Vice President Finance

Denton County Transportation Authority; Lewisville (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Denton County Transportation Authority is seeking a Vice President of Finance to lead their finance department. The ideal candidate will manage financial operations while ensuring compliance with rules and regulations, support budgeting process, and provide strategic input. Join a high-performing team in a financially stable environment that values community impact and collaboration.

Benefits

One 8-hour paid day off for your birthday

100% employer-paid employee portions of Medical and Dental benefits

12 days of vacation time accrued in the first year

Regional transit passes for employees and immediate family

Extensive Wellness Program

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting.
• Minimum of 5 years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.
• Experience in public transportation highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage development and implementation of Finance Department goals and policies.
• Lead the annual budget process and ensure timely financial reporting.
• Oversee risk management strategies related to financial operations.

Skills

Financial stewardship

Public transportation funding

Analytical ability

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration or a related field

Master's degree preferred

Certified Public Accountant License highly preferred

Job description

Job Description

Job Description:

Dear Prospective Candidate, Thank you for your interest in the Vice President of Finance opportunity at the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA). This is an exciting time to join our organization as we continue to build momentum in successful service outcomes, deliver value to the communities we serve, and operate from a position of organizational clarity and financial strength. Over the past year, DCTA has marked several important achievements that will enable this incoming Finance executive to build upon a foundation of excellence:Ridership Growth: Following data-driven and thoughtful service adjustments and increased stakeholder collaboration, DCTA broke an all-time ridership record in 2024. Our customers and system are responding as we continue to optimize our network.Successful ERP Transition: We recently completed a full transition to Tyler Technologies' enterprise financial platform, providing a modern, integrated solution that supports efficient operations and financial transparency.High-Performing Team in Place: The agency has successfully recruited and trained a talented finance team that is operationally sound and ready for strategic leadership.Healthy Financial Outlook: DCTA is fiscally strong, with significant cash reserves and a multi-year financial plan that supports current services and future investments. The new Finance VP will step into a stable, well-managed fiscal environment. We are looking for a collaborative, strategic-minded leader with sound financial expertise who understands the complexities of public transportation funding and operations and who values internal and external partnerships. As a key member of our Executive Team, the Vice President of Finance will provide trusted financial stewardship and insight that empowers decision-making across the agency and supports our long-term success. If you are a public sector finance professional who is energized by the opportunity to positively impact their community and to join a high-performing team at a pivotal time in regional transportation, we encourage you to explore this role further. Sincerely, Paul A. CristinaChief Executive OfficerDenton County Transportation Authority ***************************************************************************************************************************************************** The Vice President, Finance, leads the Finance Department to ensure a fiscally sound governmental organization that meets or exceeds all legal and ethical requirements and generally accepted accounting and financial management principles. The Vice President of Finance supports the core business functions of the organization by leading the annual budget process, formulating financial impact alternatives to accomplish the agency’s goals, establishing and / or transforming processes and procedures to optimize sound financial controls with the agency’s overall work, ensures the timely and effective delivery of the agency’s annual procurement program and, as a member of the Executive Team, serves as a strategic advisor to the CEO. This position is also responsible for performing work in accordance with statutory procedures and board policies as prescribed by the President/CEO and Board of Directors. The functions/departments for which this position has responsibility include accounting, financial reporting, grants management and compliance, debt and treasury management, procurement, and budget. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The following duties are standard for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.Assumes full management responsibility for all services and activities under the Finance operation and manages the development and implementation of Finance Department goals, policies, key performance indicators (KPIs), and compliance and reporting for all federal, state and local grant programs including federal program and discretionary grant awards.Collaborates broadly to design and lead continuous improvement to optimize the work and effectiveness of the DCTA Finance function, including integration with internal and external organizations that interface with DCTA finance processes.Maintains and enhances effectiveness and function of DCTA Financial systems and ERP platforms used for budget tracking, procurement, reporting, and data analytics for benefit of all internal agency teams.Leverages financial expertise and understanding of FTA formula and discretionary grants, federal loan programs, sales tax, bonds, interlocal agreements and service contracts to provide strategic input in development of innovative, agency-specific and regionally-transformative initiatives in collaboration with other transit agencies and public entities. Support internal partners with financial analysis and understanding of impacts related to major transportation service contract and service level evolution.Develops and oversees risk management strategies related to financial operations, including liquidity, regulatory compliance, external economic volatility.Collaborates and partners with CEO and Executive Team to establish and maintain robust internal controls and collaborates with internal and external auditors to ensure financial integrity and transparency.Ensures that accounting activities are conducted and reported in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and that DCTA’s financial reporting complies with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements and DCTA policies.Oversees monthly and annual financial reporting including annual financial audits and single audit as well as development of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report to uphold accountability and transparency.Collaborates with the organization to develop DCTA’s Long Range Financial Plan, Annual Budget for Board approval, and issues financial and other related reports to evaluate progress against budget and Long-Range Financial Plan.Leads development of the annual DCTA operating budget and Capital Improvement Program; directs the forecast of additional funding, staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; directs the monitoring of expenditures; development of business plans and operational plans, as needed; directs the preparation of and implementation of budgetary adjustments, as necessary. Coordinates issuance of debt financing, reviews changes in fare policy, submission of Federal grants to ensure sufficient funds are available to meet planned expenditures.Provides for effective treasury management and supervises DCTA’s investment program; and serves as the Investment Officer in managing investment activities to comply with DCTA Investment Policy and Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA) guidelines.Supervises delivery of the agency’s annual procurement and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program through the leadership of the Senior Manager, Procurement. Ensures effectively, timely execution of RFPs, RFQs, contracts, purchase orders, etc. through effective collaboration between the Procurement team and internal business units.Responsible to maintain capital asset inventory for eligible assets and ensure proper recording of book value, depreciation, and timely disposition for accurate financial reporting.Interprets agency wide policies and provides financial guidance to departments, President/CEO, and Board of Directors as well as external contacts regarding policies and procedures, public financing, and internal controls. