Director of Finance- Tompkins County NY

Director of Finance

Tompkins County, New York

Department: Finance

Classification: Exempt

Management Grade: 91

Salary: $137,321 Hire rate and $151,590 Work rate after 9 months

Application deadline: Sept. 6th

Lead with integrity. Steward public resources. Strengthen our community.

Tompkins County is seeking an accomplished and collaborative financial leader to serve as its Director of Finance and Chief Fiscal Officer.

This is an exceptional opportunity to guide the financial operations of a dynamic county government and ensure that public resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and equitably. Reporting to and serving at the pleasure of the Tompkins County Legislature, the Director advises County leaders on fiscal matters and oversees the Finance Department’s Treasury, Purchasing, Accounting, and Payroll functions.

Tompkins County safeguards and enhances lives by providing services driven by the needs of its community. Our work is guided by the values of Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Equity, and Stewardship. The Director of Finance will bring these values to the County’s financial policies, decisions, operations, and workplace culture.

The opportunity

As the County’s Chief Fiscal Officer, the Director of Finance has ultimate responsibility for County fiscal management and exercises the powers and duties associated with a county treasurer, county comptroller, commissioner of finance, and chief purchasing agent.

The Director will maintain the County’s financial records in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, New York State requirements, and accepted governmental accounting standards. The successful candidate will be an ethical, forward-thinking leader who can translate complex financial information into sound advice, foster accountability across departments, and support equitable and effective public service.

Key responsibilities

The Director of Finance will:

• Direct the County’s accounting, treasury, purchasing, and payroll operations.
• Prepare the County’s annual financial reports and coordinate the annual independent audit.
• Provide timely financial statements and strategic fiscal guidance to the County Legislature and County Administrator.
• Monitor departmental and agency fiscal operations through financial reporting and analysis.
• Advise the Legislature on fiscal policy, financial trends, risks, and long-term planning.
• Oversee the enforcement and collection of delinquent property taxes and the annual sale of properties acquired through tax foreclosure.
• Build productive working relationships with elected officials, department leaders, employees, auditors, financial institutions, governmental partners, and community stakeholders.

The ideal candidate

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Thorough knowledge of governmental accounting, public fiscal administration, internal auditing, and financial management.
• Strong leadership and supervisory ability.
• Knowledge of public purchasing practices, New York State finance law, and bond markets.
• The ability to analyze complex financial information, identify trends, assess risk, and communicate clear recommendations.
• An inclusive and collaborative leadership style that supports employee development and belonging.

Minimum qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following:

Option A: A master’s degree from a regionally accredited or New York State-registered college or university in Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field that included or was supplemented by at least 12 accounting credits, or possession of CPA certification; and five years of full-time—or equivalent part-time or volunteer—supervisory experience preparing and maintaining governmental financial accounts and records. The experience must include preparing financial statements and performing other accounting activities.

Option B: A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or New York State-registered college or university in Accounting, Public Administration, Business, or a related field that included or was supplemented by at least 12 accounting credits; and seven years of full-time—or equivalent part-time or volunteer—supervisory experience preparing and maintaining governmental financial accounts and records. The experience must include preparing financial statements and performing other accounting activities.

Option C: A combination of training and experience equal to or greater than the requirements described above.

Candidates qualifying with a degree in a related field must have at least 12 accounting credits. Experience or other education cannot be substituted for those credits. Applicants should highlight the qualifying accounting courses on their transcript and attach a transcript copy to the online application.

The required five or seven years of supervisory governmental financial experience, including financial-statement preparation, cannot be replaced by education or other training. Applicants should clearly document this experience in the work-history section of the application.

Special requirement

This position is considered a public office. In accordance with Article 3 of the New York State Public Officers Law, the successful candidate must be a United States citizen and must become a resident of Tompkins County.

Our commitment to equity and inclusion

Tompkins County Government centers diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to empowering employees and residents to dismantle systemic barriers that inhibit inclusive governance and the delivery of government services to all.

We welcome applicants whose professional experiences, perspectives, and leadership will contribute to a workplace and community rooted in trust, belonging, accountability, and opportunity for all.

Apply

Please review the complete job description and submit your online application along with your required supporting materials by Sept. 6th Personnel | www.tompkinscountyny.gov

For questions about the position or application process, contact Larry Workman at Lworkman@Tompkins-co.org or 607-274-5520.