Fiscal Manager II - Finance, Bureau of Pension and OPEB

Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making. 

What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.  
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!  
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs. 
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Plans, directs, and coordinates the work of the Bureau of Pension and OPEB within the Department of Finance to ensure that the bureau's work is completed in a timely and correct manner. Work also includes supervising the work of professional accountants engaged in operational and staff accounting assignments, resolving major program problems, and developing, evaluating and approving accounting projects and procedures. Requires evaluative thinking and carries out assignments in accordance with functional precedents, practices, and policies, as well as developing new methods of completing assignments by identifying and implementing regulated changes affecting assignments. The work includes responsible contacts with employees in other departments, other governmental agencies, and financial institutions. 

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$44.79 - $50.51
$93,155 - $105,061

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs management and advanced level financial administrative work under general supervision from an administrative superior. Work includes planning, organizing, and supervising the activities of a major financial bureau or assisting in the operational and administrative management of the Budget office; resolving major program problems; and developing, evaluating and implementing financial and budgeting programs and procedures. Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. 

• Coordinates the County's annual audit and works closely with the external auditors to ensure annual audits are carried out smoothly and completed on time. Prepares responses and identifies corrective action to be undertaken in response to internal and external audit findings. 
• Prepares annual budget for the Bureau of Pension and OPEB. 
• Assists in communicating County's and department's policies and procedures to staff and provide feedback to department supervisors. 
• Provides financial information and estimates to other agencies as required. 
• Reviews, monitors, and approves journal entries prepared by staff, including heath benefit 
• reconciliation/allocation, contribution transfer request, accruals, revenues and expenses entries to each Plan and investment activities to non-managed funds. 
• Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow and oversees the training of staff in all aspects relative to their jobs. 
• Acts as liaison with County coordinator for pension plans and pension trustee. 
• Reviews schedule of anticipated cash flows, works closely with the financial consultant to the Pension Plans for reinvestment of the surplus cash and provides Director of Finance with the final recommendations monthly. 
• Coordinates hiring/firing investment managers and associated cash movements 
• Acts as a liaison with investment managers for both Pension Plans regarding processing capital calls, distribution of funds and monthly and quarterly reports. 
• Oversees monthly close of the alternative investments with the custodian and reconcile the financial information on market value and cost basis for each fund for accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting. 
• Prepares annual budget and makes a presentation to the pension committees. 
• Works closely with the actuaries and financial consultants in regards to the implementation of accounting standards issued by Government Accounting Standard Board (GASB) and updates the annual statements to the previously issued standards for disclosure and reporting of net pension liability and other related information and fair value measurement of all investments. 
• Updates the County's financial system (SAP) upon completion of the quarterly reports and issuance of the audited annual statements. 
• Reviews notes and schedules for the ACFR. 
• For the 457 plan, tasks include overseeing relationship with investment advisor, coordinating fund lineup changes, preparing meeting minutes, and coordinating invoice payments through plan record keeper. 
• Stays abreast of new developments in Generally Accepted Accounting Standards, statements of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards. Research accounting issues as required. Determines the effect of new standards on financial statements and implements new standards as necessary. Provides recommendations for improving the bureau's operations and ensures all financial reporting deadlines are met. 
• Prepares bid documents (RFPs') for professional services and other procurements. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervises two (2) professional accountants engaged in operational and staff accounting functions. One of the two professional accountants supervises the other professional accountant in the Division. 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. Bachelor's Degree and five (5) years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor's Degree with major course work in accounting and experience in governmental accounting preferred. 
• Possess strong working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software packages. 
• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or other related professional certification is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
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. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

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. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis. 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.

Salary : $93,155 - $179,523