Deputy County Administrator

Benzie Co; Michigan; On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Benzie Co. seeks a Deputy County Administrator to oversee financial accounting, budgeting, grants, HR, payroll, and vendor oversight across county funds. You will work under the County Administrator to ensure GAAP/GASB compliance and accurate reporting, while coordinating audits and capital planning.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage confidential information in a public-sector setting within Michigan.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of GAAP, GASB, PA 2 of 1968, and Treasury reporting mandates.
• Public sector HR principles, labor relations, and benefit administration.
• Mastery of municipal financial and payroll software and Excel.
• Ability to prepare complex financial statements and audits.
• Strong leadership and communication with officials, unions, auditors.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and oversees financial accounting systems across all County funds with GAAP/GASB compliance.
• Leads budgeting, grants, pension administration, and treasury oversight.
• Manages HR, benefits, recruitment, orientation, and labor relations support.
• Oversees Payroll and Accounts Payable, tax filings, and audits coordination.
• Supports County Administrator, executes special projects, and maintains records.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

GASB knowledge

Public sector HR

Advanced Excel

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Driver's license

Education

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

Tools

BS&A software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Deputy County Administrator

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential job functions are the fundamental duties of a position: the things a person holding the job absolutely must be able to do. Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Under the general direction of the County Administrator. This position holds primary administrative responsibility for maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and statutory compliance of the County’s financial accounting system, general ledger, and internal control environment in accordance with GAAP, GASB, and State of Michigan Department of Treasury standards.

In addition to leading annual budget preparation, audit administration, financial forecasting, grant management, and treasury/asset oversight, the Deputy County Administrator assists with core Human Resources administration, oversees Payroll and Accounts Payable, assists with labor negotiations, and acts on behalf of the County Administrator in their absence. Performs all the duties of the Executive Assistant, if unavailable or unable to work for any reason.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities performed by persons assigned to this classification. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor or manager to assign, direct and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. All principal duties and responsibilities of this position are essential functions of the position.

Primary Financial Management & Accounting Operations

• Maintains and oversees state-mandated financial accounting systems across all County funds, ensuring full compliance with GAAP, GASB standards, and State of Michigan Department of Treasury regulations.
• Establishes, evaluates, and enforces internal control procedures and chart of accounts structures alongside the County Treasurer and County Clerk to safeguard County assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Performs year-end financial balancing, prepares complex adjusting journal entries, coordinates external audit activities, and serves as the primary technical liaison to County auditors.
• Compiles, balances, and submits mandatory state and federal financial filings, including the F-65 report, Qualifying Statement, County Cost Allocation Report, Transportation Report, and Deficit Elimination Plans if required in cooperation with the County Treasurer.
• Conducts continuous cost-effectiveness analyses, financial modeling, and costing evaluations for pending decisions, labor agreement proposals, capital expansion programs, and millage rate options.
• Oversees County purchasing, fixed assets inventory (land, buildings, equipment), vehicle depreciation tracking, and County credit card account reconciliations in cooperation with the County Administrator.
• Works with the County Administrator to review, monitor, and administer County liability, property, and casualty insurance matters, including incident reports and claims.

Budgeting, Grants & Pension Administration

• Leads the coordination, development, and compilation of the annual County budget under the direction of the County Administrator and in cooperation with the Treasurer, working directly with department heads on revenue and expenditure projections.
• Monitors budget execution throughout the fiscal year and recommends formal budget amendments pursuant to Public Act 2 of 1968, as amended.
• Reviews all County grant applications and proposals regardless of preparer; ensures grant financial compliance, prepares financial reports, and processes fund drawdown requests.

Human Resources & Benefit Administration

• Serves as the primary Human Resources contact for County staff regarding health insurance, FMLA, Short/Long-Term Disability, Workers' Compensation, and retirement programs.
• Manages employee benefit enrollment, coordinates open enrollment periods with insurance agents, and resolves complex employee benefit or retirement claims.
• Coordinates employee recruitment and selection processes, including writing/updating position descriptions, preparing interview/screening tools, and facilitating applicant communications.
• Conducts new-hire orientations covering personnel policies, salary structures, safety standards, and employee benefit programs.
• Administers the County compensation plan, executing job analysis, market salary surveys, and wage structure reviews.
• Handles FMLA processing, files Workers' Compensation and Disability claims, and represents the County at unemployment hearings.
• Assists the County Administrator with collective bargaining negotiations, employee relations, policy development, and professional development training.

