ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Assists the Director of Finance in planning, directing, and administering work pertaining to the management of financial resources of an entire municipality, county, or autonomous agency; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• May assist in analyzing budget requests.
• May assist in determining the amount of money involved in proposed salary changes.
• May review requisitions for appropriateness of expenditure of funds, and follow up on questioned vouchers and requisitions.
• Authorizes the disbursement of funds.
• May assist in reviewing budget practices, and performing research to make the budget a more meaningful document.
• May assist in directing the preparation of the budget.
• Ensures adherence to contractual obligations.
• Assigns and supervises work of subordinates.
• May compile difficult and other statements and reports using basic data.
• May assist in directing the preparation of annual financial statements and reports required by law or contracts.
• May conduct periodic studies to determine effectiveness of current financial control methods.
• May assist in directing activities pertaining to disbursement and collection of funds, and installation of a uniform system of accounts and accounting procedures.
• May assist in developing and maintaining an accounting system.
• May assist in preparing the annual debt statement according to law.
• May prepare supplemental debt statements according to local bond law and municipal bond ordinances.
• May assist in administering the municipal debt sale of bond anticipation notes and bonds, and in preparing financial and statistical data and the bond sale prospectus.
• May prepare resolutions to transfer monies from one account to another.
• May prepare budget amendments.
• Works with data processing staff to revise or establish new operational procedures.
• May maintain a running analysis of accounts.
• Supervises and performs highly responsible accounting work involved in installation, operation, and auditing of accounts.
• May assist in difficult inspections of varied financial transactions and records to ensure that regulations and accounting procedures are observed.
• Maintains or supervises the maintenance of accounting records and files.
• Manages work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluation and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Budgeting, Finance, Economics, or Public or Business Administration.

Experience

Four (4) years of supervisory experience in functional areas of financial management such as accounting, budgeting, auditing, or financial or fiscal analysis.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures used in budgeting, accounting, internal auditing, program evaluation, and financial and managerial reporting.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing installation, operation, and keeping of accounts and their application to specific situations.
• Knowledge of the preparation of involved, detailed accounting and other financial reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Knowledge of government budgeting problems, practices, and methods and their application to specific situations. Ability to utilize principles, methods, techniques, and systems of financial management.
• Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate difficult, complex financial programs.
• Ability to assist in developing, applying, and adjusting financial plans and policies to attain objectives.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management.
• Ability to apply sound, independent judgment in the solutions of financial problems and in administration of financial programs.
• Ability to make oral and written presentations in a clear, concise manner.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Possession of a current, valid certificate as a Municipal Finance Officer issued by the NJ Department of Community Affairs may be substituted for the education requirement.