Chief Financial Officer

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About the role

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides executive-level financial leadership, strategic planning, and fiscal oversight for a local government organization. The CFO ensures the long-term financial health and sustainability of the jurisdiction by managing budgets, financial reporting, debt, investments, and revenue strategies in alignment with policy goals and community needs.

The role reports directly to the City/County Manager or equivalent chief executive and collaborates with elected officials, department heads, and external stakeholders to shape fiscal policy, navigate funding challenges, and support data-driven decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor the annual operating and capital budgets; recommend fiscal policies and revenue measures to the governing body.
• Oversee all financial operations, including accounting, payroll, purchasing, treasury, debt management, and financial systems.
• Prepare and present accurate, timely financial reports (e.g., CAFR, monthly/quarterly statements) to management, elected officials, and the public; ensure compliance with GAAP, GASB, and applicable laws.
• Manage cash flow, investments, and debt issuance; develop and maintain financial models to project long-term impacts of policy decisions.
• Lead financial planning and analysis (FP&A) to assess program costs, funding gaps, and efficiency opportunities; provide strategic recommendations to optimize resource allocation.
• Serve as a key advisor on fiscal matters related to state/federal funding changes, economic trends, pension/retiree health liabilities, and infrastructure financing.
• Direct the preparation of grant applications, financial audits, and compliance reporting for federal/state programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with rating agencies, financial institutions, bond counsel, and external auditors.
• Supervise and mentor a team of finance professionals; foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the organization in regional/statewide financial collaboratives, professional associations, and public forums.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, public administration, or related field; Master’s degree (MPA, MBA, MAcc) and/or CPA strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Finance Director, Deputy CFO) within local government or a comparable public-sector environment.
• Deep expertise in governmental accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting (GASB standards); experience with ERP systems (e.g., Tyler, Oracle, Workday) and advanced Excel/financial modeling tools.
• Proven track record of managing complex budgets (e.g., $100M+), debt portfolios, and multi-year financial plans in a politically sensitive environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills; ability to articulate fiscal concepts to diverse audiences, including elected officials, media, and the public.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion in financial decision-making; experience integrating racial equity frameworks into budget processes.
• Knowledge of local government revenue structures (e.g., property tax, sales tax, fees), intergovernmental funding, and economic development financing tools.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (employer-paid premiums for employee; options for dependents).
• Defined-benefit pension plan (e.g., ICMA-RC, state/local system) with employer contributions up to 10% of salary; optional 457 deferred-compensation plan.
• Generous paid leave (e.g., 20+ days vacation, 12 sick days, 10 holidays) plus administrative leave for professional development.
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid/remote options for non-core hours.
• Professional development stipend (e.g., $2,500/year) for certifications, conferences, or advanced degrees; tuition reimbursement for job-related coursework.
• Relocation assistance (e.g., up to $10,000) for candidates moving from outside the region.
• Wellness programs, including on-site fitness centers, mental health resources, and employee assistance programs (EAP).