City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Chief Financial Officer

Reporting to the City Manager or Deputy City Manager, and with nominal direction, this position executes responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer for the City of Austin. This position has the fiduciary responsibility for administering all financial proceedings of City government, except for the assessment and collection of taxes. This position oversees the operations of the City's Financial Services Department including Budget, the City's Controller's Office, Purchasing, and Treasury.

1. Maintains a general accounting system for the City government and exercises financial control over all offices, departments, and agencies.
2. Certifies as to the availability of funds for all expenditures. Unless the CFO certifies that there is an unencumbered balance in the appropriation and funds available, no appropriation will be encumbered and no expenditure will be made.
3. Submits to City Council through the City Manager a monthly statement of all receipts and disbursements in sufficient detail to show the exact financial condition of the City.
4. Oversees the development of fiscal budgets for all City of Austin departments.
5. Prepares, at the end of fiscal year, a complete financial statement and report for City Manager submission to City Council.
6. Manages completion of City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
7. Oversees the City's annual financial audit.
8. Attends City Council meetings; explains, justifies, and defends department programs, policies, and activities; and negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
9. Participates in the City Manager's strategic planning process.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and termination.

• Knowledge of the areas of municipal accounting, budgeting, financial control, and financial forecasting methods.
• Knowledge of municipal bonds (general obligation, certificates of obligation, and revenue, etc.).
• Knowledge of municipal investments and investment optimization strategies and techniques.
• Knowledge of modern management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of inter-local agreements and practices and inter-local agency governmental budgetary practices.
• Knowledge of public administration principles, including the basic principles of organization, management, and budget preparation.
• Knowledge of inter-local agency government purchasing laws and practices.
• Knowledge of Local, State, and City rules and regulations; basic laws, ordinances, and regulations underlying a public sector organization; and applicable County, State, and Federal legislation affecting municipalities.
• Knowledge of current best practices of leadership and management.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, executive management, peers, State and County officials, outside agencies and partners, vendors, community groups, general public, and media representatives.
• Ability to work with and coordinate between multiple agencies and different governmental structures to meet inter-local agreement goals and objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient services for the City of Austin.

Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public or Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, plus seven (7) years of experience in municipal financial management, including at least (2) two years of experience in a senior management capacity, i.e. Budget Director, Director of Finance, or Assistant Director of Finance.

• CFO is to be bonded in an amount set by the City Council and the premium paid by the City.