Pay rate: $110,000 – $125,000 Annually
Job Description
Walker County is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee all financial functions of the County. The CFO will lead the planning, implementation, and management of all finance-related activities, including budgeting, accounting, forecasting, investments, auditing, and financial reporting. The ideal candidate will ensure compliance with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and other relevant regulations while supporting transparency and fiscal responsibility in county operations. This position manages direct reports in the finance department.
Essential Job Functions:
- Oversee all financial functions of Walker County, including general accounting, budgeting, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, procurement, grants, and investments.
- Develop and implement financial strategies and policies to ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of the County.
- Lead the preparation and management of the County’s annual budget in coordination with department heads and the County Administrator.
- Ensure all financial activities comply with GASB standards, as well as applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
- Prepare and present accurate, timely, and transparent financial reports, including the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
- Direct the annual external audit process and manage relationships with external auditors.
- Analyze financial trends, forecasts, and data to inform executive decision-making.
- Monitor cash flow, manage debt, and oversee investment strategies in alignment with County goals.
- Provide leadership, training, and supervision to finance department staff, promoting professional development and performance excellence.
- Work closely with elected officials, department heads, and community stakeholders to align financial planning with strategic objectives.
- Participate in contract negotiations, grant compliance, and financial policy development.
- Represent the County in financial matters with government agencies, external partners, and the public.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
- Knowledge of local government financing, accounting, and budgeting.
- Knowledge of strategic planning methods with an emphasis on services related to financial management.
- Experience in management and supervising include hiring, coaching, team building and performance management.
- Knowledge of financial investment concepts and practices.
- Knowledge in debt management concepts and practices.
- Proficient financial analysis, forecasting and budgeting practices.
- Proficiency in GASB standards and governmental accounting practices.
- Knowledge of Governmental Grants for both State and Federal.
- Expert in keeping a general ledger.
- Skill in management, leadership, negotiation, and communications.
- Skill in building relationship and communicating, effectively and tactfully with difficult customers and complex customer issues.
- Ability to establish and maintain respectful and harmonious relationships with others both inside and outside the organization.
- Ability to perform effectively in an independent or team environment, as well as display self-motivation skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with coworkers, departments and other agencies.
- Ability to recognize and keep sensitive information confidential.
- Ability to develop reports and make presentations that may include technical information.
- Ability to manage records and information in any format, in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations and County policy, guidance and records retention schedule.
Additional skills:
- Knowledge of county and state procurement rules and compliance with County procurement standards
- Knowledge of various state and local funding mechanisms, including, but not limited to, Local Option Sales Tax (LOST), Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST), Occupancy Tax (Hotel/Motel), Property Tax Relief Sales Tax, etc.
- Serve as Point of Contact on State and Federal grants; file all necessary documentation for reimbursements, quarterly reports, etc. all in terms of carrying out the financial accountability of each grant
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field required; master’s degree or CPA preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in governmental finance or accounting.
- At least 2 years in a senior financial leadership role, preferably in a local government setting.
Physical Demands
These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Chief Financial Officer. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential function of this job.
- Regularly spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers
- Regularly move from sitting to standing positions effortlessly
- Regularly spend long hours in intense concentration reviewing and entering financial information into a computer
- Regularly use hands and fingers to handle, control or feel objects
- Regularly see details of objects that are less than a few feet away
- Regularly speak clearly so listeners can understand
- Regularly understand the speech of another person
- Frequently work in on projects that require deadlines
- Frequently bend to file and maintain files
- Occasionally lift 5-10 pounds.
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely involves standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is usually exposed to a noise level that is low to moderate. This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Standards for Measuring Performance
- Successful development and implementation of objectives; continuous growth in service provided.
- Appropriate and positive interaction with staff, management, volunteers, community groups and professional associates.
- Accomplishment of job functions in effective and timely manner.
- Proficiency in oral and written communication.
- Effectiveness in establishing priorities, working on multiple assignments and concurrent projects.
- Exercise of sound judgment in the absence of specific guidelines.
- Demonstrated ability to thoroughly analyze problems; to meet demanding and changing deadlines in spite of interruptions.
- Achievement of budgeted expense goals.
- Adherence to established policies and procedures.