Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association

Job Type Full-Time
Department Fiscal
Location Ventura, CA, USA
Salary $175,152 to $215,041 DOQ

Definition:

Under administrative direction, plans, manages and directs all financial and accounting activities of the Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association (VCERA); establishes compliant and efficient processes to ensure timely and accurate accounting practices for the organization; provides professional assistance and guidance in developing fiscal policies; directs and coordinates systems development; directs and coordinates the preparation of financial statements; reviews investment manager and custodial reports; monitors cash position, asset allocation, departmental expenditures; develops long-term strategic planning to meet strategic objectives; serves as a member of VCERA’s senior management team.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The Chief Financial Officer is a single position classification having complete responsibility for planning, directing, and evaluating the entire scope of financial and accounting functions required by VCERA. The incumbent must have a broad knowledge of financial, investment and systems experience.

This is a VCERA Special District position, reports to the Retirement Administrator, and is exempt from the Civil Service System.

Examples of Duties (include but not limited to):

• Manages all aspects of VCERA financial activities including preparation and maintenance of financial and accounting records and reports; financial and accounting systems, including chart of accounts and development of reports; training of assigned staff.
• Facilitates and coordinates annual financial audit(s) with external auditor, including the planning and coordination of field work and serving as internal liaison with Board and internal staff on audit compliance.
• Directs and provides guidance in the processing of general accounting transactions, monthly retiree payroll, accounts receivable/payable, revenue and expenditures, investment reconciliations and cash control.
• Develops and implements financial policies; develops short and long-term goals and objectives; ensures that established goals and objectives are achieved; adapts procedures as needed for efficiency and compliance.
• Prepares the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (ACFR), Annual State Controller’s Report, Federal and State Tax Reports, and other financial reports as required; responsible for the annual issuance of 1099R forms.
• Reviews IT generated data to be used by VCERA’s actuary in the preparation of valuations and experience investigations; uses actuarial information to prepare prefunding analysis for the County CEO’s staff.
• Prepares and monitors VCERA’s annual administrative budget; monitors and approves expenditures for services and supplies; proposes budget adjustments as necessary; works with department managers on budget tracking and accountability.
• Monitors and projects internal cash flows to ensure funds are available to meet all expenditure requirements and asset allocation plan is properly maintained; works with Chief Investment Officer (CIO) on liquidity issues.
• Ensures compliance with all established investment related guidelines; collaborates with CIO, VCERA investment consultants and investment managers.
• Monitors industry trends and legislative and tax changes and their impact on financial decisions and processes; modifies the organization’s procedures, documents and reports in response and educates other agency staff on new requirements.
• Identifies pension system requirements with respect to financial perations, working with Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and staff to address and modify system-generated reports.
• Attends professional meetings as necessary to stay current on pension fund financial, accounting and investment issues; networks with colleagues in other pension systems to share knowledge and ensure best practices.

Qualification Guidelines

The Qualified Candidate will have a thorough knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of financial management, and control mechanisms;
• County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 regulations;
• Organizational development;
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) principles and changes;
• Financial and operational auditing standards and techniques;
• Preparation of financial statements, notes and supplementary schedules;
• Preparation of bank and securities reconciliations;
• Preparation of Federal and State tax reports;
• Actuarial principles and concepts;
• Investment products, services, and guidelines;
• Budget preparation and monitoring;

The Qualified Candidate will have the ability to:

• Effectively manage and supervise financial operations;
• Manage, coordinate, supervise and evaluate budget and financial activities;
• Prepare complex financial reports;
• Analyze and interpret applicable Federal and State laws, codes and regulations;
• Supervise and train assigned staff;
• Express ideas effectively in oral and written form;
• Present financial items to the Board of Retirement, responding to questions and direction in public meetings;
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with trustees, consultants, investment managers, plan participants and other stakeholders;
• Analyze and interpret private equity investment documents.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and other related financial software and advanced proficiency with Excel.

Education and Experience:

• Extensive education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities detailed above. An example of qualifying education and experience includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or closely related field and the equivalent of five (5) years of full-time progressively responsible financial management experience.
• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant is highly desirable.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION

To be considered for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter including current salary by March 25, 2022 (electronic submission preferred). Please forward this information to:
Chris Ayala, Program Assistant
Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association
mailto:Chris.ayala@ventura.org
1190 South Victoria Avenue, Suite 200
Ventura, CA 93003