Budget and Audit Manager

Job Summary

Under general guidance and direction of the Chief Financial Officer, this position performs complex and difficult professional forecasting and analysis in long-range planning, coordinating, and conducting complex research related to budgeting and financial management. The incumbent prepares detailed graphs and information showing complex challenges facing the county budget and provides options for addressing these issues. Incumbent also serves as primary liaison with the auditing firm, preparing the detailed Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and overseeing the annual financial audit. The incumbent also assists with cost analysis for a variety of programs and initiatives being considered in the county.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Plans, organizes, develops, coordinates, and maintains complex budget models. 
• Performs highly responsible administrative and professional duties involved in budgeting, maintaining and building budget system reports, budget analysis, and budget forecasting. 
• Develops strategic planning models showing impacts of financial actions, allowing decision-makers to understand choices and varying impacts of decisions. 
• Coordinates and manages the annual budget processes. 
• Serves on Ad-hoc and on-going teams related to a wide variety of county initiatives, including various strategic initiatives and labor negotiations.
• Gathers, analyzes, prepares, and summarizes recommendations for financial plans, trended future requirements, and operating forecasts.  
• Develops financial modeling, budgeting, planning, and reporting systems. 
• Manages preparation of financial reports (e.g., Annual Comprehensive Financial Report [ACFR]), overseeing complex report preparation and serving as liaison between the Office of the State Auditor and Scott County. 
• Keeps current on accounting and financial reporting standards and state statutes and determines impact to Scott County; helps implement changes required to ensure county financial processes adhere to laws, requirements, and best practices.
• Oversees financial audits, addressing and answering the concerns of stakeholders and/or the auditing firm. 
• Prepares and reports quarterly financial information; works with various staff to address and resolve issues. 
• Educates others on the complex world of public sector budgeting, answering complex questions and providing information in response to requests.
• Manages and supervises the work of other staff and process related to budget, financial reporting, and the annual financial audit.
• Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.
• Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals. 
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires equivalency of a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a directly related field, and six years of experience in a budgeting/financial reporting environment.

A reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S)

Certified Public Account (CPA) certification is highly preferred as is experience in local government finance and budgeting. Experience with GAAP and GASB requirements desirable.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

Work is performed under general guidance and administrative direction of the Chief Financial Officer. The employee works on their own initiative with considerable latitude for independent judgment.

 

The incumbent directs and oversees the work of others; including, program/service planning and delivery, personnel selection, evaluation of work performance, training, and disciplinary activities. Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

The incumbent promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to others.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Knowledge of financial planning and forecasting techniques.

Knowledge of the principles, practices of public administration, and techniques of local government budgeting and financial management.

Knowledge of state and local statutes and county policies relating to financial and administrative practices.

Abilities – Ability to analyze data from a variety of sources, making inferences and conclusions, and reporting recommendations in clear, concise form, both orally and in writing.

Ability to effectively plan, coordinate, and independently conduct a variety of projects of complex difficulty.

Ability to analyze complex financial information, to analyze and audit information, and to articulate actions to address financial issues.

Ability to present clear and concise verbal and written communication, including ability to conduct effective presentations.

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees, county officials and supervisors, and the general public.

Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, has group presentation skills and conduct effective meetings.

Ability to synthesize complex and diverse data into meaningful information for organization decision makers.

Ability to adapt the organization to changes in the business environment.

Ability to prepare and to supervise the preparation of comprehensive and detailed financial records and reports.

Ability to work in arenas of conflict and bring diverse opinions to a resolution or consensus.  

Ability and skill to organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of professional, technical, and administrative support staff.

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure and professionalism.

Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting.
Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.