Address
Form of workCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
(Budget, Accounting, Contracts and Procurement)
Salary Information: B32, $13,250.00 - $14,500.00/MO.
State Classification: Director VII - 1626
FLSA Status: Exempt
Posting Number: 24-58542-3R
Location: Austin, TX
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online at via CAPPS. Applicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en.
WHO ARE WE
The Texas Department of Agriculture's key objectives are to promote the production of agriculture, consumer protection, economic development and healthy living. The Financial Services Division supports TDA programs by performing financial duties in the areas of accounting, budget, purchasing, contracting, accounts payable and payroll.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner. You will direct and oversee the effective management of the Texas Department of Agriculture's (TDA) Financial Services to include competency in the areas of state agency accounting, payroll, procurement, budgeting, and the capability to supervise day-to-day in those disciplines. Additionally, you will supervise the Chief Information Officer, who is in charge of the agency's Information Technology. You will be responsible for developing, executing, achieving and long-term planning of the agency's strategic goals, objectives and mission, and managing complex issues. You will provide financial information and advice to the Commissioner of Agriculture, Deputy Commissioner, Executive staff, Senior staff, and the Texas Legislature and its various committees as needed. You will work under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide direct leadership and oversee all management and oversight functions of the Financial Services Division and high-level oversight of the Chief Information Officer's supervision of IT. This includes personnel management functions, performance appraisals, timesheet approval, accounting month and year end close, controlling expenses, budgeting, and ensuring compliance with agency policies and procedures. The CFO must have practical supervisory competency in state agency accounting, payroll, procurement, budgeting, as well as the capability to supervise day-to-day those disciplines.
Oversee, manage, and monitor TDA personnel disciplinary processes and practices, including performance appraisals, and ensure they are completed within established timelines, all required actions have been taken in proper order and complete and adequate documentation is maintained; and ensure objective metrics are utilized and directors are evaluating consistently and equitably; work with Human Resources to ensure TDA policies are upheld and followed.
Direct and oversee the agency's financial operations, including payroll, accounting month and year end close, purchasing/contracts, payment processing, cash management, financial reporting, budget development and monitoring, revenue estimating; and ensure division compliance with agency policies and administrative requirements.
Identify financial and information resources needed to accomplish TDA's mission, goals, and objectives; and develop fiscal policy and guidelines for the agency.
Oversee the development and ensure the accuracy of the Strategic Plan, Legislative Appropriations Request, operating budget, Annual Financial Report and other required reports and documents. Establish division goals and objectives, including the division's strategic plan; establish, develop, and approve schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and perform ongoing planning functions to meet performance targets and improve operations while following division and agency policies and procedures.
Provide information to the Legislature, Legislative Budget Board (LBB), Comptroller of Public Accounts, Governor's Office of Budget and Planning, State Auditor's Office, Sunset Commission, Senate Finance Committee and House Appropriations Committee, Department of Information Resources as well as other state and federal agencies requesting financially related information.
Direct and oversee the development of grants policy and procedures; ensure that TDA meets all federal and private financial standards for grants management; and ensure that grants funds are expended appropriately and in accordance with generally accepted accounting requirements.
Conduct annual cost recovery studies and assist with the analysis of agency minority procurement data.
Serve as the Chief Financial Officer in legislative information and financial services business, including providing testimony at legislative meetings, compiling financial information, and communicating with legislative and oversight agency staff.
Oversee and provide guidance to agency staff in preparing fiscal note responses to the LBB during the legislative session.
Oversee internal operating budgets to ensure fiscal viability.
Monitor and maintain awareness of payables meeting requirements for prompt payment.
Monitor and maintain awareness of agency travel reimbursements are meeting the 45-day reimbursement standard.
Monitor and analyze Accounting monthly and year end close are in accordance with State of Texas guidelines.
Monitor and analyze budgets, expenditures, and encumbrances to identify problems, prepare budget amendments as necessary; and advise the program staff, division management, and upper management on the status of agency budgets.
Monitor state and federal grant expenditures; and assist in preparing and overseeing state and federal grant reports in accordance with state and federal guidelines, including requests for reimbursement.
Evaluate division operations and performance to identify and implement short-range, mid-range and long-range goals and objectives; and monitor progress and develop and implement corrective action plans, as required.
