Director of Fiscal Affairs

GENERAL PURPOSE
The Director of Fiscal Affairs position is administrative management work directing all aspects of the Northampton County fiscal management program. This position develops and implements, through lower level supervisory, accounting, and other staff, programs and systems to ensure effective budgeting, accounting, assessment, payroll, revenue collection, disbursements, IT, data processing, and procurement planning, direction and control for all County agencies. Work includes developing operating policies and procedures and advising higher level management of issues and matters impacting the Northampton County fiscal management system. This class is differentiated from related classes by the level of responsibility and the assignment in the fiscal management field.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports directly to the County Executive.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position is responsible for supervision of all employees in the Department of Fiscal Affairs.  
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION
Develops, recommends, and implements the Northampton County budget, accounting, assessment, payroll, revenue collection, disbursement, IT, data processing, and procurement policies consistent with established fiscal standards, enabling legislation and other local statutory and regulatory requirements, as well as any applicable Federal, State, or other legislative and executive mandates.

Identifies personnel requirements, employees, and independent contractors. Engages in hiring, promotion, and disciplinary decisions, and oversees and participates in ongoing staff evaluation process.

Determines long and short-range County fiscal needs and prepares annual and Capital Improvement financial plans in response, including consideration of revenue enhancements. Identifies and develops plans to effect same. Confers with internal supervisory and staff members for specific objectives, requirements, and procedures.

Leads consideration of design and implementation of tax-exempt bonds or other public and/or private financing as a source for funding for County fiscal needs.

Evaluates need for, timing, design, and impact of potential re-assessment. Develops procedures and implements plan if decision is made to proceed.

Reviews proposed and actual resolutions, ordinances, regulations, and laws from a variety of sources, determining impact on financial management concerns and needs for further attention. Confers with management officials on such issues and provides advice and assistance. Recommends actions, policies, and procedures affecting such issues and/or other matters discussed.

Attends and participates in administrative, legislative, and other decision-making sessions, providing information and recommendations on fiscal topics under consideration.

Advises County Administration, elected officials, department heads, and other managers throughout the County on the impact of and resolution to budget, accounting, and other financial management issues and/or problems. Strategizes with County Administration on how to implement Administration objectives in the budget.

Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of supervisory positions engaged in carrying out budget, accounting, assessment, payroll, revenue collection, disbursement, IT, data processing, procurement, financial analysis, and reporting work. Confers with and advised supervisors on general or problematic issues, including plans and progress with standing and specific assignments. Provides advice and assistance with technical and administrative problems. Reviews work programs, plans, technical reports, and other information. Determines additions, deletions, or changes needed to products and recommends approval and/or installation of same. Develops departmental work programs for submission to other management levels. Oversees administration and accomplishment of contracted data processing work.

Reviews budgets at various stages of developmental process, accounting systems, and financial management reports and analyses for technical and administrative sufficiency. Works with department management personnel to ensure complete submissions and sufficient justification, recommending adoption of same, including working with Administration and approving body.

Presents proposed budgets to County Administration and County Council. Monitors budget performance during fiscal year and prepares reports as requested by County Administration and/or County Council. Prepares and presents budget amendments as needed.

Interacts with County external auditor(s) regarding year-end audits, preparation of financial statements, and ongoing matters. Cooperates with the County Controller in connection with any audit or non-audit services performed.

Ensures department follows County policies and procedures.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major, or extensive course work, in Accounting, Business, Public Administration, or a related field; AND

Extensive experience in private or public finance and administration, management substantial fiscal operations and budgets, and which has included no less than three (3) years in a supervisory capacity; OR

Equivalent combination of education and experience as determined by the County Executive.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES  
Extensive knowledge of goals, objectives, principles, and practices commonly employment in the development and maintenance of a private or governmental fiscal management program.

Extensive knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and methods used in budget development and administration, accounting functions, and investments.

Thorough knowledge of function, organization, and operation of a complex financial organization.

Knowledge of the principles and practices commonly employed in the planning, direction, and control of an organization-wide fiscal management program.

Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Ability to plan, assign, and review the work of accounting, technical, and clerical personnel engaged in carrying out assigned budget, accounting, and other department related functions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County departmental management officials, elected officials, Federal and State governmental officials, external auditors, and others involved in the budget and/or accounting process.

Ability to express ideas and communicate County fiscal policy privately and publicly, both verbally and in writing.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Telephone or cell phone, personal computer (including word processing and spreadsheet software), calculator, fax machine, and copy machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk, and hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

The physical demands described here are representative of those which must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

SELECTION GUIDELINES
This position is appointed by the County Executive.
 

FLSA STATUS:    FLSA EXEMPT (NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)
DESIGNATION:    EXEMPT SERVICE
PAY GRADE:        CE/GRVI
UNION STATUS:  NON-UNION

Updated March 2026