Salary: $4,406.00 - $8,583.00 Monthly
Location : Kitsap County - Port Orchard, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-06172
Department: Auditor's Office
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
You are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.
This posting will be used to fill a vacancy in Port Orchard, WA.
About SAO:
At the State Auditor's Office, we work together to make a difference in how our state government operates. With 15 offices statewide, we are looking for innovative, talented people to join our team to help us continue our important work. Get to know us! We take pride in serving various governments and the people of Washington State. Learn more about who we are and what we do on social media, using the hashtag #WeAreSAO and on our website at
Our Culture:
We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace environment that is collaborative and supports all employees as we effectively carry out the agency's mission. This includes ensuring inclusion and equity throughout the agency, while embracing the individual differences of our employees and clients. We believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds are fundamental to doing our best work.
The Washington State Auditor's Office (SAO) prides itself in offering flexible schedules and a hybrid work environment that helps our staff balance work and life.
About the Role: Assistant State Auditor
Auditing is an excellent opportunity for innovators. It's your chance to join us in the search for new ideas to ensure our audits are relevant and provide value to the governments we audit. It's a career in which you can take pride in the work you do and the services we perform for the citizens of Washington State.
We are currently looking to fill an Assistant State Auditor position in Port Orchard, WA.
About Team Port Orchard:
Team Port Orchard is one of 17 local audit teams within the Office of the Washington State Auditor and is responsible for conducting audits for more than 130 governments in Kitsap, Mason, Jefferson, Clallam and portions of Pierce and King Counties. The team conducts accountability, financial and federal grant compliance audits on a wide array of entity types including cities, counties, school districts, fire districts, public utility districts and ports.
We strive to establish and facilitate positive working relationships with our audit clients and to provide them with valuable recommendations for improvement. At the same time, we promote team camaraderie and an encouraging atmosphere dedicated to supporting each other's growth and professional development.
Our work is performed in a hybrid environment, with a combination of onsite, in-office and remote work. Onsite work requires occasional daily and overnight travel to client locations.
The team values goal-driven employees who are personally accountable for their work and invested in their own learning, growth and development. To aid in employees' success, we provide access to numerous internal resources, trainings, a robust mentoring program and the opportunity work alongside experienced staff to assist in developing important audit skills.
Successful Assistant State Auditors come from many backgrounds. The primary competencies required for this role is:
- Written and verbal communication
- Time/Project Management
- Understanding of Accounting concepts/principles as they relate to Auditing.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skill
- Team Collaboration: Ability to build effective working relationships.
Duties
Find out more about what local government audit teams do here!
Assistant State Auditor 1 ($4,320 - $5,812)
This is the first level of our in-training program for staff with little audit experience. The Office provides classes, on-the-job training time, and work product review and feedback to assist new auditors in gaining skills to move to the next level. Most work is completed in the field at the governmental entity, with employees working in teams.
Assistant State Auditor 2 ($5,011 - $6,735)
In this second level of our in-training program, auditors continue to build upon the experience they gained through work as an Assistant State Auditor 1, our Internship program, or comparable work at another organization. At this level, employees may to be assigned opportunities to plan and conduct audits under the guidance of their supervisor.
Assistant State Auditor 3 ($6,259 - $8,415)
This is the journey level of our Assistant State Auditor series. Staff at this level are responsible for planning and conducting risk-based financial & legal compliance, audits of Washington State agencies and local governments. They may also perform special investigations pertaining to citizen concerns and/or frauds. Journey level auditors review the work and provide mentoring to in-training level staff.
Qualifications
Education and years of experience combined with demonstrated competencies will determine ASA placement.
Job Qualification Requirement: Within this section, relevant experience is defined as experience in accounting, auditing, finance, banking, or financial investigations.
Assistant State Auditor 1 ($4,406 - $5,928)
This is the first level of our in-training program for staff with little audit experience. The Office provides classes, on-the-job training time, and work product review and feedback to assist new auditors in gaining skills to move to the next level. Most work is completed in the field at the governmental entity, with employees working in teams.
Job Qualification Requirement:
Option 1- Requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum of three college-level accounting courses.
OR
Option 2- Education may be substituted with experience. Total experience must be 4-years of business or relevant experience, of which a minimum of 1-year in accounting/auditing is required.
OR
Option 3- Any equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Assistant State Auditor 2 ($5,111 - $6,870)
In this second level of our in-training program, auditors continue to build upon the experience they gained through work as an Assistant State Auditor 1 or through comparable work at another organization. At this level, employees may be assigned opportunities to plan and conduct audits, participate in client discussions and/or presentations under the guidance of a supervisor or Audit Lead.
Job Qualification Requirement:
Option 1- Requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum of three college-level accounting courses as well as one year of relevant experience. Government audit experience preferred.
OR
Option 2- Education may be substituted with experience. Total experience must be 5-years of business or relevant experience, of which a minimum of 2-years in accounting/auditing is required. Government audit experience preferred.
OR
Option 3- Any equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Assistant State Auditor 3 ($6,384 - $8,583)
This is the journey level of our Assistant State Auditor series. Staff at this level are responsible for planning and conducting risk-based financial & legal compliance, audits of Washington State agencies and local governments. They may also perform special investigations pertaining to citizen concerns and/or frauds. Journey level auditors review the work and provide mentoring to in-training level staff.
Job Qualification Requirement:
Option 1- Requires a bachelor's degree and completion of at least three college-level accounting classes and two years of relevant experience. Government audit experience preferred.
OR
Option 2- Education may be substituted with experience. Total experience must be 6-years of relevant experience, of which a minimum of 3-years in accounting or auditing is required. Government audit experience preferred.
OR
Option 3- Any equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Supplemental Information
We offer a comprehensive package of health and wellness benefits to employees, including:
- Full benefits package.
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
- Growth and development opportunities, including 80+ hours of training each biennium.
- Educational and professional certification reimbursements.
- An agency-wide commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion in the workplace.
Make a difference; find your purpose; join Team SAO! To hear what others have to say about working at SAO, click here
For consideration, applicants must:
Submit a completed application.
Provide complete responses on all supplemental questions.
Submit a resume and a cover letter addressing how your education/experience relates to the key competencies identified for this position.
**Your application materials will be used to determine your qualifications and eligibility to be considered for this position. You must submit a complete application including a cover letter detailing your qualifications and resume. Missing items will be considered incomplete and may disqualify you from further consideration. ***
Important note: Submissions received absent of all three required components above will result in the disqualification of your candidacy.
Degrees awarded outside the United States must include a credential evaluation report.
Applications that require a credential evaluation report and do not include one will be disqualified.
If you are a US Veteran and would like to apply for Veteran's Preference, attach a copy of Form DD214 military record showing qualifying discharge.
Questions may be directed to the applications unit at applicationsunit@sao.wa.gov.
The Office of the Washington State Auditor is an equal opportunity employer.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance in the application or testing process, or who need this announcement in an alternative format, may call (564) 999-0947 or via the telecommunications relay service by dialing 7-1-1.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Ser
