Finance Director #00811

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Department of Agriculture is seeking a Finance Director to lead the agency's Finance Office, oversee GAAP-compliant financial operations, and drive accurate reporting.

The role requires senior accounting leadership, strong technical knowledge of governmental accounting, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. The position may offer telework per policy while based at VDACS Central Headquarters.

Qualifications

• GAAP knowledge and fund accounting
• Financial reporting and analysis
• Advanced Excel and financial systems

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage the agency’s Finance Office and ensure GAAP compliance
• Oversee fiscal policies, internal controls, and asset safeguarding
• Coordinate with auditors and central agencies on financial reporting and close processes
• Provide leadership in accounting, budgeting, and financial planning across the agency

Education

HS/GED required

Job description

Title: Finance Director #00811

State Role Title: Financial Services Manager II

Hiring Range: $111,935 - $135,380 annually

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: VDACS CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS

Agency Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Financial Services is seeking an experienced, dedicated, and highly motivated accounting professional to serve as the agency’s Finance Director. This position provides leadership and management of the Finance Office staff and plans, organizes, directs, and continuously improves the fiscal and accounting functions for the agency and the Agricultural Council in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), applicable state and federal laws, and agency fiscal policies and procedures. The Finance Director serves as the agency’s Fiscal Officer and is responsible for maintaining effective internal controls, safeguarding agency assets, and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of financial transactions and reporting. The position serves as the agency’s primary accounting resource and advises management on complex financial matters while ensuring compliance with fiscal requirements related to commodity and advisory boards. The Finance Director works closely with internal and external auditors and collaborates with employees and management throughout the agency, as well as central agencies and other external stakeholders. This position ensures financial policies and desk procedures remain current and consistent with applicable state and federal requirements, maintains professional knowledge of current accounting standards, and promotes a culture of accountability, continuous learning, information sharing, and professional development. The agency is looking for a dynamic individual with strong accounting and analytical knowledge, sound professional judgment, proven leadership and management skills, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The successful candidate must be able to analyze complex financial issues, communicate accounting and financial information effectively to both financial and non-financial audiences, and work professionally and collaboratively with all levels of management in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, and rapidly evolving environment. Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth’s telework policy.

Minimum Qualifications

Comprehensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, fund accounting, financial management, and internal controls. Considerable knowledge of management and supervisory principles. Knowledge of budget planning and formulation. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of computer applications and financial reporting tools used to analyze financial data, perform reconciliations, develop reports, and support financial operations. Demonstrated ability to plan, staff, direct and coordinate accounting, finance, budget and financial reporting functions and to manage and train fiscal staff. Demonstrated ability to develop, evaluate, and strengthen internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement revised accounting systems and procedures. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial transactions, direct the analysis and preparation of reports and financial statements, interpret accounting standards and policies, and exercise professional judgement in resolving accounting issues. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with agency management, employees, central agency staffs, auditors and other officials: oral and written communication skills. HS/GED required

Additional Considerations

A combination of related education, training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities to include knowledge of governmental accounting principles, financial reporting, fiscal year-end close, internal controls, audit coordination, and payroll administration. Knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia and Federal fiscal policies and procedures for accounting and reporting. Experience with governmental financial accounting systems such as Cardinal, FAACS, LAS, and internal accounting systems. Demonstrated leadership qualities including a hands‑on approach to supervising, training and motivating staff. Demonstrated experience developing financial policies and procedures and analyzing complex financial issues is strongly preferred.

Special Instructions

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that before we can legally employ an individual, we must verify both the identity and employment authorization of the individual. VDACS uses Form I-9 to satisfy this requirement. Form I-9, instructions, and the List of Acceptable Documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. VDACS does not offer sponsorship for employment purposes; therefore, the selected candidate will need to be able to provide acceptable documents in accordance with Form I-9 (use link above for more details). Additionally, VDACS participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional assistance with this requirement, please contact [e-mail].

Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Contact Information

• Name: Human Resources
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.