Assistant Finance Director – Rock County

Rock County is looking for its next Assistant Finance Director, come join our Financial Services team! This highly professional accounting position maintains the County’s fiscal records and systems. This includes supervision and oversight of the Accounting Division and oversight of the Payroll Division. Work involves responsibilities for the implementation and maintenance of accounting standards throughout all County offices. Maintain the County’ general ledger, act as system’s administrator for the County’s accounting software and to produce and/or develop reports as needed. This position must understand internal controls and implement processes to maintain separation of duties. Our ideal candidate will have experience in both accounting and payroll, the ability to lead and guide a team for the good of the County as a whole, and communicate well across all levels of the organization.
This recruitment will close on Friday, September 12th, 2025 at 5:00pm.
Applications will be screened the week of September 15th, qualified applicants will then be contacted to interview the week of September 29th, 2025.
50% Maintain the County’s general ledger and acts as systems administrator for accounting software:
-Oversees the maintenance of the County’s general ledger by guiding and reviewing the work of the Accounting Division
-Deals with more unusual or complex issues as well as researching and implementing new accounting requirements
-Maintains the County’s chart of accounts
-Performs significant majority of accounting activities necessary to close the year and record all related material transactions
-Organizes the preparation for the County’s annual audit, including the single audit, and acts as lead
-Prepares more complex audit work papers and works closely with other County departments during audit preparation
-Review new GASB standards and implement the standards for the county
-Manage and maintain the County’s fixed assets. Work with departments who manage and maintain their own fixed asset schedules for accuracy
-Record new borrowings in the general ledger and update related workpapers
-Reconcile general ledger accounts that are not assigned to others or require significant knowledge or skill
-Monitor fund balances and classifications
-Reviews and posts journal entries
15% Compile, review and confirm the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal and State Awards (SEFSA)
-Review all federal revenues for consideration of inclusion in the SEFSA
-Gather and review grant agreements to gather information required for the SEFSA
-Confirm that federal awards should be included in that year’s SEFSA
-Review and extract information from GEARS and SPARC reports for the SEFSA
-Work with departments to confirm information
-Lead and coordinate the single audit, gathering work papers and supporting documents and answering questions
5% Act as a liaison to county departments in conjunction with the Finance Director and help train departments in financial duties
-Works with other departments to promote good accounting practices, provide direction and advice, answer questions, and solve problems
-Reach out to department managers as necessary to perform duties or facilitate county work.
-Review department work flows and train department finance managers and clerks on how to perform their financial activities
5% Supervise financial services employees
-Direct and train Accounting Division employees in the performance of their duties and department activities
-Review their work and provide feedback
-Conduct performance evaluations
-Assist the Payroll Supervisor in oversight of the Payroll Division
-Conduct hiring, promotion, and disciplinary actions as necessary
10% Administer the county budget
-Assist the Finance Director and Administration with the development of the County budget
-Review the budget to ensure that transactions are recorded as intended, including cost allocations, charge backs, revenue allocation and annual transfers
-Review and post budget amendment resolutions and transfers
-Assist the Finance Director and Administration with the development of the County’s Five- Year Capital Improvement Plan
-In conjunction with the Finance Director, assist departments with administration of the County budget and associated problem resolution
10% Oversee the County’s Payroll Division
-Act as backup to the Payroll Supervisor as needed for oversight of the Payroll Division and payroll processing
-Researches and assists the Payroll Supervisor in implementing changes to state and federal tax laws and reporting requirements
-Monitors payroll accounts, investigating and trouble shooting problems as necessary. Works with Payroll Supervisor, HR, and IT to implement process changes and enhancements
5% Performs other duties as assigned
Success Factors (KSA’s)
-High level of discretion with decisions restricted only by Departmental and County policies. Little direct guidance from supervisor. Important goals would not be achieved and the financial, employee, or public relations posture of the County would potentially be seriously affected should an erroneous decision be made
-Considerable knowledge of accounting principles/procedures and of their application to a variety of transactions and problems
-Considerable knowledge of governmental accounting and public administration, including GASB pronouncements and GAAP procedures
-Working knowledge of state and federal statutes related to governmental accounting/reporting
-Considerable knowledge of payroll processing, procedures, and employer tax law as it relates to payroll administration
-Knowledge of policies and procedures of the Wisconsin Retirement System and Social Security Administration as it relates to payroll administration
-Considerable knowledge of computer software packages, including but not limited to excel, word, etc.
-Ability to apply accounting principles to the maintenance of voluminous financial and accounting transactions
-Ability to manage projects and prioritize tasks
-Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and detail while working under time constraints. Ability to work well under pressure to meet deadlines
-Ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedural questions
-Ability to research and resolve financial questions
-Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external contacts which require skill in dealing with and influencing others, as well as initiating changes in policy/procedure to address the issue so to avoid having to deal with the issue again in the future
-Ability to effectively resolve conflict with tact and diplomacy
-Ability to supervise, train, and direct staff
-Ability to express ideas clearly, orally and in writing
-Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse populations at all levels of the organization, outside vendors/client representatives/peers and the public, and ability to relate effectively with people of varied backgrounds using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy
-Ability to work autonomously, in team/collaborative environments, and cross-functionally with other departments
-Ability to think strategically, commit to continuous process improvement, and work collaboratively within the organization
-Skilled in listening, critical timing, problem analysis, and problem solving
-Skilled in monitoring one’s own work to ensure quality, accuracy, and thoroughness. Sound judgement in recognizing scope of authority
Job Requirements, Education, Training & Experience
-Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
-Three to five years accounting experience preferably in governmental accounting
-Supervision experience

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/rock

Deadline Note: This recruitment will close on Friday, September 12th, 2025 at 5:00pm. Applications will be screened the week of September 15th, qualified applicants will then be contacted to interview the week of September 29th, 2025.