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Manages three Senior Managers and their respective teams indirectly. Thus includes a Senior Manager of Accounting, a Senior Manager of Budgets and a Senior Manager of Procurement. Counsels, supervises and evaluates the performance of the team and their subordinates. Carries out leadership responsibilities in accordance with the organization's values, policies and applicable laws. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Where applicable, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of education/experience listed below. Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration or a related field. Master's degree preferred. At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting, with a minimum of five (5) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility. Public transportation experience is highly desirable. Certified Public Accountant License highly preferred. Special Requirements: Hold a current valid Texas Driver's License. Knowledge of: Governmental accounting and reporting including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements, and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs Operational characteristics, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal financial planning, development and administration program Advanced principles and practices of municipal finance administration, accounting principles and practice, budget preparation, public procurement, risk management, and grants administration Public fund investment management and municipal debt issuance Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation Ability to: Work independently to perform a variety of functions and manage multiple projects at one time while working in a dynamic environment with changing priorities to meet established deadlines Demonstrate a professional level of expertise and high level of discretion and judgment in execution of duties Advanced level of analytical ability to find and recommend solutions to complex legal, financial, interpersonal, professional and technical problems using creativity and specialized knowledge to implement recommendations in support of goals Develop, implement and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient financial and administrative operations as well as fiscal management control functions Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of professional, technical and clerical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility Establish cooperative working relationships and communicate effectively and sensitively with all levels of staff, Board of Directors, and external stakeholders, both verbally and in writing The ideal candidate will: Possess a positive attitude, practice good judgement, and be open to receiving/providing feedbackHold the ability to get along with others, individually and in a large group. Has the desire to care for the organization’s well-being and for the co-workers he/she interacts with. Interested in partaking in group development and team building activitiesPossess an influential and welcoming communication styleFoster a culture that values critical thinking and problem solving; and encourages constructive feedback, engagement, inclusion, and diversity at all levels PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES Physical activities include, but are not limited to: on a continuous basis, sitting at a desk for long periods of time; researching information both in written form and on the computer; using a computer and monitor for long periods of time; intermittently twisting and reaching office equipment; writing or using keyboard to communicate through written means; lifting light weight; reaching above the waist, and reaching below the waist; repetitive motion and fingering when using computer keyboard; and talking and hearing when dealing with internal and external customers. The essential functions of this position require the daily use of a computer, telephone, and calculator. The essential functions of this position are performed in an office environment. Come be a part of an amazing team working to move the people of the 6th largest growing county in the United States! Additional perks and benefits that accompany full-time employment with DCTA:One 8-hour paid day off for your birthday.Employee portions of Medical and Dental benefits are 100% paid by the employer.If you have utilized a Proportionate Retirement Program in the past, the service time transfers to DCTA’s retirement system, TCDRS. The following systems apply:Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS)Employees Retirement System (ERS)Judicial Retirement System of Texas (JRS)Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)City of Austin Employees Retirement System (COAERS)Expanding time-off accruals: 12 days of vacation time accrued for the first year, increasing by one day each year, with a max of 17 days annually. Additionally, employees earn 12 days of sick time each year, 1 personal day, 2 floating holidays, 1 birthday, 9 fixed holidays, and the ability to earn two additional days off through the Wellness Program.Regional transit passes (bus and rail) for you and your immediate family.DCTA strives to continually improve our Servant Leadership culture. We pride ourselves in having an open, caring, and communicative community of employees, with the drive to help build each other up.Extensive Wellness Program, including several opportunities to volunteer with the agency, sporadic lunch and learn events, chair massages, the potential to earn two extra days off each year, and continual efforts to improve wellness throughout the agency. DCTA IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Company Description:

Denton County is the 6th fastest-growing county in United States with nearly 950,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. DCTA is committed to improving mobility, air quality, economic development and livability in the areas we serve. Since inception, DCTA has accelerated innovative transportation solutions critical to reducing traffic congestion and enhancing air quality, while contributing to strategic growth and development, and improving the quality of life for Denton County residents. DCTA drives a better future for Denton County by getting people where they need and want to go.

Company Description

Denton County is the 6th fastest-growing county in United States with nearly 950,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. DCTA is committed to improving mobility, air quality, economic development and livability in the areas we serve. Since inception, DCTA has accelerated innovative transportation solutions critical to reducing traffic congestion and enhancing air quality, while contributing to strategic growth and development, and improving the quality of life for Denton County residents. DCTA drives a better future for Denton County by getting people where they need and want to go.