Chief Financial Officer

Jena Choctaw Pines; Trout (LA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision benefits

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Jena Band of Choctaw Indians seeks a Chief Financial Officer to lead financial planning, controls, and execution across the Tribal Government, tribal enterprises, and the gaming commission.

You will design and implement financial systems, oversee accounting functions, forecast performance, and provide strategic guidance to Tribal leadership. The role requires extensive government accounting experience, strong GAAP and Uniform Guidance knowledge, and a focus on safeguarding tribal assets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration/accounting
• 10+ years of accounting experience
• Experience in government or tribal settings with government fund accounting and for-profit principles
• Proficiency in managing investment accounts and portfolios
• Experience presenting financial information to stakeholders
• Knowledge of GAAP, Governmental Accounting Standards, and Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200
• Experience with various accounting software and bank cash management platforms

Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct the personnel and operations of the finance department
• Maintain compliance with GAAP, 2 CFR Part 200 and other regulations
• Forecast and project financial performance to align resources with goals
• Oversee accounting systems and internal controls for tribal government, enterprises, and gaming commission
• Train departments to use accounts payable and timesheet software
• Manage monthly close and bank reconciliations for accuracy
• Ensure revenues and expenditures are recorded in the correct period
• Manage bank accounts and transfers to maintain liquidity
• Submit monthly financial and investment reports to the tribal council
• Oversee payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable for all entities
• Manage and reconcile investment accounts
• Strategic investment of funds with staggered maturities
• Prepare and submit indirect cost proposals and manage the indirect cost pool
• Oversee monthly indirect cost recovery collections
• Provide strategic financial guidance to tribal officials
• Develop 5–10 year financial forecasts for gaming revenues and expenditures
• Prepare and distribute annual budgets and monitor budget-to-actuals
• Ensure journal entries for discrepancies and approve financial transactions
• Oversee retirement plans for all entities and census audit submissions
• Track depreciation and capital asset accounting
• Coordinate annual external audits per 2 CFR Part 200
• Ensure timely audit information and review final audit reports
• Improve processes and financial systems

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic planning

GAAP knowledge

Investment management

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

GENERAL SUMMARY AND POSITION PURPOSE

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the central figure for the Tribal Government's financial planning, control, and execution. This role involves designing, implementing, and overseeing financial systems, accounting functions, and controls across the Tribal Government, Tribal Enterprises, and the Gaming Commission. The CFO collaborates closely with the Tribal Chief and Council to develop and execute a comprehensive financial strategy, ensuring the Tribe's financial well-being and establishing robust internal controls to protect all Tribal assets.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Accounting or related field
• A minimum of 10 years of accounting experience
• Experience in financial and accounting roles within municipal or tribal government settings, demonstrating comprehensive expertise in both governmental fund accounting and for-profit accounting principles
• Proficient in managing investment accounts and portfolios
• Experience presenting financial information to stakeholders, management, department leaders
• Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Governmental Accounting Standards, and Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200
• Experience working with various accounting softwares and bank cash management platforms

