Finance Director

Summary Under general direction of the County Administrator, is responsible for financial management of the County and all subsidiary financial information systems developed and used in County departments. Individual will perform duties of County Auditor as prescribed by Wisconsin Statute and has free access to such books, accounts, bills, vouchers and receipts as often as may be necessary to perform the required duties. Performs related duties as required.

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Establishes or recommends major economic objectives and policies to the Administrative Services Committee and the County Board.

Provides accounting and statistical data to the County Administrator, the Administrative Services Committee, and Department Heads. Performs financial research and analysis, prepares costs for various county functions, and works with departments on financial concerns or problems.

Performs a variety of accounting and related reporting requirements.

Supervises and participates in the preparation and analysis of various financial statements and reports.

Assists in the development of the County budget. Meets with the County Administrator and Administrative Services Committee to establish procedure, format, and priorities desired in the preparation of the budget. Makes recommendations and attends meetings on budget requests and budget review committee meetings.

Recommends procedures and supervises the accounting functions and accounting personnel in all county departments. Specific duties include but are not limited to; supervises the accounting functions performed by employees; reviews job descriptions of positions that involve accounting functions; participates in hiring of employees who work with financial systems; and provides input to evaluations of employees that perform accounting functions.

Works closely with all departments as it relates to financial systems and procedures including supervising the maintenance of an updated policy and procedure manual, training employees, maintaining systems controls for all departments, and reviewing financial systems for possible improvements.

Administers and maintains the county property and liability insurance programs.

Examines and coordinates the processing of claims against the County.

Reviews contracts and grant proposals to determine that budgetary, financial and insurance requirements have been met.

Examines the books and accounts of boards, commissions, committees, trustees or other County officers or employees entrusted with the receipt, custody or expenditure of money.

Invests County funds and manages the County debt program.

Apportions the County tax and computes tax rate and levy.

It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Manages staff in the Finance Department, including an Accounting Manager. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Finance Department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Contributes to the selection and general supervision of employees who work with financial systems.

Typical Qualifications

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree with major in accounting from an accredited college or university required; master's degree in accounting or CPA; Five or more years of responsible governmental accounting and auditing experience, with budget management experience preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or County Board.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of accounting, inventory, payroll, and other related business accounting software; additional computer knowledge should include spreadsheet, word processing and database software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

None.

Other Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and procedures; and ability to apply and adapt established methods of a variety of accounting transactions by working with Department Heads and other employees.

Thorough knowledge of governmental accounting and auditing.

Thorough knowledge of record keeping required in maintaining departmental records and budgets; and ability to prepare clear and detailed reports.

Ability to establish and maintain effective public and working relationships.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.