Description

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class plans and administers the process for the receiving, disbursing, and accounting of revenues and expenditures for the County.   Work involves supervision of the budget, purchasing, accounting, collections, billing, cash investments, and payroll operations.  Employee performs specialized accountant level work in the preparation and analysis of financial reports, investment of funds, and posting of revenues.  The employee must exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative in planning and directing the fiscal control system.  Work is performed in accordance with established County finance procedures, local ordinances and North Carolina General Statutes governing the responsibilities of local government fiscal operations.  Finance Director works in an office setting and is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.  Work is performed under the general supervision of the County Manager and is evaluated through conferences, reports, and an independent audit of financial records.

Duties and Responsibilities

 Plans, organizes, and supervises the operations of the Finance Department, including disbursement and accounting of County funds, preparation of the payroll and maintenance of payroll and time records, and preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
Supervises a staff of assistant, purchasing and technician positions; performs typical supervisory functions.
Assists the County Manager with a variety of tasks in projecting, developing, and working with annual budget process.
Coordinates projects with information systems staff; defines software needs; monitors program; supervises establishment of records on computer.
Coordinates annual general operating and capital improvements budgets; works with each department head to project revenues and expenditures; reviews departmental budget requests for accuracy and justification of resource allocation and expenditures; works with the County Manager and the Board of Commissioners in directing the formation of County financial policies and in the final preparation of the budget.
Prepares a variety of fiscal and related accounting reports and records and files with appropriate governmental agencies, boards or commissions.
Manages the receipt and investment of all revenues.
Reviews and monitors on-going administration of budget, accounting and billing processes; reviews budget systems and develops methods for improvement.
Assists the auditors during the annual audit of the County financial records; following up on findings to improve financial systems.
Submits to the Manager and the Board of Commissioners periodic statements of the financial condition of the County; reviews each department's revenue and expenditure reports and analyzes actions, discusses actions and documents rationale and justification for actions; requests additional funds and transfers from the Commissioners.
Finance Officer

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of North Carolina General Statutes and of local ordinances governing County financial practices and procedures.
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public finance administration, including principles and practices of governmental accounting.
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of County purchasing and payroll systems.
Ability to evaluate financial systems and formulate and install accounting methods, procedures, forms and records.
Ability to supervise, organize, and evaluate the work of subordinate employees in the specialized field of accounting in an automated environment.
Ability to design and prepare analytical and interpretative financial statements.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, department heads, governmental officials, and with other employees.
Ability to conduct long range fiscal planning.
Accuracy and thoroughness in the analysis and preparation of financial records and reports.
 

Additional duties

Attends a variety of meetings related to fiscal matters.
Signs purchase orders for the County.
Performs related duties as required.
 

Physical Requirements

Must be able to perform the basic life operational skills of stooping, reaching, walking, lifting, fingering, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
Must be able to perform sedentary work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force 
occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, accounting, to operate a computer terminal, and extensive reading at distances close to the eyes.
 

MINIMUM Education and Experience

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in business, preferably supplemented with a masters degree in business or public administration and considerable experience in public finance administration including some supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.