Finance Director & County Auditor

Grant County is seeking an experienced, strategic, and detail-oriented Finance Director / County Auditor to lead the County’s financial management program and serve as a key advisor on fiscal operations, reporting, compliance, and long-range financial planning. This position reports to the County Administrator and plays a central role in maintaining strong financial systems, supporting the annual budget process, coordinating audit activities, and promoting consistent county-wide fiscal practices.

Schedule

• Full-time, 80 hours bi-weekly
• Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Pay

• Annual salary: $109,075
• Starting bi-weekly pay: $4,195.20

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting or Business Administration or related field
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure is preferred. Candidates who are actively pursuing CPA licensure or who bring comparable governmental finance leadership experience will also be considered.
• Four or more years of professional auditing or accounting experience
• Experience in governmental auditing and accounting
• Experience in budget management and systems analysis
• Equivalent combinations of job-related education and experience may be considered

Responsibilities

• Create, update, and coordinate with all departments the implementation of financial procedures, fiscal reporting, and accounting methods
• Perform monthly and periodic reconciliation of account and financial statement balances, budget preparation, and budget management
• Maintain the County's general ledger, recording receipts and disbursements of money
• Assist in pre-auditing of bills and other county expenditures
• Make recommendations to the Executive Committee and to the County Board for the need to change accounting methods and systems to conform to reporting and auditing standards as required by rules or law
• Close Highway Department books annually and provide closing entries and a trial balance to department staff
• Complete and/or oversee accounting activities for the Social Services Department, including processing of vendor payments, preparation of contract reimbursement claims, and financial reporting and analysis
• Prepare pre-audit supporting schedules for annual review by the independent auditor to reduce the amount of time and cost of the annual audit
• Serve as the liaison between the county departments and work with the auditors while they are conducting the audit
• Prepare Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MDA) and Schedules of State and Federal Awards for audit report
• Provide a balance sheet and financial statement for the County Board annually
• Supervise the opening and closing of the County books of account, and reconcile closing balances to the budgetary financial statements for the year
• Assist the Executive Committee and the County Board in preparing statistical data in support of financial goals
• Plan, organize, and assist the County Administrator in the preparation and adoption of the annual budget for the County
• Calculate and prepare apportionment sheets for municipalities
• Prepare and submit the levy limit worksheet to the Department of Revenue
• Confer with the Human Resources Manager on the fiscal impact of proposals received from the employee unions and provide costing information to the Human Resources Manager with respect to the County’s proposals for labor negotiations
• Prepare and enter General and Appropriation journal entries
• Reconcile payroll withholding accounts and annual W-2 reports as required
• Oversee preparation of federal and state withholding, unemployment, and retirement reports
• Reconcile all cash accounts with departments, including balancing Treasurer's Cash with the County Treasurer monthly
• Oversee payroll and general voucher computer input
• Prepare the annual Financial Report Form to the Department of Revenue for Grant County as required by Section 73.10(2) of Wisconsin Statutes
• Track, monitor, and implement state and federal law and tax changes related to income tax, payroll, arbitrage regulations, single audit requirements, tax rate freeze formulas, etc.
• Perform duties of County Auditor as prescribed by Sec. 59.47 of Wisconsin Statutes
• Establish county-wide uniform policies in financial procedures, fiscal reporting, accounting methods, payroll procedures, and budget preparation
• Establish, with the approval of the Executive Committee, fiscal policies of the County to ensure uniform operation
• Provide advice, counsel, and direction to all department heads to ensure effective administration and implementation of approved fiscal policies, plans, and programs
• Perform other administrative duties as may be required by the County Board

Skills

• Knowledge of the principles and theory of accounting and auditing
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
• Knowledge of Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting (GAAFR)
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and administrative rules governing municipal financial management
• Knowledge of governmental accounting, cost analysis, and a concise appraisal of administrative fiscal management
• Ability to apply the principles and theory of accounting and auditing to the required governmental standards
• Ability to produce meaningful and useful information data
• Ability to prepare and analyze complex reports, financial statements, and relevant data pertinent to audits and required reporting to other governmental agencies
• Ability to analyze, summarize, and present financial information clearly and concisely
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information concerning the County’s position in labor relations
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and governmental officials, department heads, and employees
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with others

Supervision

• Works under the general direction of the County Administrator
• Supervises the Accountant and Accounting Assistant
• Exercises supervision over departmental accounting and reporting methods for all departments in Grant County