Chief Financial Officer

Under the direction of the County Administrator or designee, perform a variety of highly skilled and complex supervisory, professional, administrative and technical accounting, finance and managerial functions for the County requiring significant responsibility and independent judgment.

The mission of the Fiscal & Budget Office is to coordinate the preparation of the annual budget, monitor expenditures and revenues throughout the year against the budget, manage debt issuance and bond compliance, oversee accounting and reporting for grants, evaluate impact of proposed legislation, and prepare the year-end financial statements (and workpapers) for audit.

Coordinate the preparation of the County's annual budget

• Coordinate the County-wide budget process.

• Compile detailed financial information for preparation of the County budget to include revenue and expenditure growth, trends and projections.

• Analyze the effect changes in expenditures and revenue will have on the budget.

• Develop and administer procedures relating to the budget development and establishment of the County tax levy; assist in evaluating budget requests related to financial restraints.

• Prepare county budget document by compiling anticipated and actual expenditures and revenues; assist in evaluating requests for determination of approval/denial.

• Submit budget documents to the Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts when due.

Monitor expenditures and revenues throughout the year against the budget

• Review and examine departmental budgetary activities on an on-going basis to ensure compliance with budgetary constraints; notify departments and County Administration of any significant deviations.

• Monitor and analyze revenues, expenditures and fund balances by comparing them with budgeted and prior year amounts to ensure maintenance of liquidity of all funds; provide prompt attention and resolution to unanticipated situations.

• Prepare and distribute quarterly financial reports.

Manage debt issuance and bond compliance

• Coordinate debt financing for the County.

• Oversee and ensure compliance with regulations related to tax-exempt bonds.

• Complete annual bond compliance reports.

Oversee accounting and reporting for grants

• Oversee and manage the accounting and recordkeeping of grants awarded to the County.

Evaluate impact of proposed legislation

• Participate in legislative activities as directed by County Administration.

• Monitor policy decisions at the local, State and Federal level to determine their effect on the budget.

Prepare the year-end financial statements (and workpapers) for annual financial audit.

• Coordinate the audit of Sarpy County financial records

Other

• Serve as the advisor to the County Board on budgetary, fiscal, tax matters.

• Develop financial studies and plans; forecast, estimate, and monitor the financial condition of the County to ensure the fiscal health of the County.

• Develop financial policies and procedures to ensure best practice standards.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, vendors, contractors, other agencies, and the general public.

• Communicate official plans, policies, and procedures to staff and the general public.

• Provide financial and accounting assistance to department heads.

• Ensure that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; perform cost control activities; monitor revenues and expenditures in assigned area to ensure sound fiscal control; prepare annual budget requests; ensure effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.

• Analyze and project revenue streams and future financial needs and develop recommendations regarding County tax rates and the level of allowable expenditures during forecast period.

• Respond to verbal and written requests for financial information from outside sources, including but not limited to the news media and the general public.

• Establish and maintain internal control procedures and ensure that state and national standard accounting procedures are maintained within the County.

• Prepare a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes.

• Review county liability and worker's compensation insurance program, claims and coverage on an annual basis and make recommendations to the County Board to ensure adequate coverage.

• Prepare correspondence, reports, records and legal contracts, as applicable.

• Coordinate agenda, initiatives, and meetings for financial related committees, i.e. budget, audit.

• Monitor all County capital project expenditures.

Peripheral Duties

• Represent the county at various conferences and meetings. Participate on committees as appropriate; and attend job-related seminars and workshops.

• Perform other related duties as directed or assigned.

Education and Experience*

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business, public administration, or directly related field.

• Increasingly responsible bona fide work experience in a financial management position required *, which includes at least three (3) years of work experience supervising/managing paid subordinates.

Education or work experience beyond that required which provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered and                  substituted.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a local government Budget / Fiscal Administration Department.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of Government Accounts Standards Board (GASB) accounting standards and financial reporting

• Knowledge of:

• Internal control procedures and management information systems

• Computerized financial systems, software, and applications.

• Public finance and fiscal planning

• Budgetary, accounting and reporting systems

• Bond issuance procedures and regulations

• Auditing practices and procedures

• Working knowledge of contract management requirements and procedures

• Significant planning and organizational skills

• Well-developed communication skills

• Effective management skills

• Skill in the use of computers, technology and related software

• Ability to prepare and analyze complex financial reports

• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing as well as ability to conduct verbal presentations and training

• Ability to analyze complex problems, create reports, and interpret technical information as well as recommend alternative solutions

• Ability to apply problem solving methods and techniques to resolve organizational and interdepartmental issues

• Ability to process and maintain confidential and sensitive information and materials

• Ability to manage multiple and changing priorities, exercise considerable judgment, work under time constraints, and function during stressful situations

• Ability to prioritize work and carry-out assigned projects to completion

• Ability to work under pressure and/or frequent interruptions

• Ability to perform tasks with attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy

• Ability to operate standard office equipment including, but not limited to, multiline phone, computer, printer, scanner, copier, and fax.

The physical demands and work environment 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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit/remain stationary, talk, and hear (i.e. communicate / exchange information), and operate/manipulate equipment (e.g. use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls).   The employee is occasionally required to walk/move about, stand (i.e. remain upright), stoop, bend, climb, kneel (i.e. position self), and reach.

• Required sensory abilities include vision and hearing.  Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close and color vision as well as the ability to adjust focus.  Communication abilities include the ability to talk (i.e. verbal exchange / exchange information) and hear (i.e. exchange information accurately) within normal ranges.  Incumbent must be able to exert sustained concentration for several hours at a time.

• Work is typically performed indoors in an office setting. Work hours may include evenings, early mornings, weekends, call-ins, and holidays. Work may be fast-paced when dealing with multiple priorities and/or time constraints. The noise level is typically quiet to moderate.