Finance Director

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Finance Director performs complex executive work planning, organizing, and directing the financial activities of the Town, and related work as required. This position serves as the chief financial officer and administrative head of accounting for the Town of Waxhaw, directing all fiscal affairs, accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls. This position acts as the statutory Finance Officer under the North Carolina Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act (NCGS Chapter 159).

In addition to executive financial planning, this role carries direct controller-level operational responsibility for general ledger integrity, financial statement preparation, pre-auditing, system reconciliations, and strict compliance with GASB, GAAP, and Local Government Commission (LGC) rules.

• Pre-Audit & Disbursements: Pre-audit all contracts, purchase orders, and obligations to certify that budget appropriations exist and disburse public funds in strict compliance with NC General Statutes and local budget ordinances.
• Treasury & Cash Management: Maintain custody of all local government funds; oversee daily deposits, bank reconciliations, and investment of idle funds within state-authorized limits.
• Debt Administration: Track and service general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and installment financing; coordinate debt filings and approvals directly with the North Carolina Local Government Commission (LGC).

• General Ledger & Month-End Close: Maintain and safeguard the general ledger structure across all funds (General, Enterprise, Capital Project, Internal Service); manage month-end and fiscal year-end financial closes.
• Internal Controls & Audit Readiness: Design, implement, and monitor internal control systems across all departments to prevent fraud, misallocation, or non-compliance; ensure audit-ready financial records year-round.
• Financial Statement Preparation: Draft interim financial statements, balance sheets, and cash flow analysis; coordinate directly with external auditors to prepare working papers for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Transaction Operations: Oversee day-to-day operations and balance verification for Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Purchasing, and Payroll.

• Collaborate with the Town Manager on multi-year financial forecasting, Capital Improvement Project (CIP) financing, and operating budget assembly.
• Monitor departmental spending, revenue streams, and budget-to-actual variances; prepares formal budget amendments and fund balance projections as needed.
• Advise management and the governing board on fiscal health, fund balance policy compliance, and revenue trends.

• Ensure compliance with North Carolina public purchasing laws (G.S. 143-129 / G.S. 159) and Uniform Guidance for federal/state grant awards.
• Perform post-award grant accounting, drawdown tracking, and single-audit schedules for grant-funded projects.

Comprehensive knowledge of general laws and administrative policies governing financial practices and procedures; comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting and budgeting in government. Must have thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of a local government purchasing system; the practices, methods and laws relating to local government bond financing; ability to evaluate complex financial systems and efficiently formulate and install accounting methods, procedures, forms and records;

ability to prepare informative financial reports and develop long range financial plans; ability to plan, organize direct and evaluate the work of subordinate employees; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town officials, associates and the general public.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or Business Administration with heavy coursework in…