CERTIFIED COUNTY FINANCE OFFICER

Code: 07806 Unknown Unknown

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, manages, controls, and directs the fiscal work and employees involved therin of a county government, and serves as a financial advisor; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in this class are responsible for: (1) developing, coordinating, and maintaining an integrated system of financial staff services including accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting; (2) exercising control over the financial resources of the county; (3) coordinating and synthesizing financial and management data to interpret the composite financial results of operations; (4) developing, coordinating, and carrying out financial policies, procedures, and plans; (5) reviewing, analyzing, evaluating, and reporting on program accomplishments in financial terms; and (6) advising and assisting elected and management officials by supplying financial management advice required to make fiscally sound management decisions, establish organizational goals and objectives, and manage the county.

Examples of work

• Organizes and manages the financial affairs of a county; controls the receipt and/or disbursement of funds.
• Supervises and performs professional functions involved in the analyses and audits of accounts, vouchers, and other records; prepares statements concerning the financial condition of the county.
• Provides technical guidance in reviewing, analyzing, evaluating, and reporting on program accomplishments in financial terms.
• Compares performance with operating plans and standards as reflected in financial data.
• Reports on and interprets financial data with the objective of promoting economy and efficiency in the execution of programs.
• Develops, coordinates, and executes financial policies, procedures, and plans.
• Develops, coordinates, and maintains an integrated system of financial staff services including the syntheses of data and efficient information flow to provide the necessary financial control for the organization.
• Serves as a technical advisor on financial problems and other related matters.
• Manages work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
• Prepares various financial reports and analyses for the advice and guidance of administrators and other officials.
• Oversees the establishment and maintenance of a fixed assets schedule.
• Prepares, audits, and edits reports of costs and financial summaries and statements.
• Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Reviews disbursements and controls to ensure adherence to contractual obligations.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
• Establishes economic and financial objectives, internal operating policies, and procedures.
• Plans projects or programs and recommends changes to existing operations.
• Estimates budgetary needs and allocates resources appropriately.
• Prepares annual budget for the county in accordance with established procedures and policies; oversees and provides assistance to staff responsible for developing specific components of the budget.
• Forecasts budgetary increases/reductions based upon an analysis of goals and needs, and anticipated growth and development.
• Monitors expenditures against allocations to ensure disbursements do not exceed authorized funding levels.
• Develops recommended cost containment plans to ensure efficient fiscal administration.
• Maximizes revenues by ensuring proper state/federal reimbursements.
• Develops and maintains a system of accounts consistent with the policies, procedures, and requirements of the county and applicable state/federal statutes and rules.
• Conducts and arranges for the conduct of periodic audits and inspections of varied financial transactions and records.
• Prepares and supervises the preparation of required fiscal, statistical, budget, and financial reports.
• Analyzes fiscal/statistical management reports.
• Establishes and supervises the maintenance of suitable budgetary controls.
• Ensures that financial operations are in accord with all legal requirements.
• Performs or directs the performance of cost analyses and recommends changes.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or other appropriate area.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience as a county finance officer.

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, internal control, program evaluation, and financial management.
• Knowledge of supervisory principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used to prepare detailed accounting and other financial reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Knowledge of modern government budgeting, accounting, and financial problems, practices and methods, and their application to specific situations.
• Knowledge of the methods used to prevent, discover, and correct discrepancies in financial records.
• Knowledge of the types of records and systems used to maintain accounts of financial transactions.
• Ability to organize and manage financial affairs, and control the receipt and disbursement of funds.
• Ability to analyze complex financial problems.
• Ability to develop, coordinate, and execute financial policies, procedures, and plans.
• Ability to develop, apply, and adjust financial plans and policies to achieve organization objectives.
• Ability to provide technical advice and guidance on financial problems and other related matters.
• Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
• Ability to forecast budgetary increases/reductions, estimate budgetary needs, and allocate resources accordingly.
• Ability to prepare the annual budget in accordance with established procedures and to provide guidance to others who assist in this process.
• Ability to monitor expenditures against allocations.
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare clear, sound, and accurate reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Ability to conduct audits.
• 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.
• CODES: JMR 2/23/95
• THIS SPECIFICATION IS FOR COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT USE ONLY.

Note

All appointees to this position must obtain certification by the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services. An examination for this process is held annually. All applicants must be 21 years of age and a US citizen, and meet the requirements listed below. Appointees may serve for only a single three (3) year term.

Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute either:

Four (4) years of experience as a county finance officer.

OR

Sixty (60) college credits and two (2) years of experience as a county finance officer.

The statute defines a county finance officer as a county director of finance, assistant director of finance, fiscal officer, comptroller, assistant comptroller, treasurer, assistant treasurer, deputy treasurer, or other position involved in the day-to- day conduct of fiscal operations of a county government who is not a member of the governing body of the county.

CERTIFICATE

Applicant must present completion of the following courses conducted by Rutgers, the State University: municipal finance administration, municipal current fund accounting 1 and 2, municipal capital and trust fund accounting, municipal budget preparation and control, county fiscal operations, principles of financial management, and preparation of the annual financial statement.