MUNICIPAL FINANCE AUDITOR 1
Career Family: MUNICIPAL FINANCE AUDITOR
New Jersey treats Municipal Finance Auditor 1 as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
This is the senior rung of the Municipal Finance Auditor series, the level you reach after Municipal Finance Auditor 2. The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY 2027 range lands between $79,844 and $117,228, and state payroll currently lists 4 people in the title, most of them at Community Affairs.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Municipal Finance Auditor 1 appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Community Affairs.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Community Affairs | 4 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Municipal Finance Auditor series
- Municipal Finance Auditor 3 — $60,876 – $88,743
- Municipal Finance Auditor 2 — $69,668 – $101,951
- Municipal Finance Auditor 1 — $79,844 – $117,228 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 63rd percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 4 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $104,234. The agencies employing the most are:
- Community Affairs (4)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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 of a Supervising Municipal Finance Auditor or other supervisory official in the Division of Local Government Services, Department of Community Affairs, may supervise and/or conduct audits of municipalities, counties and authorities; reviews audits conducted by Registered Municipal Accountants; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Examines larger, more complex municipal budgets of over $20 million and their financial statements Learns to independently examine county budgets Performs statutory audits of municipalities, counties, and authorities Reviews municipal, county, and authority audit reports performed by division staff Prepares municipal and county budgets and financial statements as required Examines and reviews the work performed by Registered Municipal Accountants Reviews emergency resolutions and other budget amendments May supervise work operations and/or functional programs May take the lead over lower level auditors in providing guidance, reviewing work, and/or serving as a mentor Prepares cap calculation reports and single audit reviews Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates. Provides technical assistance and advice to Registered Municipal Accountants and to municipal and county officials on matters pertaining to municipal and county accounting, auditing, and budgeting Provides interpretation of various laws, rules, and regulations of the Division of Local Government Services to municipal and county officials, Registered Municipal Accountants, and others interested in the work of the division Conducts special field and office investigations and audits as required and prepares detailed reports thereof Prepares reports for Local Finance Board applications Reviews Transitional Aid applications Assists in the review of Fire District and Authority budgets Prepares replies to inquiries made by concerned taxpayers regarding municipal and county financial matters. Assigns, instructs, and supervises the work performance of designated staff. Assists in seminars and meetings with municipal officials Prepares official correspondence Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and detailed reports of audits and examinations containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations Maintains essential records, reports, and files 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
License
Appointee 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 provisions of the Local Bond Law, Local Budget Law, Local Fiscal Affairs Law, Local Public Contracts Law and Title 40 of New Jersey Annotated Statutes, "Municipalities and Counties" after a period of training Knowledge of the principles, methods, and procedures used in local government auditing Knowledge of the proper form and content of financial statements and audits Knowledge of the financial procedures and methods used to determine, discover, and/or correct errors or discrepancies in financial documents and records Ability to organize and assign work to subordinate auditors and clerical workers Ability to provide guidance and instruction to staff Ability to analyze and interpret applicable laws, rules, and regulations and apply them to specific cases Ability to compile, review, analyze, and interpret complex municipal, county, and authority financial data Ability to review and suggest improvements in complex local government accounting and auditing problems and develop and prescribe effective solutions Ability to compose correspondence relating to inquiries received from concerned taxpayers. Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate and informative audit, budget, financial, and other closely related reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files 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 essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 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 class specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester-hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Seven (7) years of professional experience in municipal or county budgeting,fiscal administration, and audit procedures, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester-hour credits in accounting. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester-hour credits in accounting; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possesion of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Registered Municipal Accountant issued by the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a Master's degree in Accounting; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.