GUILFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Empower Successful People to thrive in a Strong Community supported by Quality Government

Description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES Manages financial analysis and planning and bank reconciliation functions in the Finance Department.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the financial analysis and planning, and the bank reconciliation functions for the Finance Department. Emphasis of the work is on supervising professional financial and accounting staff engaged in financial analysis, financial reporting, and fund management as well as contract review. A key role is to ensure the completion and filing of financial and accounting reports in accordance with the established due dates as well as ensuring legal and reporting requirements of outside agencies are met. Special assignments are typically received from the Finance Director, or Deputy Director, and the employee is expected to function independently to accomplish projects or assignments with limited guidance. Work may also be professionally reviewed through comments from The NC Local Government Commission, reviews of the County financial statement (ACFR), as well as the Government Finance Officers Association via their issuance of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the County.

Examples of Duties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Supervises professional, technical, and clerical staff; assigns duties, controls workflow, conducts performance evaluations, provides individual and group training, and makes recommendations regarding the compensation of employees; makes recommendations on transfers, suspension, discipline, or removal when necessary, including the adjustment of employee grievances and complaints.
• Oversees the planning and reporting of major reports such as: Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), County Wide and Law enforcement Indirect Cost Allocation plans, County Schedule of Expenditures of Federal and State Awards, Annual Financial Information Report (AFIR) filed with the NC Local Government Commission, and the Revenue and Expenditure Projections and Fund Balance Projection for the Budget and Management Services Department.
• Provides consistency and quality control from a County-wide perspective over individual department reporting.
• Provides professional guidance and input for the development of the Official Statement of financial positions in instances of issuing bonds; prepares assignments and reviews financial data for the annual Continuing Disclosure Requirements.
• Maintains the County’s internal financial reporting system structure and coding requirements sufficient to enable departments to report grant activity to granting agencies.
• Provides a structure that enables Finance to report in accordance with GAAP as required by law, bond rating agencies, investors, and to provide a vehicle for the allocation of interest income to funding sources that require allocation.
• Analyzes the needs of the departments for updates to the County ERP and authorizes changes; review reports to determine effect of changes.
• Maintains County accounting records in concert with the Accounting Manager and Cash and Debt Manager.
• Reconciles various accounts to the general ledger.
• Reviews daily reports and approve corrections.
• Computes, monitors and/or reconciles fund balances in compliance with GASB Statement 54.
• Reconciles and monitors transfers between funds by reviewing financial reporting system reports and preparing, reviewing, and authorizing month end and year end closing entries, and appropriate reversals; computed and adjusts the allowance for doubtful tax and accounts receivable accounts; prepares and/or authorizes other adjustments as necessary.
• Serves in the capacity of the Deputy Finance Director or Finance Director as required; may also serve in the capacity or have oversight of the duties of the Cash and Debt Manager, Accounting Manager, Financial Analysts, and/or Treasurer during their absence.
• Completes special projects as assigned by the Board and/or County Manager through the Finance Director including Special projects internal to the goals of the Finance Department.
• Remains aware of changes in federal, state, and reporting agency rules and requirements; interprets changes and make recommendations for action to management and Budget Department staff.
• Incorporates financial reporting changes into operational practices to ensure confidence in the County’s accounting and financial analysis process by investors, bond rating agencies, independent auditors, and others.
• Manages the reconciliation of County bank accounts to the GL on a monthly basis.

RECRUITMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Advanced knowledge of governmental accounting principles, guidelines, laws, and regulations; sufficient to plan, organize and manage the work of professional and paraprofessional staff. Considerable knowledge of N.C. General Statute 159 Local Government Budget & Fiscal Control Act, Guilford County Budget Ordinance and Amendments, and Federal and State laws applicable to grants, the Single Audit, Cost Allocation Plans, and related regulations. Considerable knowledge of statements, interpretations, and guidelines provided by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), the GFOA Governmental Accounting, Auditing & Financial Reporting blue book (GAAFR), and other professional standards, guides and literature. Knowledge of the financial reporting system, and guidelines provided in the County purchasing manual. Skill using a personal computer and calculator sufficient to use e-mail and word processing communications, design, and maintain complex financial spreadsheets and presentations, and prepare assignments on major reporting projects. Skill in organization, management, and interpersonal communications to manage the work of others, provide information, and/or comprehend requests. Ability to interpret and apply accounting principles, guidelines, laws, and regulations. Ability to make decisions independently, sufficient to perform all the essential functions of the job. Ability to analyze and evaluate a financial problem and solve or make alternative recommendations involving special projects for the Board or Manager as well as recognizing and correcting problem situations throughout the year. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals and groups to discuss or explain complex financial data or requirements in term they can understand.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field and four years of experience in auditing or preparation of financial statements, with at least one year of supervisory or lead experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in preparing NC governmental financial compliance reports or annual comprehensive financial reports compliant with GASB pronouncements. Experience in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) Experience with the Munis, (Infor) Lawson, or other comparable ERP financial software. North Carolina Certified Public Accountant licensed by the North Carolina Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners, or eligible for a reciprocal license. Certification as NC Certified Local Government Finance Officer or GFOA Certified Public Finance Officer.

Supplemental Information

May Require Driving This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria. If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

Special Note This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions. Guilford County is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to employees and applicants for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or political affiliation. The County is committed to complying with all applicable federal, state and local laws that pertain to employment, and to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination of any kind. If you need an auxiliary aide, make the request forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the time the accommodation is needed by calling 336-641-3324.