Finance Director

Company: County of Oconee
Location: Walhalla
Posted on: February 16, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Description: Job posted until filled. Entry salary is $95,111.63 (Salary is dependent upon qualifications) GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this position is to plan and direct all County financial management, accounting and reporting functions according to federal, state and local laws, policies and regulations. The Director of Finance has to perform a variety of complex professional, administrative, supervisory and technical accounting and finance functions involved in maintaining the fiscal records and systems of the County, and to advise administrators and legislators in their oversight of County business affairs. The position researches and formulates long-range goals for the organization, develops policy and position papers and negotiates with chief administrative officers and/or elected officials. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out but may be considered incidental in the performance of this job. Plans, organizes and directs all programs and activities of the Finance Department, with emphasis on developing and maintaining effective procedures and procedural improvements to the County’s fiscal management system. Supervises the operation of the Finance Department; assigns workloads and establishes work schedules; directs and supervises duties of assigned staff. Assigns, reviews, and plans the work of others; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; allocating personnel; selecting new employees; acting on employee problems; and recommending employee promotions, transfers, discipline, discharge, and salary increases. Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers advice and assistance as needed. Provides adequate training and development of department staff. Performs or assists subordinates with assigned duties; investigates and corrects technical errors. Serves as the County’s chief financial adviser, providing direct assistance to the County Administrator in financial matters and regarding various special projects. Establishes and maintains internal control procedures, and ensures County compliance with state and national standard accounting procedures. Works with the County Attorney, administrative staff, County Council, and federal and state officials to develop and ensure adherence to sound fiscal and administrative policies. Develops, analyzes and interprets statistical and accounting information in the evaluation of the fiscal soundness and operating effectiveness of the County. Forecasts and monitors the financial condition of the County, and prepares related reports. Directs the preparation and administration of the County’s annual budgets; reviews operating budgets periodically to analyze trends affecting budget needs; monitors revenues and expenditures and performs appropriate cost control activities. Develops and administers the department budget; ensures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities and time. Directs and/or reviews the financial aspects of various County projects to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures. Develops, directs and monitors county internal control procedures and programs. Coordinates County accounting activities. Oversees County accounts payable functions; authorizes all payments. Oversees payroll administration. Monitors capital project expenditures and the County's Debt Service; makes budgetary adjustments, as necessary. Manages the County’s debt service. Directs and reviews annual audits by external auditors, and conducts periodic reviews of the County’s finances to detect and resolve discrepancies and other problems. Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes; prepares periodic and special financial reports as required by the County and other agencies. Oversees the central computerized financial and management information system. Coordinates department activities and functions with those of other County departments, municipalities and outside agencies as appropriate. Conducts and attends various staff meetings as required; represents the County at various local, regional and national conferences and meetings. Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests for assistance from County personnel, elected officials and citizens regarding general County financial matters. Presents financial information and issues to external groups as required. Oversees the A.C.F.R. (Annual Comprehensive Financial Report) Facilitates long-range capital improvement planning and program financial management. Oversees the accuracy and timeliness of the following processes: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, General Accounting, Budget, Grants Management, Mail Services and others. The position is guided by generally accepted federal and state guidelines (GAAP), and as such, can operate autonomously with those guidelines. Most of these decisions impact the budget, and are made in collaboration with other department heads. Any exceptions to stated guidelines must be reviewed by the County Administrator and external auditor. Works additional hours (beyond 40 hours in one week) or report to duty outside of regularly scheduled hours as necessitated by the work. Serves at the Emergency Services Operation Center in the event of a county emergency or disaster. Performs other related duties as assigned. Requirements: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of Governmental Fund accounting, operational and capital budgeting, financial reporting, and management Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and theory and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board’s (GASB) Principles and Statements. Knowledge of County operations, services and policies. County ordinances, state and federal laws, standards, policies, principles, and procedures, pertaining to accounting, budgeting, and financial matters for governments. Knowledge of the Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 pertaining to the financial management, accounting, internal controls and auditing requirements of federal grants. Knowledge of general trends and recent developments in public sector (governmental) accounting. Economic and financial data reporting models and analytical tools. Knowledge of internal and external auditing procedures, requirements, and reporting. Knowledge of Governmental debt instruments and compliance requirements. Knowledge of general principles of employee supervision and management. Knowledge of Governmental ERP software features. MS Excel at an intermediate to advanced level and the other MS Office products and Adobe Acrobat Pro at a basic level. Data format conversion and manipulation techniques. Knowledge of basic mathematics, algebra, and statistics and their applications. Knowledge of basic office policies and procedures; Research methods and techniques. Ability to work on own recognizance without detailed written instructions. Ability to appropriately interpret and apply accounting standards, principles, theory and guidance. Ability to make critical independent decisions on a wide variety of financial documents and reports. Ability to analyze accounting activities and prepare journal entries and financial statements and reports. Ability to provide management and direction of staff. Ability to utilize research methods, tools and techniques. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to operate computers and peripheral devices. Ability to use spreadsheet, document processing, database, email, and other common software packages. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, management, and staff. Ability to provide excellent customer service. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting or directly related field, and eight (8) years of related work experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Professional accounting, however governmental accounting experience preferred. LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS: Required : Must possess certification as a Governmental Finance Officer, or must be able to obtain within three to five (3-5) years. Preferred : Certification as a Certified Public Accountant, or comparable professional designation. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. This position has the following special vision requirements: close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less); distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more); color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors); peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up or down and to the left and right when vision is fixed on a given point); depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships); adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus). WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in a relatively safe and secure indoor office environment.

Keywords: County of Oconee, Augusta , Finance Director, Accounting, Auditing , Walhalla, Georgia