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Job Specification Details

Financial Director I

Job Code 089130
Pay Plan Classified
Pay Grade 28
Occupational Category Management
Effective Date 02/14/2010
Class Definition

Managerial responsibility for all fiscal operations for major programs, a large department or an agency. Oversees accounting work in the maintenance, review and reconciliation of financial records to ensure compliance with accepted accounting principles and standards. Supervision over senior professional, professional and technical accounting personnel is typical. Responsible for all fiscal functions, including budget development, auditing, internal controls, fiscal operations, federal program fiscal administration. May serve as an assistant director. Duties are performed with significant independence under the general direction of a higher level administrative superior, department, or agency head.

Examples of Work

Responsible for: Budget development for a department or an agency. Monthly financial reports. Department level internal control systems. Cost analysis. Posting, balancing and reconciling accounting records. Directs fiscal office processes and procedures. Financial statements, summaries and reports. Staff performing maintenance of accounting and financial records such as budgeting, payroll and auditing. Complex accounting activities such as: compilation and analysis of complex data for federal reports, reconciliation of benefits accounts, processing payment for contractual services requiring utilization of cost distribution formulas, coordination systems for multiple offices or departments, analysis of accounting initiatives. Analysis and distribution of multi-program costs to appropriate funds. Serves as the senior liaison with federal agencies, other state departments, or local community partners. Fiscal management of federal grants and federal program fiscal administration. Performs related duties as assigned.

Environmental Factors

Work is performed in a standard office setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of administrative and management practices and procedures.

Thorough knowledge of organization concepts and principles and how to apply them to existing or proposed businesses.

Considerable knowledge of data processing capabilities, procedures, and requirements.

Considerable knowledge of information systems and reporting capabilities.

Considerable knowledge of computerized financial management information systems.

Working knowledge of economic principles and policies, particularly as they relate to public service.

Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and practices, with particular emphasis upon governmental accounting (GASB), including governmental funds, proprietary funds (enterprise and internal service funds), and fiduciary funds.

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of budget preparation and administration procedures, particularly as they relate to the public sector.

Ability to plan and execute difficult financial management analysis and to devise solutions to complex problems.

Ability to supervise and train personnel.


Considerable knowledge of cost principles established under federal rules OMB A-87 for administrative and program costs.

Familiarity with department programs.

Considerable knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures, particularly as applies to competitive bidding and/or contract procedures.

Working knowledge of contract administration principles established under Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) statute.

Considerable knowledge of cost benefit analysis.

Considerable knowledge of the principles of organizational design and development.

Considerable knowledge of program evaluation concepts and practices, including establishment of program goals, evaluation criteria, and management techniques.

Ability to conceptualize and chart a management information system.

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting departmental policies and procedures.

Ability to conduct investigations into sensitive or controversial issues and render objective findings and recommendations.

Working knowledge of grants administration and management practices with experience.

Working knowledge of space management, purchasing practices, inventory controls, and records systems.

Understanding of organization concepts and principles and how to apply them to existing or proposed structures.

Ability to prepare a variety of complex financial reports and documents.


Ability to correctly interpret and apply complex laws and regulations to program situations.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in accounting or a bachelor's degree in any discipline that includes or is supplemented by 20 credit hours in accounting and two (2) years of professional level accounting, budgeting, fiscal auditing, fiscal analysis, federal program fiscal administration or other professional level fiscal operations experience which has included managing a major fiscal program or operation.

OR

Master's degree in accounting, business or public administration or a related field AND one (1) years of professional level accounting, budgeting, fiscal auditing, fiscal analysis, federal program fiscal administration or other professional level fiscal operations experience including managing a major fiscal program or operation.

OR

Associate's degree AND four (4) years or more of professional level accounting, budgeting, fiscal auditing, fiscal analysis, federal program fiscal administration or other professional level fiscal operations experience which has included experience managing programs, funding sources or staff OR six (6) years or more of experience managing a significant fiscal program or section.

OR

High school diploma or equivalent and seven (7) years or more of professional level accounting, budgeting, fiscal auditing, fiscal analysis, federal program fiscal administration or other professional level fiscal operations experience which has included experience managing programs, funding sources or staff.

OR

One (1) year as a Financial Manager III with the State of Vermont.

Note: For some positions preference may be given to applicants with experience managing large fiscal operations.

Preferred Qualifications
Special Requirements

For some positions experience working with the VISION system (VISION is the State of Vermont PeopleSoft financial management system) may be required.