Bartow County is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to fill a key position on their leadership team. Bartow County is approximately 45 miles North of Atlanta and 65 miles south of Chattanooga, Tennessee along Interstate 75 and comprises approximately 470 square miles. Bartow County is home to a number of award-winning museums and historical landmarks, including the Rose Lawn Museum, the home of renowned evangelist Samuel Porter Jones; the George Washington Carver Park, established in 1950 as Georgia’s first state park for African Americans; and the Etowah Indian Mounds, a 54-acre archaeological site located along the Etowah River and one of the largest and most intact Indian mounds remaining in North America. Bartow County has two strong school systems, Cartersville has a charming, historic downtown and three Smithsonian affiliated museums. HGTV ranks it the most charming small town in Georgia. Allatoona Lake has Red Top Mountain State Park and many campgrounds, day use areas and boat launches. Bartow County is in a very strong financial position and over the last several years has experienced a moderate growth rate. The County Government has a sole commissioner form of government. There are only seven counties in Georgia still using this form, Bartow is the largest county by population still using sole commissioner form. Mr. Steve Taylor is the elected sole commissioner and serves the governing authority for the County. All departments of the County work under the authority of the sole commissioner except those under the authority of other elected officials. The Commissioner hires a County Administrator to assist with daily operations including management of all budgets. Bartow County currently has a General fund of $138 million, Enterprise Funds totaling $122 million and funds of $12 million. In 2024, the County’s SPLOST revenues exceeded $36 million.

The CFO works closely with the Sole Commissioner and the County Administrator to manage the finances of the County; meets with Department Heads to forecast and prepare expenditure budgets and Capital Improvement Plans; manages multiple funds and investments and manages a team of six. This position has direct supervision over an Accountant (1), Accounting Coordinator-AP (1), Accounting Technician-Senior-AR (1), Accounting and Finance Coordinator-AP (1), Administrative Coordinator (1), and Part Time AP Clerk (1).
The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with financial responsibilities related to appointed departments and elected Constitutional Officers. In addition, the ideal candidate should demonstrate a working knowledge of: GASB; governmental auditing; CAFR use and preparation; budget development related to general, capital, and enterprise funds; internal controls; grant management; and payroll/benefit responsibilities.
Find details about the position expectations by reviewing the recruitment brochure at www.mercergroupassociates.com

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or similar field of study is required. Master’s degree and/or CPA desired but not required.
• A minimum of five years of accounting/finance experience in a governmental organization with complexity similar to Bartow County along with three years of supervisory experience is required. Any equivalent and combination education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position will be considered.
Compensation & Benefits:
The expected starting salary range is $125,000-$147,000 based on the candidate's qualifications. In addition to a competitive salary, the benefits package includes health, dental, vision insurance, flexible and health spending benefits, life insurance, short-term & long-term disability, and retirement plans. The incumbent will also accrue vacation and sick leave on a monthly basis. Full-time employees (at least 30 hours per week) are eligible to participate in the hybrid retirement plan Bartow County offers. Relocation expenses are negotiable.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates must submit by email a cover letter, resume, a list of at least five job-related references (with names, email addresses and phone numbers), as well as salary history no later than the close of business on June 30, 2025, to lisaward912@gmail.com. Please direct any questions to Lisa Ward, Senior Associate, Mercer Group Associates, at 706-983-9326 or Alan Reddish, Senior Associate, Mercer Group Associates, Cell: 706-614-4961.