Finance Director

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Finance Director is the Chief Financial Officer of Wabasha County and is responsible for developing, formulating and implementing fiscal and accounting policies and procedures for all County departments to assure compliance with all laws, rules and guidelines, and to ensure accounting procedures and records conform to sound and generally acceptable accounting principles and practices.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes and directs the County’s financial management program, including investment of funds, accounting and revenue administration, and advising the Administrator and County Commission regarding County financial matters.

 Provides prudent management and investment of all County funds in accordance with County policy and State and Federal laws, regulations and rules. Manages the County’s investment portfolio and pledged collateral portfolio.

 Manages all fiscal accounting performed by County departments, including the combined general ledger, accounts receivable and payable, and all specialized accounting applications and programs. Assigns general ledger codes and directs all accounting procedures in accordance with generally accepted rules, regulations and policies.

Formulates policies and procedures to increase the effectiveness of County fiscal management practices.

 Evaluates existing County accounting methodology, determines when policies, procedures, new accounting controls or methods are needed and recommends same to the County Commission.

Prepares financial statements and fiscal reports detailing the fiscal and financial status of the County and its programs. Presents financial statements and reports to the County Commission and provides clarification and implications of the reports.

 Administers the County’s debt management policies and procedures, including analysis of debt capacity, new debt and refunding opportunities, issuance, administration, compliance of arbitrage restrictions and bond covenants.

 With selected Department Heads, cooperatively supervises accounting personnel assigned to remote departments.

 Manages fixed assets and inventory accounting system in accordance with County, State and Federal laws, regulations and rules.

 Prepares, or has prepared, required State reports and financial report for publication, including budgets, levy, grant and audit responses.

 Responsible for preparation of the annual County budget, working with the Administrator, Department Heads, outside agencies, staff, and Commissioners in determining the process, format, content and validity of budgetary requests and materials.

 Coordinates the annual audit with State Auditors, responding to all audit requests and audit findings, works with the auditors throughout the year to minimize accounting problems.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Minimum of a High School education with a Bachelors’ Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or related field and five (5) years related experience, preferably in the public sector, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties listed above.

A Masters Degree, and/or CPA certification are preferable, but not required.
MINIMUM ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Working knowledge of:

• Accounting theory, principles, practices and procedures;
• Management fundamental, practices and principles;
• Budgeting practices and principles;
• Computer operation, accounting software applications, and general office applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation applications;
• Public sector accounting practices and procedures;
• Instruction, direction, coordination, training and work assignment to subordinates;
• Accounting report and financial statement preparation, development and interpretation:
• Budgetary and fiscal planning;
• Formulation, development, and implementation of accounting controls, procedures and policies:
• Conflict resolution methodology;
• Interpersonal communication techniques as they apply to interaction with supervisor, co-workers, subordinates, general public, and other governmental entities. 

Physical Requirements:

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment, including a PC, calculator, copier, cash register and multi-line telephone system.

Must be able to exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force routinely to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Physical demand requirements are at the levels necessary for sedentary or office environment work .

Licensing Requirements:

Valid driver’s license.

 Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication:

Ability to read professional, technical and administrative financial documentation, directions, instructions, methods and procedures.

Ability to prepare properly formatted reports, financial documents and correspondence, with proper spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Ability to make persuasive oral presentations on complex and controversial topics to top management, other governmental entities, public groups, and the County Commission.

Ability to communicate with others to convey or exchange professional information or a complex and technical nature.

Ability to interact with others beyond giving and receiving instructions, demonstrating tact, diplomacy, and good listening skills.

Environmental Adaptability:

Work is normally performed in a quiet office environment. Accountants are located in five (5) remote locations in the City of Wabasha, requiring travel by foot or automobile to these locations in all weather conditions.

Headaches, eyestrain, carpal tunnel and related occupational hazards associated with computer work offer the most common potential for injury.

Supervision of Others:

Supervises the Financial Assistant and jointly supervises accountants in the Auditor/Treasurer Office, County Highway, Public Health, Payroll and Social Services Departments. These individuals also perform non-accounting duties within their assigned departments.

The Finance Director supervises and is responsible for all accountants while they are performing accounting duties: the respective Department Heads are responsible for and supervise the accountant’s actions and work assignments for all non-accounting related functions.

The Finance Director coordinates with respective Department Heads in hiring, transfer, promotion, disciplinary action, work assignments and direction.

Consequences of Error:

The finance Director position is highly responsible for the financial well-being of Wabasha County. Errors in fiscal management by the Finance Director could result in significant financial loss, reduced trust in county government, and embarrassment to the County and County Board of Commissioners.  Inappropriate investments could result in reduced revenue or loss of principal. Errors in adopted and implemented policy and procedure could cause inefficiency and ineffectiveness that could take years to detect and correct. Some work is checked by annual audit but most work is not checked.

Behavior Standard:

Maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner so that you get along with clients, co-workers, and management.