate equity metrics into financial review processes and reporting.

• Assist the Operations team with the development of training materials as a department SME in fiscal reviews, compliance monitoring, and internal control best practices.

• Develop and track performance metrics (KPIs) for QA activities; contribute to quarterly compliance dashboards for leadership transparency.

Minimum Qualifications: Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field (requires satisfactory completion of atleast 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credit units in accounting with no substitution allowed) and/or professional certification as a CPA.

Experience: Four years professional experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, or related work with one year experience equivalent to a Senior