Finance Director

Town of Sunset Beach; Sunset Beach (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Sunset Beach seeks a Finance Director and Budget Officer to oversee all financial activities, reporting, and compliance for the town. The role includes journal maintenance, ledgers, investment oversight, and annual audit coordination.

The ideal candidate has an associate degree in accounting, five years in governmental accounting, and active NCFOA/GFOA involvement; bachelor’s degree preferred and Notary Public status or ability to obtain within two years.

Qualifications

• Minimum associate degree in accounting with essential duties listed above.
• Five years of governmental accounting and reporting experience.
• Preference for the NC Local Government Finance Officer Certification.
• Active NCFOA and GFOA membership recommended.
• Notary Public status or ability to obtain it within two years.

Responsibilities

• Oversee journals, ledgers, chart of accounts and financial reporting.
• Supervise budgeting, cash management and debt administration.
• Coordinate annual external audits and prepare schedules.
• Ensure internal controls and compliance with laws and statutes.
• Direct procurement, bidding procedures and grant management.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting and forecasting

Public sector accounting

Audit coordination

Leadership & supervision

Ethical standards

Stakeholder communication

Education

Associate degree in accounting

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field

NC Local Government Finance Officer Certification

NCFOA/GFOA membership

Notary Public

Tools

General Ledger system

Accounting software

Job description

The Town of Sunset Beach is currently accepting applications for a full-time Finance Director. The purpose of this position is to plan, implement, control, and provide management oversight to the financial activities as both Finance Director and Budget Officer for the Town of Sunset Beach.

An employee in this role will as diligently and consistently complete job duties as required by NC General Statue 159:

• Establishes and maintains financial journals, ledgers and chart of accounts.
• Maintains and keeps accounting systems for all funds, in accordance with generally accepted principles of governmental accounting.
• Ensures proper accounting and recording of Town’s resources by the NC G.S., rules and regulations of the LGC (Local Government Commission).
• Manages bank and investment accounts to obtain highest yield on Town’s funds.
• Prepares, maintains and submits various accounting records and reports for LGC and Auditors.
• Maintains fixed asset records and sale of fixed asset.
• Risk Management.
• Performs internal audits on accounting records to ensure clerical accuracy and conformance with departmental operating procedures and internal controls.
• Manages and pre-audits purchasing and bidding procedures as set forth in G.S. 159 and 160.
• Disburse all funds in strict compliance.
• Maintain all records concerning bonded debt and other obligations.
• Except as otherwise provided by law, all checks and drafts on official depository shall be signed by the Finance Director and countersigned by another official of the local government.
• Distribute property tax collections among appropriate funds, according to the budget ordinance.

Primary Tasks – Finance Director:

• Ensures journals, ledgers and chart accounts are designed to show detail assets, liabilities, equities, revenues, and expenditures. Show appropriations and estimated revenues as established in Budget Ordinance, Project Ordinance as originally adopted, and subsequently amended, and show modified accrual.
• Ensures all idle funds are in interest bearing accounts and investments are so managed that can be converted into cash as needed. Supervises the receipt of funds by duly authorized personnel. Deposits balanced to GL and made on a daily basis and secured as per LGC regulations. Monthly reconciliations to GL. Prepare and submit deposit and investment reports to LGC.
• Reviews daily cash receipts, cash flow. Performs detailed analyses. Codes and enters all journal entries into the financial accounting system and reconciles all differences
• Prepares necessary information to maintain a perpetual and detailed inventory of the entire Town’s assets.
• Maintain titles, bill of sales and supervise the sale of fixed assets.
• Maintains insurance for vehicles, machinery, and necessary equipment, Workers’ Compensation.
• Ensures all appropriate employees are bonded.
• Prepares and reviews reconciliations of sub accounts to general ledger control accounts.
• Ensures reconciliation of all GL accounts.
• Ensures all internal control policies are designed and kept to achieve effectiveness, efficiency, reliability and in compliance with applicable laws. Internal controls consist of the five interrelated components of controlled environment, risk assessment, controlled activities, information, and communication and monitoring.
• Reviews purchase orders & expenditures to ensure compliance with Town’s procedures & General Statutes.
• Works with Department Heads on bidding process for informal and formal bids.
• Monitors State and Federal guidelines for purchasing thresholds. Ensures all purchases are kept with budgetary compliance.
• Keeps abreast of current trends, changes, practices and developments in Local Government Commission, State, and Federal.
• Make recommendations to Town Administrator any revisions or procedure changes based on law changes.
• Manage the annual external audit process; schedule audit and related workflow; request audit‑related information from other departments; prepare required schedules, reports and work papers; review final report for accuracy before submission; review findings and develop strategies to address areas of improvement.
• Prepare required state and federal reports
• Financial Management, Budgeting and Reporting for all State and Federal Grants.
• Prepares all year‑end adjusting entries.

Primary Tasks – Budget Officer:

• Serve as the primary financial advisor for the Town and provide relevant financial information/advice to the Town Administrator on all strategic and tactical matters as they relate to financial management and reporting, tax administration, cost benefit analysis, financial forecasting, management of debt service, and the securing of new funding.
• Develops and prepares the annual budget, capital improvement and grant project budgets, and other regular and special financial reports associated with the budget process for Federal, State and local authorities as prescribed by law.
• Collaborate with elected officials, department directors and the Town Administrator to assess internal and external trends and issues, revenue sources, expenditure requirements, service demands and other relevant matters and facilitate development of long‑term fiscal strategies.
• Ensure accurate forecasting of revenue streams.
• Ensure finances support Town government programs and strategic priorities.
• Ensure proper budgeting, issuance and management of the Town’s debt portfolio.
• Communicate and provide guidance regarding financial information both internally and externally so that a proper understanding will result in informed decisions.
• Actively participate in the strategic planning and design and management of service delivery to our residents.
• Demonstrate through all formal and informal actions, a commitment to ethical standards and professional code of conduct.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Education and Experience

Minimum of associate’s degree in accounting and the ability to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job such as those listed above. Prefer bachelor’s degree in accounting or closely related field of study. Minimum of five (5) years of experience in Governmental Accounting and Reporting or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Preference is also given to NC Local Government Finance Officer Certification. Must maintain active membership in NCFOA (North Carolina Finance Officer Association) and GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association). Must be able to obtain NC Local Government Finance Officer Certification within 2 years.

Licenses and Professional Certifications or Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Must be bondable for $1 million as required by NCGS 159-29.
• Must be (or able to obtain) Notary Public.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Ability to pass a drug screening.