Finance Manager

Maricopa Association of Governments•Phoenix, AZ

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

MAG is seeking a team-oriented Finance & Accounting professional to lead a team in the Fiscal Services Division. This is a hands-on, working manager opportunity that not only supervises seasoned fiscal staff, but actively performs complex technical accounting, financial reporting, and analytical tasks. The Finance Manager requires an all-encompassing operational knowledge of all public sector fiscal areas—including those outside of direct daily oversight, such as procurement and payroll—to ensure organizational continuity, cross-functional support, and the maintenance of internal controls. The Finance Manager is a critical member of the team and serves as a key financial advisor to executive leadership and division directors, optimizing the organization's fiscal health, grant compliance, and overall administrative workflows.

Requirements

Applying principles and practices of public sector fund accounting, financial, compliance, budget preparation and performance auditing
Analyzing, interpreting, and correcting complex financial records, grant expenditures, payroll registers, and ledger transactions and recommend effective solutions
Applying post-award grant accounting and reporting principles, internal control practices, and required record-keeping techniques
Implementing policies and produces in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards related to auditing and governmental accounting
Managing financial information systems, enterprise resource planning systems, and other fiscal applications
Preparing clear, concise, and professional technical reports, grant reimbursement submissions, financial statements, and administrative correspondence
Establishing and maintaining positive, cooperative working relationships with staff, management, auditors, grantors, external agencies, and the public
Apply independent analytical and evaluative judgment to solve complex, non-routine financial, procurement, payroll, and grant accounting compliance problems
Exercise sound judgement to make critical decisions
Explain and simplify complex laws, regulations, policies, or procedures
Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
Manage multiple projects with competing timelines effectively
Organize and coordinate the efforts of multidisciplinary teams with diverse stakeholders
Manage financial information systems, enterprise resource planning systems, and other fiscal applications
Plan, develop, implement, and assess strategic goals and objectives
Coach, mentor, and build a cohesive, proactive team environment focused on high productivity and accurate performance
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to build and audit complex financial models, utilize advanced formulas, manage large datasets via Pivot Tables, and ensure data integrity across cross-functional workbooks
Functional fluency or hands-on configuration experience with Workday Financials, specifically across core modules such as General Ledger, Grants Management, Procurement, and Payroll. Other large ERP systems are valuable as well, Workday is preferred
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Business, Finance, or related field; master’s degree preferred
At least seven years of applicable experience demonstrating progressively responsible public sector accounting, finance, or budgeting experience
A Minimum of 3 to 5 years of direct supervisory or team leadership experience, specifically managing professional-level accounting or fiscal staff
Demonstrated experience applying 2 CFR Part 200 and FTA and/or FHWA post-award grant requirements, including grant financial reporting, expenditure monitoring, indirect cost allocation, internal controls, and audit compliance
Proven experience with post-award grant administration, governmental fund accounting (GASB), and managing the federal Single Audit process

Nice To Haves

Experience migrating, implementing, or optimizing modern cloud-based ERP systems (e.g., Workday) is a plus
Prior experience working within a municipal government, county government, or regional planning agency (COG/MPO) is highly preferred

Responsibilities

Staff Supervision & Development: Oversees day-to-day fiscal operations and drives team performance through targeted training, coaching, and personnel development.
Direct "Working" Fiscal Operations: Processes transactions, manages multiple accounting closes, approves and posts journal entries, and prepares or reviews complex reconciliations.
Financial Reporting & Auditing: Manages GAAP-compliant financial reports and statements, leads the annual external audit, prepares federal indirect cost allocation plans and annual Form 990 tax returns.
Post-Award Grant Management: Oversees grant financials across the agency, monitoring revenues, expenditures, and milestones while ensuring SEFA compliance and resolving Single Audit findings.
Cross-Functional Fiscal Support (Procurement & Payroll): Maintains functional fluency and provides technical guidance, oversight, and backup processing for payroll operations and organization-wide procurement activities.
Budgeting & Forecasting: Directs the annual and biennial budget development process and long-range financial plans, partnering with executive leadership to analyze variances, ensure financial health, and align strategies with organizational goals.
Systems & Major Initiatives: Provides leadership in the development, testing, implementation, and maintenance of major financial technology and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
Internal Controls & Compliance: Establishes and evaluates internal controls to safeguard public assets, ensuring all operations, procurements, and grant expenditures strictly comply with all applicable laws and funding requirements.
Strategic Planning- Provides financial insights and supports the development of long-term financial strategies through optimization, resource allocation, identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.