THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Located along the scenic coast of Southern California in an unincorporated Orange County area of North Laguna Beach, the Emerald Bay Community Association (EBCA) governs this private, gated community of 537 homes on 150 acres through an elected seven-member Board. The Community Association provides a range of municipal services, including architectural control, security, facilities and landscape maintenance, roads and beach services, administration, tennis facilities, and youth and adult recreation programs. Several member committees assist the Board and Community Manager reach their policy and operating goals, respectively.

The Community Association, founded in 1929, is one of the earliest examples of private government in California. The Association’s board-staff relationship follows the policy governance model as utilized and recommended by the California Association of Community Managers.

EBCA employs thirty-two full-time staff and eight part-time staff and has an annual operating budget of $6.1 million. The facilities and common area reserve budget is currently around $1 million annually, not including major renovations that are undertaken such as the recent reconstruction of the Main Gate entry and Community Park. The Association’s facilities include a half-mile wide beach, six tennis courts, aquatics facility, community restrooms, beach and park volleyball courts, basketball court, community center and office, volunteer fire station, and parks.

Water and sewer services are provided by a California community services district with the same boundaries as EBCA, called the Emerald Bay Service District (EBSD), which is separately managed and governed by an elected five-member Board. Police services are provided by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and fire and emergency services by the Orange County Fire Authority from the community-owned volunteer station, under EBSD’s fire service powers.

THE POSITION

Under direction from the Community Manager of Emerald Bay Community Association (EBCA), the Director of Finance serves as the Chief Financial Officer; and performs other related work as assigned.

Organizational Relationship

The EBCA Director of Finance is an exempt executive management position reporting directly to the Community Manager and currently supervising the work of one employee, the Association’s Bookkeeper. The Director of Finance works closely with the volunteer Board Treasurer, along with another Board Member and two Members-at-Large who make up the Finance Committee.

The Community Manager’s other direct reports consist of the EBCA Directors of Architecture and Compliance, Security, Maintenance, and Office and Member Services. The Community Manager reports to the EBCA Board of Directors.

Major Job Functions

Emerald Bay Community Association is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Finance to join our team and oversee all financial aspects of our homeowner association. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in finance, accounting, and management, with a proven track record of success in similar roles.

Plans, directs, and supervisesactivities of the Emerald Bay Community Association Finance Department, including all-of the following:

• Manages and maintains financial records overseeing daily financial operations, including accounts receivable and payable, payroll, and general ledger activities. reviews cash reconciliations and journal entries monthly.
• Prepares accurate and timely financial reports, including income statements and balance sheets, for management and board review. Monitors budget variances and provides explanations and recommendations as necessary.
• Manages cash flow and liquidity to support operational needs.
• Develops and maintains financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance.
• Provides financial leadership in development of annual budgets, working in coordination with the Community Manager, Department Heads, and Finance Committee
• Manages the Association’s fixed assets.
• Coordinates annual audits and tax filings with external auditor .
• Prepares and calculates the Association’s annual assessment report to determine Member’s assessment dues according to a five-tier ranking system.
• Manages and suggests updates to the Association’s software system (SAGE) for financial tracking and reporting to achieve timely and on-line access to current financial status.
• Coordinates updates to the Association’s Reserve Study in conjunction with the Association’s external Reserve Analyst
• Manages the Association’s investment portfolio within Board policy, in conjunction with the Board Treasurer and the Association’s external financial advisor.
• Manages the Association’s insurance program in collaboration with the external insurance broker and Finance Committee.
• Prepares Association contracts for vendor services, in conjunction with legal counsel.
• Acts as the Recording Secretary and maintains the Board Minutes for the Association Board Meetings
• Provides support to the Director of Office & Member Services for payroll, 401k, and salary scale administration.

Representative Duties Include:

• Serves as staff liaison to the Emerald Bay Finance Committee; works in collaboration to propose changes to the financial policies and procedures, when necessary
• Provides guidance and information to Association members on financial records, procedures and policies
• As part of the management team, collaborates with the other four department heads in accomplishing the overall mission of the Emerald Bay Community Association
• Represents the Finance Committee at meetings of the Board of Directors
• Consults and coordinates with the Association’s general counsel on legal issues involving contracts and financial related issues

THE CANDIDATE

Required Education, Certifications and Experience

The position requires a combination of education and experience.

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field with seven or more years of increasingly responsible professional experience
• Strong knowledge of fiscal management principles and practices
• Experience with managing other employees for a minimum of five years
• Experience with preparation of budgets
• Experiences in investment management and treasury functions
• Ability to translate financial concepts and collaborate with those who do not necessarily have financial backgrounds
• An aptitude for technology. capable with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat and accounting software
• Valid California driver’s license and acceptable motor vehicle report required

Preferred Skills

• Sage and Quickbooks experience
• Experience working in a similar organization, e.g. community association, property management, non-profit, or other local public agency
• CPA, CFA, or CFP certification
• Experience with investments
• Experience with payroll and 401k administration
• Knowledge of contract administration and insurance certificates of liability

Management Style and Personal Traits – The Ideal EBCA Director of Finance

The vacancy is being created due to the planned retirement of the current EBCA Director of Finance. The relationship between the Emerald Bay Community Manager and Finance Director can best be described as a partnership, where the Community Manager and the management team desire to retain that type of working relationship. The Community Manager encourages alternative problem-solving approaches and is seeking a person who is forward-thinking and proactive. Ideally this will be a person who:

• Has strong communication skills working with team members, consultants, and residents/citizens
• Shows strong team leadership, building relationships with colleagues, consultants, and volunteers
• Exhibits effective analytical problem solving and negotiation skills to meet multiple priorities
• Has an inclusive and participatory while providing clear direction to staff
• Can quickly obtain the trust and respect of the Board, Association members, staff, and other groups, and can build effective working relationships
• Brings a track record of achieving goals and has a “can do”, positive attitude
• Is confident, keeps their ego under control, and has a sense of humor
• Believes in technology and uses it

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $127,412. Placement within the established range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience. In addition, excellent benefits are provided including:

• Group medical, dental, vision, and group term life insurance for self where the Association pays 100% of premium
• Paid vacation and sick leave start accruing on the first day of employment; eligible to join the Association’s 401(k) retirement program after one year. Association contribution varies, and is currently 3.5% of salary with no employee contribution required
• There are 10 paid holidays annually and an additional floating holiday after 2 years
• Workers Compensation coverage
• Reasonable paid professional meeting attendance and training

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this outstanding career opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter electronically to:

The Emerald Bay Community Association at office@ebca.net, Attention: Community Manager.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $127,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 7 years

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person