Serve as a direct liaison to the private industries, other government agencies and various other entities with which the division interacts.
Ensure the division staff is technically proficient in meeting long-term operational goals through activities such as classroom training, team building, on-the-job training, job rotations and special assignments and projects. Ensure employees share knowledge through cross training.
Develop and review federal and state laws, regulations and policies related to the division; work closely with the Legal Services Division to draft appropriate changes in TDA rules, regulation, or policy.
Monitor and report on hearings of legislative committees, such as the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees, during regular and special sessions for actions that may impact TDA. Testify at legislative meetings, as necessary
Perform quality assurance work to analyze program efficiency and effectiveness and to develop procedures for improvement or the initiation/revision of policies and procedures.
Manage financial division projects from pre-inception to implementation, including new policies and procedures to ensure program efficiency and effectiveness. Participate in and provide leadership for special division projects and guide business process improvement and cultural change.
Provide consultative and technical assistance and respond to technical requests related to the duties of the division to businesses, other TDA staff, related state agencies and organizations.
Oversee the status on each project assigned and/or developed and report performance of the division's efforts. Maintain high level oversight of the agency's information resources program and the CIO.
Represent the divisions and act as the point-of-contact on all issues and at functions related to the division as assigned by the Deputy Commissioner.
Ensure consistent and effective communication with the internal management regarding issues pertinent to their operations.
Follow all TDA policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:
Bachelor's Degree.
Eight (8) years' state of Texas work experience in budget (preparation and analysis), accounting (general accounting, payroll, accounts payable), and/or procurement/purchasing.
State of Texas online accounting systems mastery or work experience (CAPPS and USAS).
A Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics or related field or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license (in good standing) can substitute for an undergraduate degree and two (2) years of work experience.
Private sector high-level work experience in budget (preparation and analysis), accounting (general accounting, payroll, accounts payable), and /or procurement/purchasing can substitute for up to four (4) years of the eight-year state of Texas work experience requirement.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in good standing in Texas.
Two (2) years' work experience serving in a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) capacity or analogous subject matter supervisory role at a State of Texas agency.
State agency accounting and financial operations experience, including experience in preparing the Annual Financial Report (AFR) and/or experience with Legislative Appropriations Requests (LAR).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Extensive working knowledge of Texas state laws pertaining to public funds, governmental finance and automated accounting systems; of governmental accounting theory, Comptroller of Public Accounts accounting policies and the General Appropriations Act; of the legislative process; of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program activities and/or business functions; and the principles and practices of public administration and management.
Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy, and in the use of a computer and applicable software. Excellent leadership, management, and strategic planning skills; and critical thinking skills.
Ability to direct and organize program activities and/or business functions; to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; to prepare reports; to communicate effectively; to energize, develop and build rapport at all levels within an organization; to make presentations and testify at hearings; to supervise the work of others; and to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
ENVIRONMENTAL/PHYSICAL CONDITIONS,
This position requires work in a normal office work environment, and may have exposure to dust, environmental allergens and pathogens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Work activity is mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. You must be able work extended periods at a computer and may be required to work extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. This position may involve travel (up to 5%*), occasionally overnight.
TELEWORK & WORK HOURS
Telework is not authorized for any TDA personnel at the supervisory level. Specifically, this position is not eligible for telework.
Standard office hours for agency employees are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our agency offers alternate schedules for employees, if it does not adversely affect operations and service levels, and standard hours of operation are maintained.
BENEFITS
The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:
u Retirement Plan
u Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees
u Paid Holidays
u Paid Vacation Leave
u Paid Sick Leave
u Longevity Pay
u Dental
u Vision
u Dependent Optional Life Insurance
u Voluntary AD&D Insurance
u Dependent Health & Life Insurance
u Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts
A skills exercise may be conducted for interview purposes. Only candidates selected for a skills exercise/interview will be contacted.
Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.
*A valid government-issued driver's license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver's license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (gender, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, disability, age, military status, genetic information or protected activity (retaliation). TDA provides accommodations for persons with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need help with the employment process or require other accommodations, please contact the Human Resources office for assistance at (512) 463-7423.
TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homelan...
