Chief Financial Officer

City of Palm Bay•Palm Bay, FL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the city’s senior financial executive and is responsible for the stewardship, integrity, transparency, and long-term sustainability of the city’s financial operations. This position is more than a traditional finance director’s role. The CFO is expected to be a strategic partner to the city council, city manager, executive leadership team, departments, residents, and stakeholders. Under limited supervision, the CFO leads financial strategy, budget development, forecasting, accounting, debt management, investment oversight, internal controls, financial reporting, grants compliance, utility finance, procurement coordination, and long-range fiscal planning. In this role, the CFO guides and supports the City’s financial operations by applying advanced accounting and financial management expertise to inform decision-making. The position provides leadership to professional, technical, and administrative staff and exercises independent judgment in addressing complex financial issues. The CFO works collaboratively with departments citywide to ensure effective financial stewardship and alignment with organizational priorities. Reports to the City Manager.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher (master's preferred), from an accredited college or university, in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field, plus a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting and finance: OR Associate degree, from an accredited college or university, in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, plus a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting and finance.
Minimum of five (5) years supervisory experience in local government finance administration.
Must possess a valid Florida’s Driver’s License and have and maintain an acceptable driving record.
Must possess and maintain at least one of the following certifications: Certification as a Professional Finance Officer (CPFO); OR Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO); OR Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred

Responsibilities

Directs Finance Department staff and all activities of the Finance Department; develops and communicates financial policies with the staff; develops and maintains a system of budget monitoring and procurement protocol; develops and maintains accounting systems to comply with statutory requirements and governmental practices.
Manages fiscal affairs of the city, involving such activities as preparation and monitoring of the annual budget, financial statements and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); the control of expenditures within approved appropriations; the collecting of fees for licenses and permits, public improvement assessments and other monies due the city; coordinating grant support; and authorizing and accounting for the disbursement of funds.
Develops strategy and coordinates bond issuance process for capital financing and refunding issues with Bond Counsel Disclosure Counsel, City Attorney, Financial advisor, and any other necessary consultants or service providers to complete the sale and delivery of the bonds; prepares financial and statistical data to support the bond issuance process; and reviews and approves bond closing documents.
Prepares request for proposal for services relating to the Finance Department activities, including but not limited to banking and investment services, financial advisors, and lease/purchase agreements.
Serves as treasurer for the City’s Palm Bay Municipal Foundation, a 501(c)(3). Responsible for annual reporting for the Foundation to the State and Internal Revenue Service.
Advises and guides executive management in financial matters affecting the City, including cash management and investment policies, debt management, revenue enhancement and expenditure control.
Develops, reviews and makes recommendations related to various documents, including financial and administrative policies, contractual arrangements, resolutions, ordinances and agenda items related to financial matters; fiscal impact, studies, reports and proposals.
Conducts predictive financial modeling and communicates key fiscal information to City Council to support decision-making.
Interacts with third party consultants, including the pension plan administration, investment advisor, actuary, external auditors, investment advisors and financial institutions, underwriters and bond counsel as needed.
Develops, reviews, and implements special projects as directed by the City Manager, including implementing billing system, developing franchise agreements with utilities, pursuing financial assistance to private corporations and assisting in referendum issues.
Partners with Utility Department leadership to model revenue projections, monitor capital project budgets, and provide technical analysis for municipal rate adjustments.
Ensures organizational adherence to GAAP and GASB rulemaking authorities through the consistent application of evolving municipal fiscal standards.
Responsible for providing high quality, responsive customer service to both internal and external customers of the department. Expected to promote interdepartmental collaboration, build employee morale, and foster a workplace culture of integrity.
Oversees and monitors the department’s KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to ensure targets are achieved.
Standardizes and monitors internal control protocols city-wide to prevent fiscal irregularities and ensure departmental adherence to anti-fraud and error-reduction policies.
Meets with citizen groups to provide financial information on City services programs.
Performs other related work as required.