Deputy Director of Finance

Department of Finance

Hourly Wage: $57.62-$66.11/Regular/Full-Time

The role of CFO oversees all the key components of the finance function such as financial planning, expense management, accounting, grant management, risk assessment, tax compliance, financial-legal regulations and financial reporting. Responsible for creating and monitoring an airtight legal comprehensive financial manual that includes accounting, payroll, cash management, grant management, and procurement for the optimization of Tribal government operations.

Promoting cross-functional collaboration, customer communication & excellence in service, flexibility & adaptability, and an exponential organic and inorganic growth plan, we seek a CFO to provide strategic and execution leadership of the nation's value creation plan. The position requires an executive with broad business understanding capable of providing insights, recommendations, and assistance in driving successful operational performance and delivery of resources and value to the people of the Yakama Nation.

The CFO works directly with but does not supervise the Finance Officers of each current and future Yakama Nation enterprise and/or corporation.

Examples of Work Performed:

• The CFO will report to the TAD and will be a key member of the executive team. On a functional basis, he/she will oversee all aspects of financial and grant reporting and control, treasury operations, banking relations, tax, audit, risk management, mergers & acquisitions, and the financial planning processes of the nation. The individual selected will play an integral role in advising the TAD and the Tribal Council on financial and business strategies.
• The CFO will examine ways to enhance growth and value creation by evaluating internal and external operations, acquisitions, cash management strategies, and the effective use of assets by understanding the financial and operational risks.
• The CFO will negotiate, finalize and implement indirect cost proposals for the Yakama Nation.
• Serve as one of the trustees and oversee administration and financial reporting of the organization's Retirement Plan.
• Investigate cost-effective benefit plans and other fringe benefits which the organization may offer employees and potential employees with the goal of attracting and retaining qualified individuals.
• Oversee the production of monthly reports including reconciliations with funders and pension plan requirements, as well as financial statements and cash flow projections for use by the TAD, as well as the Audit/Finance Committee and Tribal Council.
• Oversee business insurance plan and health care coverage analysis.
• Work with the Tribal Council Executive Board and TAD in development and negotiation of financial contracts. Provide Tribal Council and TAD with a complete, accurate and up-to-date financial portfolio of the entire Yakama Nation.
• Provide the TAD with an operating budget. Work with the TAD to ensure programmatic success through cost analysis support and compliance with all contractual and programmatic requirements. This includes: (1) interpreting legislative and programmatic rules and regulations to ensure compliance with all federal, state, local and contractual guidelines, (2) ensuring that all government regulations and requirements are disseminated to appropriate personnel, and (3) monitoring compliance.
• Oversee coordination and activities of independent auditors ensuring all audit issues are resolved, and all 401(k) compliance issues are met, and the preparation of the annual financial statements is in accordance with U.S. GAAP and federal, state, and other required supplementary schedules and information.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Uniform Administrative Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and governmental accounting in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), OMB Circulars compliance requirements and appropriate Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) sections, grants compliance supplement, with specific emphasis on fiscal accountability.
• Knowledge of all financial management issues, including Accounting, Budgets, Forecasting, Financial Planning, Reporting and Analysis, Grant Management, Internal Controls, Financial Policy Development and Deployment, Tax, Banking, Lenders, Treasury, Audit, Insurance, Employee Benefits (in partnership with Human Resources), growth in conjunction with the TAD and Financial Systems.
• Ability to communicate all financial matters and issues by proposing corrective action plans when necessary and preparing accurate financials with senior management, Committees and the Tribal Council.
• Ability to ensure credibility with investment opportunities, lender groups, and the business community.
• Ability to deliver results meeting the financial and strategic objectives of the Organization.
• Ability to drive business performance, and a culture of accountability and improve overall financial health.
• Ability to develop a high-performing Finance, Accounting and Grants team.
• Knowledge and ability to collaborate with other functional leaders to establish and effectively deploy strategic plans for the entire Organization.
• Ability to develop an annual operating plan and related budgets, forecasting and growth analysis.
• Ability to develop, plan, coordinate and implement a government-wide budget process.
• Ability to lead and direct involvement with the business and functional leaders in this critical process is expected. Should culminate in a blueprint for achieving overall strategic and operational objectives of the Yakama Nation.
• Ability to ensure leaders have timely data and reporting needed to measure performance and the effectiveness and impact of improvement initiatives, and the analysis needed to understand and address gaps.
• Ability to ensure a culture of integrity, transparency, and compliance with all relevant financial and accounting standards and all applicable laws, codes, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with outside tax and audit firms.
• Ability to understand current technical accounting and information systems.
• Knowledge of general office software, particularly Microsoft 365, Microsoft D365 software (or other similar fund accounting general ledger software), iSolved payroll system, and use of databases.
• Thorough knowledge of the statutes, theories, practices and methods of governmental accounting, financial management, financial investments, assets controls, credit and monetary resources; Federal fiduciary responsibilities to Treaty Tribes sovereign rights and privileges.
• Ability to collaborate with the leadership team by assessing the achievements of the organization's objectives.
• Ability to identify grant opportunities, coordinate projects, and gather data for needs assessments, work to develop relationships with donors, funding agencies and sponsors to secure support for program needs.
• Ability to provide sound leadership to the finance function.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be willing to relocate to Yakima Valley area or already live there.
• This is not a controller position but needs technical accounting skills.
• Supervisory experience with over 50 full-time staff.
• Must have 10 years finance experience, with at least 5 years CPA experience in government accounting. Master's Degree from an accredited college or university may be considered for two years work experience.
• Familiarity with capabilities of contemporary tools and innovative approaches to provide managers with a breadth of data, reporting, and analytical support strongly preferred.
• Finance experience in operations, including cost accounting, inventory control, and productivity measurement expected.
• Treasury management, tax, and audit experience preferred.
• Experience working with information technology staff to manage/upgrade finance/accounting, ERP and enterprise systems.
• Experience working with commercial banks and shareholders with highly effective communication skills.
• Proven record in developing an operational and effective financial organization.
• Prefer experience integrating new or existing divisions or acquired companies from a financial and systems point of view.
• Collaborative team player and consensus builder with a distinct "hands-on-mentality" to successfully solve operational and strategic challenges.
• Demonstrated competence and experience in implementing and managing rigorous, disciplined financial controls, fiscal management systems, grant management and enterprise performance measures.
• Strong personal leadership qualities; a record of accomplishment in recruiting, motivating, and developing a capable finance team.
• Evident ability to think both strategically and tactically, with a bias for action and results.
• Must possess extensive experience partnering with business and functional leaders, and the TAD / Tribal Council, to drive performance and build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Experienced in identifying and developing appropriate accounting procedures and best practices for overall improvement to the tribe's financial health.
• Required to pass a pre-employment background check.
• Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving Permit.
• Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Requirements:

• Required to be an experienced and licensed Certified Public Accountant in government accounting.
• Required to have a bachelor's degree in Business or Finance.