Budget Director

Okaloosa County; Shalimar (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Okaloosa County is seeking a budget director to plan, organize and supervise the Office of Management and Budget. The role requires strong leadership, fiscal acumen and the ability to communicate complex financial information to elected officials and the public.

The successful candidate will prepare and monitor the county budget, oversee grants and purchasing, and help develop long-range financial plans while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and eight years in governmental accounting, budgeting or related fields.
• Minimum eight years in governmental accounting, budgeting or related fields.
• Three years in supervisory/management capacity required.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes and directs activities of the Office of Management and Budget.
• Prepares and monitors countywide budget and capital program.
• Forecasts revenues; analyzes data and trends.
• Develops and implements financial policies and controls.
• Prepares reports and presents findings to officials and the public.

Skills

Excel

Word

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or Public Administration

Job description

Plans, organizes and directs the activities and operations of the Office of Management and Budget. Prepares and monitors budget; assists in the development, coordination and implementation of countywide financial policies, programs and strategies aimed at ensuring transparent and accountable County operations. Directs the County’s Grants Administration and Purchasing divisions.

• Manages and supervises staff to include assignment, scheduling, interviewing/hiring, training and development, and discipline; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment.
• Organizes, prepares and maintains annual county-wide budget, capital budget and capital program under direction of the County Administrator to include TRIM compliance; serves as subject matter expert to commissioners and staff on budget and financial activities.
• Forecasts County revenues, to include reviewing and analyzing statistical data, historical receipts, and/or correlation coefficients; recognizing internal and/or external economic variables; identifying and analyzing trends versus aberrant data.
• Analyzes proposed budget amendments; makes appropriate implementations.
• Assists with managing the County’s debt service program, including identifying and determining available and eligible funds to repay outstanding County debt obligations.
• Prepares electronic records and reports; creates charts and graphs; develops visual aids; makes verbal presentations to elected officials and the public in public meetings, via radio and television, and to other stake-holder groups as needed.
• Conducts research, makes recommendations and assists with implementation of financial consolidation, organizational structure improvements, and development of strong financial controls, best practices and management across all functions and complex departmental and county-wide financial operations.
• Assists with managing County finances related to cash flow, reserve requirements, alternative funding strategies, cost-benefit analyses, pro formas, return on investments, and/or other related items.
• Works with County officials and staff to improve internal controls, minimize fraud, document best practices, conduct audits, risk assessments, and ensure grants compliance.
• Conducts reviews of internal policies, procedures and practices, accounts, grants, contracts, revenue collection, purchasing, disbursements, inventory as well as facilities and equipment management, and makes recommendations for optimum operational efficiency.
• Investigates and determines causes of irregularities and errors; recommends necessary corrective or preventative internal control measures in county-wide or department operations; assists departments with implementation of best practices and recommendations, as appropriate, by providing training and other support.
• Develops internal control policies, processes and procedures and makes recommendations accordingly.
• Determines whether the organization is performing its financial, custodial, accounting or control activities in compliance with policies, procedures, standards, laws and regulations, and in a manner consistent with objectives and standards of administrative practices and applicable federal, state and local laws and ordinances.
• Assists in the preparation of the strategic plan, long-range capital plans, cost estimates and financing plans.
• Administers and supervises the MSBU / MSTU program to include creating and dissolving MSBUs; analyzing and assessing rate structures and methods; determining appropriate collection methods; determining appeal methods; identifying appropriate utilization of collected funds.
• Facilitates and participates in task forces, committees or work groups; provides training for a variety of budget and compliance functions.
• Reads, analyzes and summarizes internal and external audits/reports and monitors departmental implementation of the recommendations therein; provides written reports and presentations to County Administration and the Board as requested.
• May receive complaints, allegations and/or suggestions regarding improper use of County property or resources and directs them to the appropriate County department or official.
• Coordinates special audits with externally contracted firms or others as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Training, and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or Public Administration or closely-related field supplemented by a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting, budgeting, internal auditing practices or organizational analysis, three (3) years of which must be in a supervisory/management capacity, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word required. Strong analytical, accounting, and verbal communication skills required. Experience as a Budget Manager or Director in a governmental or municipal organization is preferred.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

Requires a valid driver license. Certified Public Accountant, Certified Public Finance Officer or Certified Government Finance Officer certification is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Requires the ability to operate office equipment, to include computer, copy/fax machines, and any related peripherals. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. This position requires prolonged periods of sitting/standing in one position for periods of time. Physical demands are essentially those of sedentary work.

Language Ability:

Must be able to read a variety of records, reports, policy and procedure manuals, codes, professional journals, etc., in moderately complex to highly technical terminology. Requires the ability to read, interpret, and develop policies and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare forms and reports using prescribed formats, and adhering to all rules of grammar, spelling, diction, and punctuation. Requires the ability to communicate effectively in English, and in the various professional languages relevant to cost accounting and accounts management activities.

Intelligence:

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical and scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to interpret a variety of technical instructions in written, mathematical or diagrammatic form; to make independent judgments; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Requires the application of moderate to long range planning principles and techniques and application of principles of influence systems and synthesis functions.

Numerical Aptitude:

Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, multiply and divide, use decimals and calculate percentages, to determine weight; compute discount, profit and loss, ratio and proportion; interpret graphs.

Interpersonal Temperament:

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with frequent deadlines. Requires the ability to exercise consistent tact and courtesy in frequent contact with various professionals, County staff, and the general public.