CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (OCWA)

 02875 (Competitive-PJC)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

                The work involves responsibility for directing and overseeing the financial operations of the Onondaga County Water Authority. The incumbent acts as the custodian of the Water Authority's assets, funds and securities. The Chief Financial Officer's duties include, but are not limited to finance and accounting, investments, internal and external audits, debt management, capital improvement funding, budgeting, payroll, inventory management, purchasing and procurement and preparation and submission of reports. Supervision is exercised over a number of clerical and accounting personnel. Work is carried out at the executive level with wide leeway for independent judgement under the general supervision of the Executive Director. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

        Oversees the Accounting/Finance Department and all financial operations at the Onondaga County Water Authority.

Assists in the preparation of annual and long-range strategic financial plans, and monitors/reports on progress toward set goals and objectives.

        Prepares operating and financial forecasts, compares and monitors against actual operations.

        Assesses income and expense trends, and determines actions needed to remain within operational budget.

        Prepares and implements annual operating rates and charges.

        Reviews departmental staff and program budget requests and develops them for submission to the Executive Director.

        Develops and coordinates bond financing.

        Develops and maintains employee payroll system.

        Participates in the collective bargaining process.

        Develops and maintains all financial management systems, including computerized accounting systems.

        Monitors Water Authority cash flow to ensure adequate funds are available to meet expenditure needs.

        Invests funds to maximize financial return.

        Maintains supervision over the Water Authority's Accounting/Finance Department.

        FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

        Comprehensive knowledge of the purposes, principles, terminology and practices employed in governmental accounting, budget preparation and financial management.

        Comprehensive knowledge of the preparation and interpretation of fiscal, statistical, technical and narrative reports pertaining to Department financial activities.

        Comprehensive knowledge of financial investing, bond financing and the budgeting of large-scale projects.

        Comprehensive knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board accounting principles and Other Postemployment Benefits (OPEB).

        Thorough knowledge of advanced professional techniques, in the fields of accounting, budget preparation and financial management.

        Thorough knowledge of the operations and capital programs of a water authority.

        Thorough knowledge of local and State laws, procedures and policies as they relate to the mission of the Onondaga County Water Authority.

        Good knowledge of Inventory Management, purchasing and procurement.

        Good knowledge of legislation, current problems and professional literature in the fields of accounting, budget preparation and financial management.

        Good knowledge of contracts, leases and vendor negotiation.

        Good knowledge of administrative planning, management and supervision.              

        Ability to analyze recent problems, assess future problems and formulate complex action plans to facilitate resolution of said problems.

        Ability to perform complex mathematical calculations.

        Outstanding professional leadership and team building abilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Open Competitive: 

1. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor's degree or higher in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration and certification as a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA), and five (5) years of professional-level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in financial management and administration.
2. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Master's degree in Accounting, Finance or  Business Administration  and seven (7) years of professional-level experience, or its part-time equivalent, in financial management and administration; or,
3. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration, and  eight (8) years of professional-level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in financial management and administration.

12/2021 Date of Original Composition