Chief Financial Officer

Primary Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for all Judicial Branch financial operations, including accounting, payroll, budgeting, procurement, grants administration, court collections, debt collection services, and the Centralized Court Payment Center.
• Directs, plans, and oversees statewide accounting operations and financial activities to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), state laws, regulations, and Judicial Branch policies.
• Develops, administers, monitors, and defends the Judicial Branch's annual operating and capital budgets, including expenditure projections, revenue forecasting, budget narratives, and legislative budget requests.
• Serves as the primary financial representative of the Judicial Branch before legislative committees, executive agencies, budget officials, auditors, and other governmental stakeholders.
• Maintains internal controls, accounting policies, financial procedures, and fiscal management practices that ensure accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of public funds.
• Oversees statewide procurement, purchasing, contract administration, and payment processes to ensure fiscal responsibility, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Directs financial oversight of court collections programs, payment processing operations, and debt collection services to maximize accountability and revenue recovery efforts.
• Oversees the administration, accounting, compliance, reporting, and monitoring of federal, state, and private grant funding supporting Judicial Branch programs and initiatives.
• Leads financial system modernization efforts and technology initiatives designed to improve financial reporting, operational effectiveness, business processes, and customer service delivery.
• Directs financial reviews and assessments of district and appellate courts and ensures consistent application of accounting practices, policies, and procedures across the Judicial Branch.
• Oversees preparation of financial reports, audits, expenditure analyses, budget forecasts, and other financial information used to support executive decision-making and statutory reporting requirements.
• Provides leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management for professional accounting, financial, and court operations staff while fostering employee development, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborates with judicial leadership and operational divisions to develop innovative solutions addressing organizational challenges and emerging financial needs.
• Reviews and approves contracts, policies, procedures, financial agreements, and other documents affecting Judicial Branch fiscal operations.
• Serves on statewide committees, workgroups, and advisory bodies and represents the Judicial Branch in matters involving finance, budgeting, procurement, and organizational strategy.

Minimum Qualifications

• A master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field and seven years of progressively responsible financial management experience, including experience overseeing complex budgets, financial systems, and professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
• Experience in governmental, judicial, or public-sector finance.
• Experience presenting budget requests to legislative or executive branch officials.
• Experience leading enterprise financial system implementations, financial modernization initiatives, and organizational change efforts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of accounting principles, GAAP, financial reporting standards, and auditing practices.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, and policies governing finance, procurement, contracting, and grants administration.
• Knowledge of legislative budgeting processes, appropriations cycles, and fiscal note development within state government helpful, but not required.
• Knowledge of internal controls, risk management frameworks, and compliance requirements for safeguarding public funds.
• Skill in strategic financial planning, forecasting, and long-range fiscal analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Skill in developing, presenting, and defending complex budgets and financial strategies before legislative and executive stakeholders.
• Skill in analyzing complex financial, operational, and policy issues and translating data into actionable recommendations.
• Skill in leading enterprise financial operations, including accounting, payroll, procurement, and centralized payment systems, along with modernization initiatives.
• Ability to provide executive leadership for statewide financial operations and effectively manage and develop high-performing professional teams.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with judges, legislators, executive officials, auditors, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly and persuasively in writing, presentations, and legislative testimony.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in high-stakes fiscal and policy decisions affecting statewide operations.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a complex, fast-paced public-sector environment while ensuring accountability and compliance.