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Job Specification

FISCAL OFFICER  

DEFINITION:

Under direction, plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs a system for managing financial resources of a department, autonomous agency, jurisdiction, or other government entity; does other related duties as required.

NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Organizes, develops, directs, and performs work involved in the management of financial affairs of a local government unit or agency, and controls receipt and/or disbursement of monies.

Supervises and performs professional functions involved in the analyses and audit of accounts, vouchers, and other records, and prepares statements concerning the financial condition of the local government unit or agency.

Provides technical guidance in reviewing, analyzing, evaluating, and reporting on program accomplishments in financial terms.

Compares performance with operating plans and standards as reflected in financial data.

Reports on and interprets financial data with the objective of promoting economy and efficiency in the execution of programs.

Develops, coordinates, and executes financial policies, procedures, and plans.

Develops, coordinates, and maintains an integrated system of financial staff services through synthesis of data and information flow to provide the necessary financial control for the organization.

Confers with and serves as technical financial advisor to management on financial problems and other related matters.

Supervises clerical and accounting staff and assigns their duties and responsibilities.

Prepares financial reports.

Prepares budget requests.

Prepares, audits, and edits reports of costs and other financial summaries and statements.

Reviews disbursements and controls to ensure adherence to contractual obligations.

Supervises and maintains essential accounting records and files.

Organizes, leads, and controls assigned staff through delegations to intermediary supervisory personnel.

Provides technical and administrative guidance to staff.

Adjusts the established organizational pattern to meet office needs.

Selects, evaluates, and disciplines employees.

Establishes internal operating policies and procedures.

Plans projects or programs and recommends changes to existing operations.

Estimates budgetary needs of the fiscal operation and allocates resources appropriately.

Prepares annual budget for the entire organization in accord with established procedures and policies.

Oversees and provides assistance to operational and staff units in developing their respective components of the overall budget.

Forecasts anticipated budgetary increases/reductions based on analysis of agency goals and needs.

Monitors expenditures against allocations to ensure disbursements do not exceed authorized funding levels.

Develops recommended cost containment plans as are necessary to ensure proper fiscal administration.

Maximizes revenues by ensuring proper state/federal reimbursements.

Develops and maintains a system of accounts consistent with policy, procedures, and requirements of the organization and applicable state/federal statutes and rules.

Conducts periodic audits and inspections of varied financial transactions and records.

Manages the organization's automated financial and statistical reporting system to ensure information is accurate and produced timely.

Prepares fiscal/statistical reports.

Analyzes fiscal/statistical management reports.

Submits corrective plans to the head of the organization as appropriate.

Supervises the operation of the unit's data processing activities to ensure that input is accurate and that output is sufficient to provide all needed financial and statistical information.

Supervises and reviews accounting procedures used throughout the agency to ensure that procedures are uniform and consistent.

Establishes and supervises the maintenance of budgetary controls.

Confers with all unit heads and prepares the budget based on information obtained, correcting and adjusting as necessary.

Prepares or directs the preparation of reports required by third party reimbursement agencies.

Prepares or directs the preparation of reports to government agencies required by law.

Sees that agency financial operations are in accord with all legal requirements.

Monitors financial reports of all units to see that they are in conformity with required procedures and policies.

Performs or directs the performance of cost analyses of the organization and recommends changes based on established norms.

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Nine (9) years of professional experience involving accounting, budgeting, auditing, and financial analysis and reporting, five (5) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in accounting.

OR

Possession of a current, valid certificate as Registered Municipal Accountant or Certified Public Accountant issued by the NJ State Board of Accountants or as a Certified Municipal Finance Officer issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

OR

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in accounting; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

OR

Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or Business Administration; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.

LICENSE:

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of principles, methods, techniques, and systems of financial management.

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures used in budgeting, accounting, internal auditing, program evaluation, and financial and managerial reporting.

Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing installation and operation of a government system of accounts and their application to specific situations.

Knowledge of the preparation of involved and detailed accounting and other financial reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Knowledge of government budgeting preparation, problems, practices, and methods, and their application to specific situations.

Knowledge of automatic data processing systems, procedures, and controls.

Ability to utilize principles, methods, techniques, and systems of financial management.

Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate difficult and complex financial programs.

Ability to develop, apply, and adjust financial plans and policies to attain organization objectives.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management.

Ability to apply sound, independent judgment in the solution of financial problems and in the administration of a financial program.

Ability to make oral and written presentations in a clear and concise manner, and select, develop, and supervise subordinate staff.

Ability to analyze and make objective and logical determinations from financial data and to draw sound conclusions therefrom.

Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
VariantState,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
01857LC N/A35-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

7/08/1997