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SPECIFIC TO THE JOB

• Oversee and direct the personnel and operations of the finance department
• Maintain compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), and other federal, state, and tribal regulations
• Align financial resources with the tribe's short- and long-term goals by forecasting and projecting financial performance
• Responsibility includes the oversight of all accounting systems and internal financial controls for tribal government, tribal enterprises, and the gaming commission
• Train all governmental departments to use accounts payable and timesheet software
• Supervise the monthly accounting close, including a thorough review of bank reconciliations to ensure accuracy and completeness, and maintain up-to-date accounting records
• Responsible for ensuring revenues and expenditures are accounted for in correct accounting period, which includes prepaids, accrued payables, and revenue receivables
• Manages all bank accounts and transfers, ensuring sufficient operational funds
• Submit monthly financial and investment reports to the tribal council for all governmental, enterprise, and gaming commission funds
• Oversee the management of payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable for tribal government, tribal enterprises, and the gaming commission
• Manage and reconcile various investment accounts
• Strategic investment of diverse funds in treasury bills with staggered maturity dates, optimizing returns while maintaining sufficient liquidity for monthly operational needs
• Prepare and submit the tribal government’s annual indirect cost proposal
• Manages the indirect cost pool
• Oversees monthly indirect cost recovery collections for all programs
• Offer strategic and technical financial guidance to tribal officials and staff as required
• Develop and manage a 5 to 10 year financial forecast for gaming revenues and expenditures, specifically as they pertain to tribal government functions, economic expansion, and general welfare initiatives
• Prepare and distribute annual budgets to department directors
• Continual oversight of budget-to-actual reports
• Ensure accuracy of all accounting data and initiate journal entries for any discrepancies
• Approve financial transactions including cash disbursements, receipts, and payroll for the tribal government and its associated entities
• Oversee the administration of retirement plans for tribal government, tribal enterprises, and the gaming commission
• Manage annual census audit submissions for retirement plans
• Track and maintain depreciation schedules for tribal government and tribal enterprise assets
• Ensure accurate accounting of all capital assets
• Coordinate annual external audits as required by 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F
• Responsible for meeting all audit requirements and timely delivery of information to auditors
• Review all final audit reports for completeness and accuracy, prepare all audit adjusting entries
• Improve effectiveness and efficiency by developing and implementing financial processes and systems
• Execute additional duties as assigned by the Tribal Chief

DIRECTOR SPECIFIC

• May be required to work extended hours, including tribal events, trainings, community meetings, and other meetings as designated by the Tribal Chief and Council, to meet tribal and departmental needs
• Basic knowledge of contract principles and procedures, grant writing, and grant management is desired
• Must attend director meetings, staff meetings, and professional development trainings as required
• Delegates responsibilities effectively to departmental staff
• Experience in budget development and administration
• Timely submission of monthly reports to the Tribal Council is required
• Execute additional duties as assigned
• The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians retains the right to modify, add, or change responsibilities to align with tribal and organizational requirements. The aforementioned statements aim to outline the general nature and scope of work for employees in this position, and do not encompass a complete list of all associated duties and responsibilities.

MINIMAL BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT AT JBCI

• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a clean driving record
• Must have reliable transportation
• No felony or theft convictions
• Must submit to a criminal background and fingerprint check in compliance with the
• Louisiana Child Protection Act (LA R.S. 15:5871.0) and Louisiana Adult Protection
• Services Law (LA R.S. 15:1501-1511)

JBCI REQUIRED

• Capable of high-performing individual and collaborative work, ensuring efficient operations
• Meets deadlines effectively and efficiently
• Occasional travel, irregular or extended work hours, and on-call availability are requisite
• Must demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills
• Highly organized; possesses strong time management skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to maintain the highest of ethical standards, maintain strict confidentiality, and exercise tact and discretion
• Must exhibit kindness and respect
• Must demonstrate cultural sensitivity and appreciation of tribal traditions, customs, history, and the socioeconomic needs of the tribal community

COMPUTER / OFFICE EQUIPMENT SKILLS

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace is required, with the ability to acquire new software skills as needed
• Proficiency in operating standard office equipment, including computers, printers, scanners, copiers, and telephones
• Training will be provided as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires frequent sitting, walking, reaching, and both visual and oral communication. Employees must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

JOB LOCATION

JBCI Administration Office in Trout, Louisiana, unless otherwise specified

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

The Jena Band of Choctaw Indian Tribe is a drug-free workplace. All employees are subject to pre- employment and random alcohol and/or drug screenings.

TRIBAL PREFERENCE POLICY

Members of the Jena Band of Choctaw Tribe shall be given absolute preference with respect to hiring, promotions, training, and contracting. For persons who meet the minimum qualifications, preferential treatment shall be based on the following criteria and shall be given in the following order:

• Enrolled members of the Jena Band of Choctaw tribe who satisfy the minimum job qualifications
• Spouses of enrolled members of the Jena Band of Choctaw tribe who satisfy the minimum job qualifications
• Enrolled members of other recognized tribes who satisfy the minimum job qualifications
• Military Veterans
• All others who satisfy the minimum job qualifications

EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PACKAGE

The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. This includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a retirement savings plan. Employees also receive paid time off and paid holidays, among other benefits.