FISCAL OFFICER
Great Pay & Benefits
Employee paid health & life insurance, Paid Time Off including Sick & Holiday
Retirement Plan Options
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Agency: The South Walton Fire District (SWFD) is a professional fire/rescue agency located in Walton County, Florida. SWFD maintains 5 fire stations, a communications center and provides beach safety services for the South Walton Beaches. SWFD is responsible for Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Services Transport, Lifeguards, Hazard Mitigation, Public Fire/Life Safety Education and Prevention as well as 911 Communication Services for an area of 84 square miles and serves a population ranging from 40,000 to over 150,000 during the tourist season.
Job Description: The South Walton Fire District is seeking an accomplished financial professional for the position of Fiscal Officer. This position serves as the District’s principal financial advisor and is responsible for maintaining a system of financial management that provides reasonable assurance of accuracy, transparency, accountability, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, governmental accounting standards, Board policies and District procedures.
This is an at-will exempt position that will normally require a 40-hour work week. Alternate work schedule may be available. The Fiscal Officer works closely with the Assistant Chief of Administration, Fire Chief / Administrator, executive staff, and Board of Fire Commissioners, providing financial analysis and guidance on the District’s financial condition, budgets, revenue projections, financial risks, audits, and long-term financial outlook.
The Fiscal Officer has broad responsibility for financial management, including:
Major Duties:
- Serves as the District’s principal financial advisor
- Participates in strategic and program-planning activities
- Directs and reviews maintenance of the general ledger, chart of accounts, funds, account reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end and year-end closing processes
- Directs and reviews payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, purchasing, banking, reconciliations, and general accounting functions
- Oversees tax reporting, garnishments, retirement contributions, leave-liability accounting, employee benefit payments, vendor reporting and other required payroll and tax filings
- Develops, implements, documents and evaluates internal financial controls
- Evaluates budget and financial requests for fiscal viability and ensures expenditures are consistent with adopted budget, Board authorization, purchasing requirements and applicable financial policies
- Manages the treasury functions, including cash-flow forecasting, banking relationships, liquidity, collateralization, and investment activities
- Serves as staff liaison to the Pension Board and provides financial and administrative support consistent with assigned responsibilities
- Leads the development of the annual operating and capital budgets using historical financial information
- Coordinates and administers the annual Truth in Millage (TRIM) process, including preparation of required calculations, forms, advertisements, notices, and public hearing schedules
- Establishes and maintains financial procedures for emergency and disaster operations
- Manages Fiscal Division staff
Knowledge Required by the Position:
- Thorough knowledge of governmental accounting principles, generally accepted accounting principles, Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements, fund accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, auditing, and internal controls
- Considerable knowledge of Florida laws and administrative requirements applicable to independent special districts
- Exceptional analytical and organizational skills
- Experience with budgets, audits, payroll and financial reporting
- Ability to design, document, evaluate, and improve financial processes and internal controls
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgement
- Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, draw supportable conclusions, interpret complex technical instructions, and address multiple abstract and concrete variables
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- Leadership abilities and a collaborative approach to teamwork
Minimum Qualifications:
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, finance, budgeting, auditing, or governmental financial administration, including at least three (3) years of supervisory or managerial experience.
- Demonstrated experience with governmental or public-sector accounting
- Strong computer proficiency, including accounting, spreadsheet and financial reporting software
- An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and progressively responsible experience may be considered if it provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
- National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS-100 and IS-700 certifications, or the ability to obtain both certifications within six (6) months of employment
- Must be a non-smoking/non-tobacco (including vape products) person while on duty.
- Ability to successfully pass a background check and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), or comparable governmental finance credential
- Experience performing governmental accounting within a local government, independent special district, fire district, or other emergency services organization
Physical Demands:
Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of office equipment including computers, calculators, copiers, telephone systems, etc. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Must be able to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Environment:
This position is primarily office-based in a professional environment. Evening or extended hours may occasionally be required.
NOTE: Reasonable accommodation considerations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.
DURING OCCASIONS OF LOCAL EMERGENCIES, THIS POSITION MAY BE REQUIRED TO REPORT TO PERFORM EMERGENCY TASKS, WHICH MAY RESULT IN EXTENDED WORK HOURS, AS WELL AS EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY MEMBERS.
Pay: $118,610.00 - $154,193.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Travel reimbursement
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
