Chief Financial Officer

Closing date: October 6, 2024

Located in Eastern NC, the City of Fayetteville seeks a team player who is an approachable, collaborative, and accountable finance professional to serve as its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This position seeks professionals with significant knowledge of GAAP accounting, familiarity with Oracle systems, and experience with process improvement and policy implementation.

The Fayetteville Finance department manages Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Collections, Payroll, Cash and Debt Management, and Risk Management. The next CFO will join an organization whose leaders are intentionally focused on positioning the community to thrive in the years ahead. Significant investments in the community's housing, infrastructure, and personnel are top priorities for the city’s leaders to help navigate and shift its transient military culture.

The ideal candidate is high-energy, approachable, and demonstrates impressive aptitude and drive. This hands-on position is for the technically skilled professional with the expertise and experience to build and sustain foundational and enhanced processes, systems, and reconciliations. This CFO will work swiftly yet strategically to position the department for success, striving for overall excellence and GFOA recognition of its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

In addition to addressing the day-to-day operations of the finance department, the City of Fayetteville’s next CFO will prioritize the following:

• Through strategic and targeted initiatives, reduce turnover and invest in staff training, development, and cross-training while mentoring staff and developing a culture and commitment to service.
• Oversee the implementation of various projects including the audit and ACFR preparation, HR module, and revisions of the ERP system.
• Evaluate and revise the organization’s governmental accounting, reporting, processes, and procedures to ensure reliable, efficient systems that are compliant with NC and federal laws and regulations.
• Rebuild the department’s reputation and establish a culture of collaboration, trust, open communication, and credibility.
• Assess and update grant management practices and internal controls to ensure federal and state compliance.

Fayetteville’s next CFO must maintain the highest level of integrity, demonstrate the ability to make challenging decisions, and advocate for changes to uphold the organization's values, mission, and strategic direction while improving its financial position, reputation, and compliance.

About the Organization, Department and Position: 

The City of Fayetteville operates under a council-manager form of government. Over 1,800 full-time and 300 part-time seasonal employees work across 19 departments. The City’s FY 2030 strategic plan positions the city to be a safe and secure community, a responsive City Government supporting a diverse and viable economy, a city invested in today and tomorrow, a highly desirable place to live, work, and recreate, a financially sound city providing exemplary city services, and a city that continues to have a collaborative citizen and business engagement base. Explore more about the City of Fayetteville here. 

Reporting to the City Manager, the CFO oversees and coordinates the city’s finance department. The CFOmust ensure the city’s accounts comply with generally accepted accounting principles and disburse all funds in strict compliance with the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. The CFO is also responsible for efficiently procuring goods and services to support city activities, preparing statements of financial condition, investing city funds, and maintaining records concerning the city's bonded debt and other obligations.

The City of Fayetteville contracts its community's water, sewer, electric, and gas services. The city's FY 2025budget of $321M, which is supported by a tax rate of $.4995 per $100 of assessed tax value, includes:

• General Fund: $218.6M
• Solid Waste Fund: $19.5M
• Transit Fund: $14M
• Stormwater Management Fund: $13.7M
• Airport Fund: $7.4M

Fayetteville’s CFO oversees 31 staff, including 4 direct reports: Treasurer, Assistant CFO of Administration, Assistant CFO of Procurement, and an ERP Systems Analyst.

Qualifications: 

The following are required:

• A bachelor’s degree* in accounting, finance, business, public administration, or related field.
  • *Note: A master’s degree, NC Certified Public Finance Officer designation, and/or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) are preferred.
• 5 - 7 years of progressively responsible and broad-based professional experience managing financial and accounting functions for a local government or private industrial organization. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.
• NC Public Finance Officer Certification within one year of hire, contingent upon the availability of the courses.
• The ability to be bonded and possess a valid driver's license in NC.
• Residency within Fayetteville’s city limits is preferred for this position. Relocation assistance is available, the terms of which will be negotiated.

Salary and Benefits: The anticipated hiring range for this position is $140,000 - $165,000. Salary will be determined based on experience and credentials. The City of Fayetteville offers a comprehensive benefits package, including the outstanding NC Local Government Retirement system with vesting after five years. The city will consider relocation assistance based on personal circumstances. 

To apply, please visit governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates and click on the title of Chief Financial Officer – City of Fayetteville, NC. Please note the following:

• All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) – NOT the city’s employment application portal or any other external website. 
• Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application. 
• Applicants should apply by October 6, 2024.
• The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluations on November 6-7, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate. 
• Direct inquiries to hiring@developmentalassociates.com.

The City of Fayetteville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates, LLC manages this position's recruitment and selection process. To learn more about our selection process, visit https://developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/ scroll down to “Important Information for Applicants.”

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• Developmental Associates

• 9198136096, ext 101