Indirect Cost Analyst
Description Indirect Cost Analyst - Management Analyst 5 Office of Financial Services – Office of Accounting and Grants This permanent, full-time, home-based (remote) position is open to Washington residents and those residing on the ID/WA and OR/WA borders. The Opportunity - The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Financial Services provides leadership and support for agency priorities through high-quality financial and operational management, including budgeting, contracting, grant management, purchasing, and accounting. - The Office of Accounting and Grants (OAG) provides agency-wide leadership and oversight for grant financial reporting, accounting, revenue, payroll, fiscal monitoring, and indirect cost services while ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements. - The Indirect Cost Analyst serves as the agency's subject matter expert for indirect cost budgeting and leads the design, development, management, and continuous improvement of DOH's indirect cost function. - Reporting to the Federal Financial Reporting Manager, this position combines financial analysis, business process improvement, technology and systems expertise, regulatory compliance, and executive consultation to support sound agency-wide financial decisions. - This role leads the annual agency indirect cost proposal, evaluates and improves Cost Allocation System (CAS) processes and technology, analyzes complex financial and operational issues, and develops recommendations for leadership. - The position also provides consultation for, review, and approval of subrecipient indirect cost plans and represents DOH in complex indirect cost matters with federal, state, local, and community partners.
Key Responsibilities
Include: Indirect Cost Leadership - Lead the agency-wide development, management, and continuous improvement of indirect cost budgeting processes. - Develop and manage the annual agency indirect cost proposal and related financial analyses. - Serve as the agency's subject matter expert on indirect cost requirements, methodologies, and practices. - Provide consultation and technical guidance on subrecipient indirect cost plans. Financial and Business Analysis - Analyze complex financial, operational, and indirect cost issues to identify risks, opportunities, and potential solutions. - Evaluate financial and business processes to improve accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and compliance. - Develop alternatives and recommendations for leadership based on financial analysis, business needs, and regulatory requirements. - Translate complex financial information into clear, actionable guidance for executive and program leaders. Systems and Process Improvement - Evaluate and improve Cost Allocation System (CAS) processes, technology, and functionality. - Lead the implementation of approved process, system, and business improvements. - Identify opportunities to strengthen data quality, reporting, automation, and financial controls. - Partner with internal teams to ensure financial systems and processes support agency needs. Compliance and Partnerships - Ensure indirect cost practices align with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and reporting requirements. - Represent DOH in complex indirect cost discussions with federal, state, local, and community partners. - Collaborate across programs and offices to resolve complex financial and operational issues. - Support agency-wide financial strategies that promote responsible stewardship of public resources. Why You’ll Love This Role - This role offers the opportunity to influence how a statewide public health agency manages and allocates financial resources that support critical services and programs. - The Indirect Cost Analyst works with financial professionals, program leaders, executives, and external partners on complex issues that have agency-wide impact. - The position offers a combination of independent work, collaborative problem-solving, financial analysis, systems improvement, and strategic consultation—providing meaningful opportunities to strengthen public-sector financial practices while building expertise in indirect cost, business processes, and agency-wide financial strategy.
Required Qualifications
There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile. Option 1: - Five (5) or more years of experience in accounting and financial analysis that includes: - Experience evaluating the allowability, allocability, and reasonableness of costs and applying cost allocation methodologies and indirect cost recovery principles. - Experience reviewing indirect rate plans to ensure accuracy and compliance. - Experience coordinating with accounting, budget, grants, program, and executive staff to resolve complex financial issues and ensure compliance with state and federal requirements. - Experience applying and interpreting federal and state fiscal regulations including: 2 CFR 200, federal cost principles, federal grant requirements, and state accounting regulations and policies. Option 2: - Bachelor’s degree with a major study in accounting, finance, or closely allied field; AND three (3) or more years of experience in accounting and financial analysis including: - Experience evaluating the allowability, allocability, and reasonableness of costs and applying cost allocation methodologies and indirect cost recovery principles. - Experience reviewing indirect rate plans to ensure accuracy and compliance. - Experience coordinating with accounting, budget, grants, program, and executive staff to resolve complex financial issues and ensure compliance with state and federal requirements. - Experience applying and interpreting federal and state fiscal regulations including: 2 CFR 200, federal cost principles, federal grant requirements, and state accounting regulations and policies. Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience - Two (2) or more years of work experience comparing and analyzing financial data, identifying issues or challenges, and trends; using critical thinking to provide important feedback, recommendations and status reports to leadership, management and non-financial partners; and problem solving to offer well thought out options for resolution and next steps. - Two (2) or more years of direct experience developing, reviewing, negotiating, administering or monitoring indirect cost rate proposals or cost allocations plans. - Computer skill levels: - Microsoft Excel – Advanced ability to develop and manipulate complex spreadsheets with macros, multiple math functions, advanced filters, and links to external sources of information. Create custom toolbars and chart types, pivot tables, import data from other sources, filter lists, and use data analysis tools. - Microsoft Word – Intermediate ability to create, format, and edit tables, charts and graphs; insert and format sections, create headers and footers, and work with pictures and draw objects. - Microsoft PowerPoint – Intermediate ability to create, format and edit presentations; insert and format slides, create linked charts and graphs and work with pictures and objects. Preferred Qualifications - While these aren’t required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate. - Two (2) or more years of professional experience using state accounting systems - AFRS & Enterprise Reporting. - Two (2) or more years of experience and expertise in providing presentations and facilitation of large groups. Employee Benefits - We offer a solid benefits package that supports you and your family’s health, financial security, and work-life balance. - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans. - Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities. - Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health. About the Washington State Department of Health - We're nearly 2,700 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. - Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience. - We help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. - Our work depends on people who take action to learn and grow and who take action to meet the needs of others every day, in service of a healthier Washington. - Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website. Working Conditions - The following describes the working conditions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation. - Work Setting: Fully remote; official duty station is home-based. Onsite work may be requested by the supervisor with advance planning. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in indoors at home or office environments. - This position is sedentary, working at a computer for extended periods. - Schedule: Standard DOH business hours, Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 40 hours per week; may require longer hours to complete projects or meet deadlines. Alternative or flexible schedules may be considered with supervisory approval. - Travel: Travel is not required, but occasional or infrequent travel may be expected to attend meetings, training, or conferences. - Tools and Equipment: Standard office furniture and equipment; reliable internet connection required for remote work. - Customer Interactions: Daily engagement with agency staff, leadership, federal government, other state agencies, tribal governments, local health jurisdictions, and external partners. - Other: This position is covered by a bargaining unit (WFSE). The DOH campus is smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral. May be required to participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities. APPLICATION DIRECTIONS - We’re committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted. - Click “Apply” to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable). - List at least three professional references directly in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable). - Do not include private details like SSN, birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, or portfolios. Veterans Preference - Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, disability status, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. Questions and Accommodations - If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Andrea Thieme at [email protected] and reference DOH8974. - Technical Support: NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. - The candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days. - Experience and education selected in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.