GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Finance Director performs complex executive work planning, organizing, and directing the financial activities of the Town, and related work as required. This position serves as the chief financial officer and administrative head of accounting for the Town of Waxhaw, directing all fiscal affairs, accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls. This position acts as the statutory Finance Officer under the North Carolina Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act (NCGS Chapter 159). In addition to executive financial planning, this role carries direct controller-level operational responsibility for general ledger integrity, financial statement preparation, pre-auditing, system reconciliations, and strict compliance with GASB, GAAP, and Local Government Commission (LGC) rules.

Work involves setting financial policies and goals under the direction of the Town Manager. Provides leadership and exercises supervision over department personnel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Statutory Finance Officer Duties (NCGS § 159-25)

Pre-Audit & Disbursements: Pre-audit all contracts, purchase orders, and obligations to certify that budget appropriations exist and disburse public funds in strict compliance with NC General Statutes and local budget ordinances.
Treasury & Cash Management: Maintain custody of all local government funds; oversee daily deposits, bank reconciliations, and investment of idle funds within state-authorized limits.
Debt Administration: Track and service general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and installment financing; coordinate debt filings and approvals directly with the North Carolina Local Government Commission (LGC).

2. Controller & Accounting Operations Oversight

General Ledger & Month-End Close: Maintain and safeguard the general ledger structure across all funds (General, Enterprise, Capital Project, Internal Service); manage month-end and fiscal year-end financial closes.
Internal Controls & Audit Readiness: Design, implement, and monitor internal control systems across all departments to prevent fraud, misallocation, or non-compliance; ensure audit-ready financial records year-round.
Financial Statement Preparation: Draft interim financial statements, balance sheets, and cash flow analysis; coordinate directly with external auditors to prepare working papers for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
Transaction Operations: Oversee day-to-day operations and balance verification for Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Purchasing, and Payroll.

3. Strategic Financial Management & Budgeting

Collaborate with the Town Manager on multi-year financial forecasting, Capital Improvement Project (CIP) financing, and operating budget assembly.
Monitor departmental spending, revenue streams, and budget-to-actual variances; prepares formal budget amendments and fund balance projections as needed.
Advise management and the governing board on fiscal health, fund balance policy compliance, and revenue trends.

4. Regulatory Compliance & Grant Controller Oversight

Ensure compliance with North Carolina public purchasing laws (G.S. 143-129 / G.S. 159) and Uniform Guidance for federal/state grant awards.
Perform post-award grant accounting, drawdown tracking, and single-audit schedules for grant-funded projects.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: Comprehensive knowledge of general laws and administrative policies governing financial practices and procedures; comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting and budgeting in government. Must have thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of a local government purchasing system; the practices, methods and laws relating to local government bond financing; ability to evaluate complex financial systems and efficiently formulate and install accounting methods, procedures, forms and records; ability to prepare informative financial reports and develop long range financial plans; ability to plan, organize direct and evaluate the work of subordinate employees; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town officials, associates and the general public.

Required Education & Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or Business Administration with heavy coursework in accounting.
Experience: 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in government accounting, municipal finance, or public sector auditing (including direct experience with controller duties such as GL reconciliation, financial statement preparation, and internal auditing), with at least 3 years in a management capacity.

Preferred Qualifications & Certifications

Master’s Degree: Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), MBA, or MPA.
Certifications:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — strongly preferred for controller duties.
- Certified Local Government Finance Officer (NC State/NCGFOA) — required or obtainable within a specified timeframe.

Core Technical Competencies

Thorough mastery of NCGS Chapter 159 and LGC financial reporting requirements.
Deep practical knowledge of GASB standards, GAAP, modified accrual governmental accounting, and enterprise fund mechanics.
Advanced technical skills in municipal ERP finance software (e.g., Tyler Munis, Edmunds, Southern Software) and complex spreadsheet analytics.
Demonstrated ability to establish sound internal accounting controls and lead complex fiscal audits.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This work is sedentary and requires little to no exertion of force; work regularly requires sitting and occasionally requires repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office with computer printers, light traffic).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Final applicant is subject to pre-employment drug screen and background check.
Attendance at regular board meetings, audit presentations, and budget workshops (including evening meetings).

BENEFITS: 5% 401k Contribution; NCLGRS Enrollment; Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance; Paid Time Off; Professional Development, Family-friendly environment and more.

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

Town of Waxhaw, NC

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Finance Director