DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Career Family: DIRECTOR
There is no civil service exam for Director of Finance. As a non-competitive local-government title, it is filled on the strength of meeting the listed qualifications.
The requirements come down to a bachelor's degree and 5 years of relevant experience.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Director of Finance is used at 5 independent authorities.
Independent authorities
Where this title is used
Director of Finance is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
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
Under direction, plans, directs, and administers all work pertaining to the management of the financial resources of an entire municipality, county, or autonomous agency; does related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This position involves directing an entire financial management program which encompasses coordinating and synthesizing all functional activities associated with budget preparation, accounting, financial analysis, managerial financial reporting, cost benefit analysis, and auditing.
The work involves the review, analysis, evaluation, and reporting on program accomplishments in financial terms, the comparison of program performance with operating plans and standards as reflected in financial data, and reporting on and interpreting financial information with the objective of promoting efficiency and economy in terms of the results or program benefits as compared to monetary expenditures.
The function of this position also involves responsibility for developing, coordinating, and implementing financial policies, procedures, and plans as well as the development, coordination, and maintenance of a comprehensive system for the analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of financial data to provide management with effective financial control.
Examples of work
- Analyzes budget requests.
- Determines the amount of money involved in proposed salary changes.
- Reviews all requisitions for appropriateness of expenditure of funds, and does follow-up on all questioned vouchers and requisitions.
- Authorizes the disbursement of funds.
- Reviews budget practices, and performs research to make the budget a more meaningful document.
- Directs the preparation of the budget.
- Assures adherence to contractual obligations. Assigns and supervises the work of subordinates.
- Compiles difficult and other statements and reports using basic data.
- Directs the preparation of annual financial statements and reports required by law or contracts.
- Conducts periodic studies to determine the effectiveness of current financial control methods.
- Directs all activities pertaining to the disbursement and collection of funds, and the installation of a uniform system of accounts and accounting procedures.
- Develops and maintains an accounting system.
- Prepares the annual debt statement according to law.
- Prepares supplemental debt statements according to local bond law and municipal bond ordinances.
- Administers the municipal debt sale of bond anticipation notes and bonds, the preparation of necessary financial and statistical data, and the bond sale prospectus.
- Prepares resolutions to transfer monies from one account to another.
- Prepares budgets 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 the installation, operation, and auditing of accounts.
- Makes difficult inspections of varied financial transactions and records to ensure that regulations and accounting procedures are observed.
- Supervises the maintenance of essential accounting records and files.
- Manages the 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.
- May 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 with a Bachelor's degree in accounting, budgeting, finance, economics, or public or business administration.
Experience
Five (5) 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 the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the principles, methods, and procedures used in budgeting, accounting, internal auditing, program evaluation, and financial and managerial reporting.
- Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations governing the installation, operation, and keeping of accounts and their application to specific situations.
- Knowledge of the preparation of involved and detailed accounting and other financial reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Knowledge of modern 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 the administration of financial programs.
- Ability to make oral and written presentations in a clear, concise manner.
- Ability to learn 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, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the 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 the 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.
- Code: LG- CAH 12/14/93
- THIS SPECIFICATION IS FOR COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT USE ONLY.
Note
Possession of a current, valid certificate as a Municipal Finance Officer issued by the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services may be substituted for the above education requirement.