Full-timeWest Palm Beach, FL, USA$90k - $100k /yrIn-person
About the Job
Requirements
At least seven to 10 years of overall professional experience; ideally six-plus years of broad financial and operations management experience.
A master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required.
A Certified Public Accountant or Chartered Financial Analyst designation is required.
Extensive experience with enterprise financial and accounting software is required.
Strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills, with a deep understanding of financial management and accounting principles.
A solid understanding of business operations, risk management, and regulations.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Integrity, credibility, and dedication to the organization's mission.
Familiarity with financial regulations and best practices.
Proven experience leading and mentoring a finance team.
Proficiency in creating long-term financial forecasts.
Technology savvy, with knowledge of accounting and reporting software, including in-depth knowledge of Microsoft Excel and its applications.
Commitment to training programs that maximize individual and organizational goals.
Analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills that support sound decision-making.
Responsibilities
Develop long-term financial plans and forecasts.
Oversee budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting functions.
Oversee and lead annual budgeting and budget-planning processes.
Ensure compliance with accounting procedures.
Monitor expenditures and cash flow.
Evaluate financial risks and determine how to minimize them.
Analyze and present financial reports accurately and on time.
Clearly communicate monthly and annual financial statements.
Establish and maintain internal controls to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse; promote compliance with applicable laws, rules, contracts, grant agreements, and best practices; support economical and efficient operations; ensure reliable financial records and reports; and safeguard assets.
Oversee financial, project/program, and grants accounting.
Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaising with external auditors and the Public Defender.
Manage and execute payroll.
Implement a contracts management and financial management/reporting system.
Update and implement business policies and accounting practices.
Implement new processes and technology to increase efficiency.
Direct and coordinate the activities of the finance team.
Manage and mentor employees in the finance department.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with vendors, auditors, and State of Florida personnel.
Desired Qualifications
Experience in a similar role in a state agency is desired.
Organization Description: Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office, 15th Judicial Circuit (PD-15), is a constitutional entity, which works to ensure justice for the poor in Palm Beach County, Florida. Known for its client-centered approach, the office represents indigent people who are charged with committing a criminal offense and unable to hire an attorney to represent them when their life or liberty is at stake. The office also handles appeals to the Fourth District Court of Appeal from the 15th, 17 th, and 19 th judicial circuits.
The office’s mission is to protect, defend, and uphold the constitutional rights of indigent persons to high quality legal representation, fair treatment, and equal justice.
The office handles approximately 30,000 cases per year and has approximately 200 employees including lawyers (120), investigators, social workers, and support staff. The main office, which houses the trial and appellate divisions, is in downtown West Palm Beach and there are four branch offices in other areas of the county. PD-15’s divisions include: County Court, Felony, Mental Health, Major Crimes, Serious Crimes, Youth Defense, and Appeals with Investigative, Forensics, & Social Services Units.
Responsibilities Include: This an opportunity to maximize and strengthen the internal capacity of a well-respected, high-impact organization. The Director of Finance works closely with, and serves as an advisor to, the Palm Beach County Public Defender and senior leadership to translate financial data into actionable insights and help them understand the impact of hiring new employees and implementing other consequential budgetary decisions.
A hands-on participative manager, the Director of Finance leads and develops an internal team to support the following areas: finance, financial planning, accounting, and budgeting. Given the size of PD-15, this individual also focuses on accounting operations and represents PD-15 at key State of Florida Judicial Administrative Commission’s finance and budget meetings and trainings.
Specific responsibilities for the role include, but are not limited to, the following:
Developing long-term financial plans and forecasts
Overseeing budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting functions
Overseeing and leading annual budgeting and budget planning processes
Ensuring compliance with accounting procedures
Monitoring expenditures and cash flow
Evaluating financial risks and determining how to minimize them
Analyzing and presenting financial reports in an accurate and timely manner
Clearly communicating monthly and annual financial statements
Continuing to establish and maintain internal controls designed to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse; promote and encourage compliance with applicable laws, rules, contracts, grant agreements, and best practices; support economical and efficient operations; ensure reliability of financial records and reports; and safeguard assets
Overseeing all financial, project/program, and grants accounting
Coordinating and leading the annual audit process, liaising with external auditors and the Public Defender
Managing and executing payroll
Implementing a robust contracts management and financial management/reporting system
Updating and implementing all necessary business policies and accounting practices
Implementing new processes and technology to increase efficiency
Directing and coordinating the activities of the finance team
Managing and mentoring employees in the finance departments
Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with vendors, auditors, and State of Florida personnel
Required Skills: To be successful as a Finance Director, one must possess strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills, as well as a deep understanding of financial management and accounting principles. A solid understanding of business operations, risk management, and regulations is also important.
Specific skills required for the role include, but are not limited to, the following:
Excellent communication and relationship building skills
Ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
Multi-tasking ability including wearing many hats in a fast-paced environment
Integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of PD-15
Familiarity with financial regulations and best practices
Proven experience leading and mentoring a finance team
Proficiency in creating long-term financial forecasts
Technology savvy with knowledge of accounting and reporting software including in-depth knowledge of Microsoft X-cel and its applications
Commitment to training programs that maximize individual and organization goals
Keen analytic, organizational, and problem solving skills which support and enable sound decision making
Required Background:
At least seven to 10 years of overall professional experience; ideally six-plus years of broad financial and operations management experience
Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation
Extensive experience with enterprise financial and accounting software
Experience in a similar role in a state agency is desired