Finance Officer

Capitol Region Council of Governments; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Capitol Region Council of Governments is seeking a Finance Officer to lead financial procedures and systems, ensuring alignment with strategic goals. You will supervise the Finance Department and oversee budgeting, accounting, payroll, grants, and risk management.

The role reports to the COO and involves preparing financial reports, coordinating audits, and presenting to the Board. A strong background in public-sector finance and leadership is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; eight years of experience in public sector accounting or auditing.
• Grade 7 minimum qualifications add 5 years in budget development, monitoring, and categorization as well as financial reporting, and Board presentation experience.

Responsibilities

• Monitor cash flow, spending, and account balances to ensure budget adherence; develop financial procedures and reports.
• Perform grant invoicing and related reporting, monitor grant compliance.
• Establish and manage internal financial controls and internal audit procedures; train staff.
• Prepare, review, and approve requisitions and procurement documents.
• Oversee payroll processing, benefit administration, and personnel records maintenance.
• Coordinate the financial audit with external auditors and respond to findings.
• Prepare and present analytical financial reports to support management decisions.

Skills

Public sector finance

Auditing & internal controls

Payroll & benefits administration

Leadership & staff supervision

Financial reporting & analysis

Grant management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting or related field

8 years public-sector accounting or auditing experience

Tools

Financial systems software

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

CRCOG is seeking a Finance Officer to lead, manage, and implement financial procedures and systems that ensure agency budgeting and spending align with strategic goals and objectives. This role coordinates and oversees multiple operational functions, including accounting, auditing, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, risk management, and human resource administration.

This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer and exercises supervision over assigned Finance Department staff.

Note: This position is advertised a t Grade 6 or Grade 7, depending on the applicant's qualifications, and the salary range reflects both grades.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor and oversee cash flow, spending, and account balances to ensure agency budget adherence, including developing financial procedures and reports to support monitoring.
• Perform grant invoicing and related reporting, and monitor for grant compliance.
• Establish and manage internal financial controls and internal audit procedures, including training staff on processes and standards to ensure compliance.
• Prepare, review, and approve requisitions and associated procurement documents as required.
• Reconcile daily, monthly, and yearly transactions, and review invoices, statements, and other charges, including completing year-end closing requirements.
• Oversee management of processing payroll, benefit administration, and maintenance of required personnel records.
• Oversee pension plan reporting requirements, including monitoring pension assets, reviewing actuarial reports, and keeping the Chief Operating Officer up to date on trends as needed.
• Prepare and present analytical financial reports to support management decision-making, including long-range financial projections and analyzing expenditures, revenues, variances, and trends.
• Coordinate the financial audit with external auditors, including responding to audit findings and implementing recommendations.
• Oversee budget development adhering to standards in the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
• Monitor budgeted spending and determine appropriate categories and cost allocations.
• Prepare and present to the Board regarding the budget and other financial reports.
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively to provide seamless customer service.
• Work collaboratively with other agency departments to address and resolve concerns, and provide assistance and support to the agency's overall strategic goals.
• Oversee responses to public requests or Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests related to Finance and Finance operations.
• Interview, hire, and train assigned staff, including providing internal and external training activities to support skill development and safe workplace practices.
• Oversees CRCOG's insurance programs and policies, including Liability Auto Property (LAP) and Workers Compensation coverage, renewals, claims administration, and proactively identifies and mitigates organizational risk.
• Research, draft, and recommend policies and procedures for the department, as well as policies that occasionally affect others within the organization.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field, including or supplemented by eight years of experience in public sector accounting or auditing, which included five years of experience managing and supervising assigned staff; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, ability, and skills.

Grade 7 minimum qualifications add 5 years in budget development, monitoring, and categorization as well as financial reporting, and Board presentation experience, or equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, ability and skills.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public sector finance, accounting, budgeting, and reporting.
• Auditing, internal control, and cash management.
• Payroll and benefits processes and administration.
• Principles and practices of management and leadership.
• Financial systems, analysis, and reporting methods and techniques.
• Grant management and financial reporting.

Ability to:

• Provide planning, leadership, and direction to assigned staff to deliver effective financial and human resources support within the agency.
• Interact and collaborate with all levels of staff.
• Assign and supervise the work of others and motivate employees to work toward common goals.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with outside agencies, elected officials, coworkers, residents, vendors, and the general public.
• Respond to and carry out audit findings and recommendations.
• Analyze, interpret, and explain complex financial reports and projections.

Skill in:

• Making decisions independently within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Verbal and written communication to effectively interact with agency staff and represent the agency's interests with outside organizations.
• Analyzing and interpreting data to formulate recommendations.
• Preparing clear and accurate reports to convey financial information to individuals with limited financial expertise.
• Assessing new or unanticipated situations, establishing priorities for team members, and solving problems.
• Developing short-term and long-term strategic planning to meet the agency's financial objectives.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is performed mostly in an office setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.