JOB SUMMARY

The Finance Director is a key member of the town’s leadership team responsible for overseeing all financial operations of the town. Under limited supervision, the Finance Director ensures the fiscal integrity and long-term financial sustainability of the town through sound financial planning, reporting, budgeting, and management of financial systems. The Finance Director develops and implements policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard public funds and support strategic goals. The Finance Director reports to the Town Administrator.

MINIMUM TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration, or related field is required. A master’s degree is preferred.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible financial management experience is required. Prior government experience, specifically municipal government experience, is strongly preferred. Prior experience working in a coastal community is also a plus.
• A minimum of two years of supervisory experience is required.
• Preference may be given to candidates who are licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or designated as a Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is required, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Prior experience with Quickbooks is strongly preferred.
• Must possess a valid South Carolina Drivers’ License.
• Must be bondable.
• The town reserves the right to consider any combination of relevant education and experience that demonstrates a candidate’s ability to successfully perform the duties of Finance Director.
• The successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment criminal background check, drug screening, credit check, and employment verification.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of applicable state statutes, regulations, and local ordinances governing municipal financial practices and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of governmental accounting practices, budgeting principles, and financial reporting standards.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of automated systems and their use in a municipal environment.
• Ability to evaluate complex financial systems and formulate and implement appropriate accounting methods, procedures, forms, and records.
• Ability to prepare and analyze financial records, reports, and statements with accuracy and thoroughness.
• Ability to identify financial trends and conduct long range fiscal planning.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, department heads, governmental officials, and other town employees.
• Ability to take initiative and fulfill duties under limited supervision.
• Ability to perform research and present findings in a clear, concise, and effective manner.
• Ability to supervise, direct, plan, organize, motivate, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Ability to prepare effective correspondence on routine matters and to perform routine office management details without referral to a supervisor.
• Must possess excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Must possess excellent written and oral communications skills and be able to clearly and concisely communicate information to diverse audiences.
• Must have considerable knowledge of administrative practices and procedures.
• Must have knowledge of business English, spelling, grammar, and vocabulary.
• Must be self-motivated, highly organized, able to perform multiple tasks concurrently, and able to work independently and as part of a team.

JOB DUTIES

• Directs and manages all functions of the Finance Department, including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and treasury management.
• Prepares and administers the town’s annual operating and capital budgets in coordination with the Town Administrator and department heads.
• Ensures the timely processing of all accounts payable and receivable, consistent with established policies and procedures.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date financial records in accordance with GAAP and GASB standards.
• Maintains copies of all expenditures and receipts; prepares monthly financial statements; reconciles bank statements and deposits; and enters information into QuickBooks.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local financial regulations and reporting requirements.
• Develops and maintains internal controls and financial policies to safeguard assets and promote transparency.
• Performs fiscal analysis, trend analysis, revenue forecasting, debt service planning, capital budgeting and planning, financial reporting, and related financial management tasks.
• Provides regular reports, forecasts, and strategic financial advice to the Mayor, Town Council, and Town Administrator to support decision-making.
• Researches and compiles financial information requested by the Mayor, Town Council, and Town Administrator.
• Manages the investment of town funds in accordance with applicable state and local laws and policies; processes transfers between the town’s Operating Accounts and the Local Government Investment Pool as needed to meet cashflow needs.
• Identifies and pursues opportunities for grant funding; oversees grant administration and reporting, and ensures proper documentation, compliance, and drawdown of funds.
• Assists with emergency planning and recovery efforts; oversees and monitors the acquisition and distribution of financial resources following a disaster event; ensures proper documentation to support public assistance requests from state and federal agencies.
• Ensures compliance with statutory debt limit and bond covenants, when applicable.
• Coordinates and oversees the annual audit process and serves as liaison with the town’s independent auditor; provides any information, documentation, and/or files which may be requested by the independent auditor in a timely manner; distributes copies of the annual audit report to appropriate state authorities, elected officials, and the public.
• Prepares and submits all required reports, including, but not limited, to State Accommodations Tax Reports, Charleston County Accommodations Tax Reports, and the Annual Municipal Financial Report; ensures that the Seabrook Island Utility Commission (SIUC) prepares and submits a Debt Report Annual Survey, when necessary.
• Ensures compliance by outside agencies with program requirements associated with town-funded grant programs
• Coordinates with the Town Clerk to ensure the timely deposit of all court fines into the court account; assists the Town Clerk with preparation of monthly court reports to the South Carolina State Treasurer’s Office and payment of the Victim’s Advocate Fee to the Charleston County Treasurer’s Office.
• Pursues the collection of unpaid fines and fees; provides information and coordinates with the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s (MASC) Set-Off Debt program.
• Supervises and mentors Finance Department staff, fostering a culture of professionalism, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Attends all meetings of the Seabrook Island Town Council.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or required to meet organizational needs.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS

• Maintains confidentiality of nonpublic information in all aspects of the job, whether information relates to people, activities, or plans.
• Exercises initiative, independent judgment, and discretion in fulfilling job duties.
• Maintains positive customer-focused relationships with co-workers, supervisors, agencies, the public, and all other internal and external customers.
• Consistently demonstrates courteous and professional customer service skills.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

THE TOWN OF SEABROOK ISLAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

It is our goal to provide applicants and employees with equal employment opportunities in recruitment, hiring, benefits programs, training, promotion, leave practices, rates of pay, and selection for supervisory positions without regard to sex, genetic information, age, race, color, national origin, religion, military/veteran status, or disability.