Career Center

The Chief Financial Officer has full accountability for fulfilling BREC’s established mission, vision, and objectives in directing all financial activities of the Commission’s Funds. This executive level position is responsible for planning, developing, and administering broad financial policies and procedural improvements throughout the organization. Prepares departmental budget, mid-year, and annual reports, establishes, and develops financial policies, attends meetings, advises the Commission and Superintendent on compliance of relevant legislation. The Chief Financial Officer will direct and oversee the financial activities of the agency, direct the preparation of current financial reports and summaries, and create forecasts predicting future growth.

Requirements and Job Specifications

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
Preferred: Master’s degree

Area of Study (major) Required: Accounting, Finance, or any related field.

Certification(s) Required: N/A
Preferred: Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

License(s) Required: Valid LA driver’s license.

Years Relevant Work Experience: Eight to ten (8-10) years progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting and finance administration, with at least four (4) years in a supervisory capacity at the senior management level. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), practices of public financial administration with emphasis on automated accounting systems, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Understanding of federal employment and payroll laws (DOL and FLSA), IRS regulations regarding social security and FICA reporting, Affordable Care Act (ACA) limits and reporting requirements, W-2, 1099, and 1095-C creation and reporting requirements, Louisiana Department of Revenue and City Sales Tax filings.
• Knowledge of emergency and disaster management with the ability to be an effective liaison with representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (GOHSEP).
• Thorough knowledge of applicable laws including public contracts and public bid laws (LA R.S. 38 & 39), regulations, procedures, and processes governing the receipt, custody and expenditures of governmental monies. 
• Proven administrative, leadership and management ability in financial strategic planning and organizational development.
• Skill in the use of computers including various accounting software.
• Ability to develop, monitor, and maintain financial management information systems and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and over the telephone.
• Ability to research, analyze and interpret complex information and produce clear verbal and written reports.
• Ability to plan, assign and direct the work of administrative and subordinate staff in the specialized fields of accounting, purchasing, and payroll administration.  
• Ability to estimate tax revenues within reasonable limits and oversight of general obligation debt.
• Ability to assess performance problems and identify appropriate training and development programs.
• Ability to make policy decisions.
• Ability to effectively listen to and assist in the resolution of complaints.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other department heads, BREC officials, and the public.

Functions and Duties

Essential Functions and Job Duties:
 

• Directs the preparation of all financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, shareholder reports, tax returns, and governmental agency reports.
• Compares projected self-generated revenues to actual figures and budgeted expenses to actual expenses; makes or oversees any necessary adjustments to future projections and budgets.
• Reviews planning process and suggests improvements to current methods.
• Analyzes operations to identify areas in need of review and provides recommendations to Superintendent.
• Works with executives to coordinate planning and establish priorities for the planning process.
• Studies long-range economic trends and projects their impact on future growth in self-generated revenues and market share.
• Oversees investment of funds and works with investment bankers to raise additional capital if needed.
• Compiles budget requests from departments and estimates revenue for coming fiscal year. 
• Prepares, amends, and controls fund budget to ensure that expenditures do not exceed budgetary appropriations.
• Analyzes, reviews and audits internal control systems and financial procedures.
• Recommends and implements changes to procedures when necessary.
• Responsible for the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports. 
• Confers and works with outside auditors and other agencies related to financial activities.
• Prepares the detailed budget in conjunction with the Finance Advisory Committee and review performance routinely.
• Negotiates and administers contracts for audit, IT and financial reviews.
• Supervises the maintenance of all property records and assets of BREC.
• Oversees the financial results of risk management activities.
• Manages insurance and excess insurance policies.
• Manages cash balances and cash requirements. 
• Develops financial studies, plans, forecasts, and estimates.  Gather, interpret, and prepare data for studies, reports and recommendations.
• Develops, implements and maintain policies and practices relating to financial issues.
• Directs the accounting for the Employees Retirement System.
• Hires, fires, trains, and directs the evaluation process of all finance employees and assume directional responsibility for on-the-job training programs and staff development. 
• Provides to the Superintendent financial reports on revenues, expenditures and any variations from budgets.  
• Ensures that all financial reporting and legal requirements are met in relation to submissions for funding, grants and contracts.
• Establish long term goals and objectives.
• Advises the Board on compliance with all relevant legislation.
• Attends meetings and oversees agenda for the Finance Advisory Committee, as well as participates at professional conferences as a representative of the agency.