Finance Consultant (Temporary)

Town of Cohasset; Cohasset (MA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 152,000; Part time

Job summary

The Town of Cohasset seeks an experienced municipal finance professional for a part‑time, temporary Finance Consultant role through June 2027. You will lead the development of a comprehensive five‑year forecast, integrate operating and capital planning, and propose strategies to maintain long‑term financial sustainability.

Working with the Town Manager and Town Accountant, you will evaluate revenues, expenditures, debt, and other obligations, and present findings to leadership and boards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, public administration, business administration, economics, or a closely related field.
• Significant progressively responsible experience in municipal finance, governmental accounting, budgeting, financial management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing multi‑year financial forecasts and analyzing municipal operating and capital budgets.
• Strong knowledge of Massachusetts municipal finance and Proposition 2½.
• Strong financial modeling and Microsoft Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a comprehensive five‑year financial forecast for the Town.
• Develop projections for revenues, operating expenditures, capital expenditures, debt service, reserves, and other significant financial obligations.
• Review historical financial performance and identify trends impacting future Town budgets.
• Analyze anticipated property tax revenue, new growth, state aid, local receipts, personnel expenses, benefits, contractual obligations, and other major financial drivers.
• Review the Town’s operating budget and identify potential structural deficits or future funding gaps.
• Evaluate available levy capacity and analyze the potential need, timing, and financial impact of a Proposition 2½ operating override.
• Develop financial scenarios comparing current‑service budgets, potential service reductions, alternative revenues, and possible override options.
• Integrate the Town’s five‑year Capital Improvement Plan into the overall financial forecast.
• Evaluate capital projects, infrastructure investments, borrowing needs, debt schedules, and available financing strategies.
• Attend evening Capital Budget meetings as required.
• Work closely with the Town Accountant to validate financial data and assumptions.
• Develop a financial forecasting model that can be maintained and updated by Town staff following completion of the assignment.
• Prepare clear reports, financial models, charts, and presentations to summarize findings and recommendations.
• Present financial information and recommendations to Town Leadership and public boards or committees as requested.

Skills

Municipal finance knowledge

Financial modeling

Microsoft Excel

Budgeting & forecasting

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or related field

Master’s degree in finance or public administration

CGFO/CPA/MCPPO certification desirable

Job description

The Town of Cohasset seeks an experienced municipal finance professional to serve as a part‑time, temporary Finance Consultant. This short‑term consulting role, through June 2027, will lead the development of the Town’s comprehensive five‑year financial forecast, integrating both operating and capital planning to support long‑term financial sustainability and informed decision‑making.

Working closely with the Town Manager and Town Accountant, the consultant will evaluate projected revenues, expenditures, capital needs, debt obligations, and other financial commitments. A key component of the assignment will be assessing potential future structural budget gaps and analyzing whether a Proposition 2½ operating override may be necessary to maintain Town services and address long‑term financial obligations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a comprehensive five‑year financial forecast for the Town.
• Develop projections for revenues, operating expenditures, capital expenditures, debt service, reserves, and other significant financial obligations.
• Review historical financial performance and identify trends impacting future Town budgets.
• Analyze anticipated property tax revenue, new growth, state aid, local receipts, personnel expenses, benefits, contractual obligations, and other major financial drivers.
• Review the Town’s operating budget and identify potential structural deficits or future funding gaps.
• Evaluate available levy capacity and analyze the potential need, timing, and financial impact of a Proposition 2½ operating override.
• Develop financial scenarios comparing current‑service budgets, potential service reductions, alternative revenues, and possible override options.
• Integrate the Town’s five‑year Capital Improvement Plan into the overall financial forecast.
• Evaluate capital projects, infrastructure investments, borrowing needs, debt schedules, and available financing strategies.
• Attend evening Capital Budget meetings as required.
• Work closely with the Town Accountant to validate financial data and assumptions.
• Develop a financial forecasting model that can be maintained and updated by Town staff following completion of the assignment.
• Prepare clear reports, financial models, charts, and presentations to summarize findings and recommendations.
• Present financial information and recommendations to Town Leadership and public boards or committees as requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, public administration, business administration, economics, or a closely related field.
• Significant progressively responsible experience in municipal finance, governmental accounting, budgeting, financial management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing multi‑year financial forecasts and analyzing municipal operating and capital budgets.
• Strong knowledge of Massachusetts municipal finance and Proposition 2½.
• Strong financial modeling and Microsoft Excel skills.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, public administration, business administration, or related field.
• Previous experience as a municipal Finance Director, Chief Financial Officer, Town Accountant, Assistant Town Manager for Finance, or comparable senior municipal financial professional.
• Experience developing long‑range municipal financial plans and analyzing operating override scenarios.
• Experience with capital planning, debt management, and presentations to Select Boards, finance committees, or similar public bodies.
• CGFO, CPA, MCPPO, or another relevant professional certification is desirable.

Schedule and Compensation

This is a part‑time, temporary consulting position of up to 15 hours per week. The work schedule will be established based on the needs of the Town and the project. Attendance at evening Capital Budget meetings is required, and other evening meetings may be necessary as part of the assignment.

The position will report to the Town Manager and work closely with the Town Accountant and other Town officials and department leadership as needed.

Compensation: $85 per hour, commensurate with experience and negotiable based on qualifications. This position is funded through June 2027.

The Town of Cohasset is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment. The Town provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their positions. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process are encouraged to contact the Human Resources Department at [e-mail].

The Town of Cohasset is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

All offers of employment are conditional upon the satisfactory completion of a Criminal Offense Record Information (CORI) check, pre‑employment DOT physical examination, drug test & all other background checks where required.