Chief Financial Officer

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for the core financial functions of the County, including overall financial management, accounting, reporting, budgeting, payroll, procurement, internal auditing, and financial record keeping. Work is assigned by the Chairman and the Board of Commissioners (BOC) in the form of broad policy statements. Work requires the exercise of independent judgment and discretion and analytical abilities in accomplishing diversified duties within the limits of policies, standards, guidelines, and precedents. The employee in this class manages department operations and supervises professional and clerical staff. This position is also responsible for Executive Level Leadership within the organization. This includes overseeing general business operations for Rockdale County through influence and guidance per the Chairman, fulfilling organizational goals, strategic planning development and overall decision-making in county operations. The Executive Level Leadership role would have direct responsibility for setting the organizational culture and tone of Rockdale County. The Finance Director shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners and confirmed by the commission and shall be directly responsible to them.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential Functions: These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

• Plans, organizes, and directs the methods and procedures for all financial accounts, designated financial accounting records as may be deemed necessary, with the authority to recommend changes in implementation and maintenance.
• Plans long range goals, objectives, organizational structure, and overall financial direction of county departments; provides direction and assistance to department staff and departments in the preparation and presentation of the county's annual budget, financial audit reports, implementation of auditor recommendations, and countywide policies and procedures; monitors, reviews and communicates the implementation phases of the County's strategic plans to ensure that long range goals and objectives are met.
• Performs fiscal analysis, trend analysis, revenue forecasting, debt service planning, capital budgeting and planning, financial reporting, and related financial management tasks. Provides technical advice, counsel and direction to Chairman, BOC, and department heads as necessary to ensure effective administration and implementation of County approved policies, plans,
• procedures, hiring or promotion of financial accounting personnel, and systems, files various financial federal and state reports.
• Prepares and reviews monthly, quarterly, and annual balance sheet; presents report to BOC.
• Reviews the general ledger system for proper entries and compliance with state and federal regulations; prepares necessary reports.
• Develops and recommends annual department operating budget; monitors and administers approved budget; assists in development of and advises the executive assistant and BOC on annual operating budget and capital expenditures.
• Directs, monitors, and evaluates work of department staff; interviews, hires, trains, assigns work, addresses complaints, resolves conflicts, rewards and disciplines employees.
• Trains staff on changes in regulations, information systems, and general accounting principles as related to each function within the Finance Department as needed.
• Implements and installs all changes to the financial reporting system, as required.
• Represents the County at various functions, internally and externally, including community functions and business meetings with other organizations.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

The employee in this classification may be expected to perform any related duties as required by proper authority.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of public accounting, finance, budgeting, and auditing principles, procedures and techniques including experience performing internal audits and working with independent auditors.
• Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of public finance administration, including budget preparation.
• Advanced knowledge of statistical methods, techniques, and financial report preparation.
• Advanced knowledge of financial system design and analysis.
• Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of fund investing procedures and cash management.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Government Accounting Standards (GAS), all GASB accounting standards and financial reporting, and other applicable federal, state, and local laws; bond markets.
• Knowledge of administrative practices and principles, including goal setting, program budget development, and implementation.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of the bond market to ensure that future external issuance of bonds and notes are secured at reasonable rates, and that a satisfactory credit rating is maintained through the ongoing analysis and monitoring of the county's status.
• Skill in effective, clear, and persuasive oral and written communications about the County's finances to individuals and groups.
• Ability to interpret and apply related federal, state and local laws.
• Ability to apply sound administrative and fiscal practices.
• Ability to write clear, comprehensive explanatory texts to accompany financial reports.
• Ability to prepare accounting/financial data projections.
• Ability to present ideas effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to supervise the work of departmental staff including coordinating, assigning, monitoring, and evaluating work; hiring, training, counseling, and disciplining staff; and processing grievances.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other County employees/departments, County officials, and the public.
• Ability to act as a staff advisor to the Chairman and Board of Commissioners.
• Vision ability includes close vision and the ability to adjust focus in order to operate a personal computer and related equipment and to perform other tasks.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is typically performed in an office.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Public or Business Administration, or a related field.
2. Ten (10) years of progressively responsible financial management experience with five (5) years in a supervisory capacity.
3. OR have a combination of education, training and work experience that is equivalent to #1 and #2 above that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this job.

PREFERENCES

1. Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Public or Business Administration, or a related field.
2. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.