Finance Officer
Job Description
Onslow County Government, which operates under a Commissioner-Manager form of government, seeks a Finance Officer to oversee the Onslow County Finance and Purchasing Departments. The Finance Officer, who reports to the County Manager, is a valuable member of Onslow County’s Executive Staff Team. This position must be committed to conducting long-range fiscal planning, enhancing morale within the Finance department, and building long term working relationships with the Board of Commissioners, County Management team, County departments, local municipalities, public school system staff, and business vendors.
The Community: The City of Jacksonville is the County seat, and the areas surrounding the City constitute the major population centers and growth areas in the County. The County has a population of more than 200,000 and includes the incorporated towns of Holly Ridge, Richlands, Swansboro, North Topsail Beach, a portion of Surf City, and unincorporated Sneads Ferry. Onslow County is proudly the home of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, the largest military installation on the east coast. Onslow County is located on the coast of Eastern North Carolina and offers a temperate climate and beautiful beaches.
Position Responsibilities
Onslow County’s Finance Officer will be responsible for maintaining, controlling, and analyzing the fiscal operations of the County, to include upholding the County’s Moody ratings. The Finance Officer will lead two departments, with a combined total of 17 employees, while taking the initiative to engage the staff, be a leader of change and innovation, and advance the Finance Office’s efficiency and effectiveness. The Finance Officer will be responsible for attending the Board of Commissioners meetings, presenting agenda items with confidence, and providing timely and accurate follow-up information.
Onslow County utilizes Munis software, developed by Tyler Technologies, to maintain all financial operations, to include payroll and budget maintenance. The Finance Officer is required to maintain adequate accounting records to document compliance with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. This position will be responsible for safeguarding assets and investing idle funds to ensure an adequate return on investments.
The Finance Officer works in conjunction with department designees to prepare annual budget estimates, budget amendments, and provide department budget recommendations. It is the position’s responsibility to advise County Administration and the Board of Commissioners on State of North Carolina activities, which may affect the County’s financial position.
All Onslow County positions are required to perform assigned functions as a Disaster Ready Team (DRT) member.
Qualifications
The successful candidate:
- Has comprehensive knowledge of general laws and administrative policies governing municipal financial practices and procedures
- Has a comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting in government
- Has experience evaluating complex financial systems and efficiently formulating and installing accounting methods
- Is a motivated leader who will work alongside employees carrying out tasks and encourage staff to provide input and feedback on processes
- Has a proven track record of developing and supporting staff to achieve excellence through increased training, responsibility, productivity, morale, and retention
- Communicates excellently, both verbally and in writing, and possesses well-developed interpersonal skills and abilities
- Will establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and governmental officials
- Has experience formulating long-range fiscal planning
- Thrives in a culture of high-performance expectations and personal accountability
- Has a track record of developing high departmental standards
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education, Experience, and Special Requirements
Onslow County seeks a finance professional with strong leadership skills, who possesses a master’s degree with coursework in accounting, finance, or related field. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in progressively responsible finance positions, including considerable management level experience. In lieu of a master’s degree, an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Possession of a Certified Local Government Finance Officer certification and/or a Certified Public Accountant certification is preferred.
This position will be advertised until filled.