Payroll & Accounts Payable Oversight

• 18. Directs and supervises Payroll and Accounts Payable operations to guarantee accurate, timely, and compliant financial processing.
• 19. Ensures exactness in employee tax withholdings, union dues, MERS contributions, and required payroll deductions, reconciling accounts by employee.
• 20. Prepares and submits local, state, and federal tax filings and annual compliance documents, including Form 941, W-2s, 1099s, and 1094/1095 reporting.
• 21. Performs month-end and year-end closeouts for payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and purchase order adjustments.

Executive & Administrative Support

• 22. Manages daily operations of the County Administrator’s Office and assumes administrative duties in the absence of the County Administrator.
• 23. Performs duties of the Executive Assistant when unavailable.
• 24. Serves as County FOIA Coordinator and affirmatively action officer in the absence of the County Administrator.
• 25. Coordinates administrative support, agendas, and minutes for assigned Board committees and commissions, maintaining official archived records.
• 26. Executes special projects and strategic assignments as directed by the County Administrator or Board of Commissioners.
• 27. Other duties as assigned by the County Administrator.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of governmental accounting principles (GAAP/GASB), State of Michigan Uniform Budgeting and Accounting Act (PA 2 of 1968), and Department of Treasury reporting mandates.
• Extensive knowledge of public sector HR principles, federal/state employment laws (FMLA, FLSA, ADA, Workers' Comp), labor relations, and employee benefit plan administration. Mastery of municipal financial and payroll software applications (BS&A software strongly preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel capabilities).
• Ability to prepare complex financial statements, perform analytical costing models for collective bargaining, and coordinate comprehensive annual audits.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills to engage effectively with elected officials, department heads, labor unions, auditors, and the public.
• Exceptional ethical standards, professional discretion, and confidentiality in handling personnel and financial data.
• Must possess a valid Michigan Driver’s License and maintain required background security clearances.
• Knowledge of personnel administration techniques and practices.
• Knowledge of records retention, payroll calculation and benefit programs.
• Thorough knowledge of correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of modern office equipment and personal computers.
• Knowledge of modern office methods, procedures, and business correspondence.
• Knowledge of filing systems and complex record keeping methods.
• Skill in reading and interpreting rules, and policies and apply them with good judgment in a variety of procedural situations.
• Skill in effectively using office equipment and technology, including computers and related software, and the ability to master new technologies.
• Ability to prepare accounts payable, payroll and benefit records.
• Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Ability to communicate effectively and present ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to critically assess situations and solve problems, and work effectively under stress, work on several projects or issues simultaneously, within deadlines and changes in work priorities.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgement, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with employees, elected officials, the media, professional contacts, and the public.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and maintain confidentiality of information.
• Aptitude in performing mathematical calculations and checking figures, postings and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper coding.

Education, Training and Experience:

• Education requirements included a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field required.
• Three or more years of directly related experience.
• Additional experience may substitute for educational requirements.

Licensing and Other Requirements:

• Successfully complete an annual criminal background check to maintain satisfactory personal qualifications, maintain jail security clearance and complete required training as mandated by the department and state regulations.
• Willingness to further credentials by attending additional education, training, and workshops.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY OR LEAD WORK RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises Executive Assistant

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

In the performance of job duties, the employee is required to use a computer for extended periods of time, mobilize to other locations, communicate verbally, and hear. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; observe and interpret situations; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines, on multiple concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions; and interact with officials and the public.

The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items of light to moderate weights. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. May be required to lift up to 40 pounds.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

In the performance of job duties, the employee may use the following tools and/or equipment: multi-line phone system; computer and associated software; copy and fax machines; scanners; projectors and other office related tools and equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job is typically performed in a business environment under usual office working conditions. The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments, with telephones, frequent interruptions, and background noises. The employee may be required to attend evening and/or weekend meetings, as directed. The employee occasionally is required to travel to other locations. The noise level in the work environment can range between quiet to moderate.

BUDGET

Primary 101-172-702 100%

Secondary