Chief Financial Officer

DASH•Alexandria, VA

6d•$150,000 - $175,000

About The Position

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) develops, organizes, and manages all financial functions for Alexandria Transit Company (ATC) and its employer subsidiary, Transit Management of Alexandria, Inc. (TMA). These functions include budgeting, grants and capital projects, accounting, payroll, treasury, financial reporting, procurement and contract administration, risk management, and internal controls. The CFO stewards public funds from federal, state, regional, and local sources and ensures that funds are budgeted, obligated, spent, recorded, and reported in accordance with funding requirements, applicable law, and the public trust. A key member of the Executive Leadership Team and strategic advisor to the GM/CEO and Board of Directors, the CFO translates strategic goals into financial plans and develops financial policies, procedures, and programs under the direction of the GM/CEO. This is also a hands-on leadership role in a small finance department, involving daily approvals, reviews, reconciliations, and deadlines. The CFO leads the Finance Department and oversees financial planning and reporting, the annual operating budget and ten-year rolling capital improvement program, grant and capital funding compliance, accounting, payroll, treasury, procurement, contracts, insurance, risk oversight, internal controls, and audits. The CFO presents financial information to company, city, and elected stakeholders; advises departments on budget priorities; supports staff training and development; and ensures compliance with applicable public-sector requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
At least five years in financial administration with progressive growth in responsibility.
At least five years of experience in local government, transit finance, or a related governmental or public field, including budgeting, accounting, leadership, and management of grants and capital projects.
At least five years in a senior leadership role.
Excellent knowledge of transit and/or local government finance and accounting, including GAAP, internal control theory, and relevant laws and regulations.
Knowledge of public-fund administration, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) federal grant requirements and state and local funding and reporting requirements.
Knowledge of public-sector procurement, cash and disbursement controls, and commercial insurance programs.
Ability to work strategically and hands-on, including long-range financial planning and daily transaction review and approval.
Ability to collect and analyze large amounts of data with strong attention to detail in a deadline-driven environment.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 Suite and related standard web-based systems.
Experience with one or more general-ledger accounting systems and web-based payroll/HRIS systems.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including preparing clear, accurate, concise reports for executive and elected stakeholders.
Ability to develop, write, and implement policies, procedures, guidelines, and plans.
Ability to coach, supervise, and manage employees professionally and support their success.
Ability to make quick, independent decisions within the scope of responsibility; maintain effective working relationships with employees, the public, and the community; concentrate despite frequent interruptions; handle occasional long hours and high stress; and maintain confidentiality and discretion.

Nice To Haves

Certified Public Accountant (CPA); the company will reimburse costs for continuation of accreditation once hired.
Experience with Tyler Technologies Munis ERP and Paycom.
Experience with public-sector procurement.
Experience in a union environment.

Responsibilities

Lead, guide, and set priorities for the Finance Department; supervise the Accounting Manager, Fiscal Analyst, and Operations Payroll Specialist, and direct the data team’s financial and regulatory reporting work.
Translate company strategic goals into financial plans and advise the GM/CEO on the financial implications of service, capital, and workforce decisions.
Present financial updates and reports to the GM/CEO, ATC Board of Directors, City leadership, City Council, and other City boards and commissions.
Provide company-wide training and development on finance, procurement, and compliance, and address sensitive employee matters involving payroll and benefits.
Develop the annual operating budget and ten-year rolling capital improvement program within the City of Alexandria budget process; prepare estimates, presentations, and supporting materials.
Produce recurring and ad hoc budget reports, monitor actual revenue and expenditures against budget, and continuously project year-end results.
Exercise budgetary authority by authorizing personnel requisitions and purchase orders; advise departments on budget priorities and the financial implications of proposed staffing changes, and assess whether implemented changes achieved intended results.
Serve as the main liaison with grantor agencies and appropriate City staff; facilitate compliance with grant policies, procedures, and conditions.
Ensure grant funds are used for eligible, allowable, documented purposes and that reimbursements are processed accurately and on time; pursue external funding and support competitive grant applications.
Promote sound project management and grant compliance across the company, including training TMA Project Managers; engage with City T&ES on grants involving ATC.
Oversee accounting operations and payroll, ensuring transactions comply with GAAP; supervise the Accounting Manager and coordinate with the City Finance Department.
Prepare monthly and annual GAAP financial statements and ad hoc reports for company and City stakeholders; prepare accurate, timely financial reports for the FTA National Transit Database.
Review and approve payroll registers, authorize payroll transfers and related remittances, and maintain appropriate separation of preparation, review, and approval duties.
Manage banking relationships, cash position, cash-flow forecasts, grant reimbursement draws, and authorized disbursements and wire transfers under dual control.
Administer the corporate credit card program, including cardholder approvals and limits, allowable-use rules, reconciliations, documentation, and compliance reviews.
Administer TMA’s 401(k) plans in coordination with Human Resources and plan service providers; approve eligible participant transactions, reconcile contributions, support compliance testing and filings, and ensure employees receive appropriate service and notices.
Serve as the primary company liaison for financial matters with the union representing select TMA employees, process dues deductions, participate in collective bargaining, and project the fiscal impact of agreement provisions.
Maintain the Accounting Manual, policies, and procedures; oversee records retention and support FOIA compliance for financial records.
Serve as Purchasing Agent and Contracting Officer under the GM/CEO’s authority; ensure procurement complies with applicable laws and regulations, develop and update the Purchasing Manual, oversee purchasing procedures, and approve requisitions and purchase orders within delegated authority.
Collaborate with departments to assess procurement needs and suppliers; manage vendor relationships and negotiate contracts with the GM/CEO, ensuring appropriate insurance and indemnification terms.
Manage the company’s non-health insurance program, including renewals, broker relationships, coverage limits and retentions, certificates, and premium budgeting.
Partner with Human Resources on annual health-benefit selection, self-funded claims cost analysis, and cost subsidy strategy; work with Safety and Human Resources on claims-related financial oversight, reserves, loss-run analysis, and reporting without directly adjudicating or administering claims.
Design, maintain, and improve internal controls that safeguard company assets and public funds and ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance, FTA requirements, Virginia requirements, and City policy.
Design and oversee recurring internal audits and verifications, including inventory, fuel, and purchasing-card reviews; coordinate audits across departments and report results and corrective actions to the GM/CEO.
Manage company finance and compliance audits, support the City’s annual financial statement audit, and respond to grantor, state, and federal reviews.
Exercise fiduciary responsibility, disclose and avoid conflicts of interest, comply with ethics standards and the Virginia State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act, and promptly report material control weaknesses, suspected fraud, misuse of funds, or significant financial risk to the GM/CEO and, when warranted, the Board.
Perform other related tasks and duties as assigned.