Finance Director

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive
DEPARTMENT: Finance
HOURS: Full-time
SALARY RANGE: $124,278- $194,184 /year (Grade 113)
LOCATION: Hastings ADC
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 2/26/2025

Dakota County Finance provides fiscal stewardship and accountability of all public funds and includes the following functions: financial reporting, budget, treasury (cash flow, investment and debt), payroll, grants management, procurement, contracts, collections, accounts payable, accounts receivable and internal review processes.

The Finance Director leads the department charged with promoting and sustaining a strong fiscal position for Dakota County government through the establishment and maintenance of sound financial policies and controls, reasoned fiscal analysis, cash flow modeling, oversight of investments, and effective and efficient accounting practices which provide needed fiscal controls and meet the needs of the customers.

The Finance Director participates as part of the leadership team in the Enterprise Finance and Information Services Division and reports to the Deputy County Manager. The Finance Director is also a member of the county's management team as an advisor to the County Manager, Deputy County Manager, the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Commissioners.

The person in this position will be an honest, ethical manager who ensures the development of relevant financial information required by the County Manager and the Board of Commissioners to make sound decisions and effectively meets auditing requirements in accounting for the use of public funds. The Director is responsible for the overall direction of the department and will provide leadership and support to staff in developing, planning, and administering the county's financial operations. The Director will continuously evaluate the performance of county government against financial goals and standards and identify ways to improve performance.

To view additional information for the Finance Director, please click here

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration/management, economics, or public administration/policy (with an emphasis on financial analysis or budgeting); or a closely related field; AND

• Seven years of progressively responsible management experience in the financial field.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience to total at least 11 years.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Master's degree in above fields

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Provide leadership in establishing and achieving Dakota County's vision for financial services and analysis.
2. Create and support effective working relationships within and between divisions, departments, and external agencies.
3. Organize, manage, and direct the activities of professional and administrative staff in Finance to include assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance, setting priorities, and hiring, including disciplinary actions.
4. Lead the county-wide financial accounting operations including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, billing, collections and disbursements, audit, general ledger, account reconciliations, investments, and employee expense reimbursement.
5. Direct the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the Single Audit, internal control narratives and financial statements and ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
6. Identify and respond to customer needs and requirements.
7. Coordinate the development of the county's annual budget.
8. Coordinate with other departments to meet capital and operational cash flow needs.
9. Supervise the investment of county funds and management of cash in accordance with Minnesota Statutes and county policies.
10. Represent Dakota County on special committees and before other governmental bodies or business organizations. For example, the MICA Fiscal Officers.
11. Establish and coordinate the Investment Committee to oversee investments activities.
12. Prepare and administer department budget to ensure fiscal responsibility and control.
13. Ensure that user departments receive timely and consistent financial systems support and training.
14. Develop and manage annual work plan for the Finance Department to include identification of expected outcomes and outcome measurements.
15. Develop evaluation tools/metrics for county and department objectives.
16. Direct and coordinate the development and maintenance of a central system of accounts for all county departments.
17. Conduct annual program service review.

• Strong understanding of and experience with the core business responsibilities of the department: operating and capital budgeting, cash flow forecast and management, accounts receivable and payable, cash and investment management, debt issuance and management, purchasing and contracting, financial reporting and audit.
• Consistent leadership and support, and effective communication with staff representing a broad range of job duties and classifications and varying educational and professional backgrounds.
• Familiarity with Minnesota public finance structure and institutions, and the key intergovernmental relationships that are important to the county's financial management.
• Ability to evaluate and translate complex financial and policy issues and alternatives understandably and accurately to elected officials, county staff, and citizens.
• An appreciation of the value of strong internal financial controls and understanding of how to support good practices county-wide.
• Demonstrated ability to apply accepted accounting practices to establish accounting procedures and review compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to upgrade and improve financial policies, processes, and procedures, and to design and apply performance measurement and improvement initiatives to financial business processes across the county.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills with the confidence and ability to make, communicate, and execute decisions quickly and effectively.
• Strong, demonstrated track record of bringing about positive change in an organization through leadership, ensuring prompt action to address emerging issues, and accounting for the use of funds.
• Strong, demonstrated track record of effectively modeling cash flow and managing investments with the principles of safety, liquidity, and return, and of predicting the need for financing, issuing debt, and managing payments.
• Comprehensive knowledge of principles, techniques, and laws related to finance and accounting.
• Interpersonal skill to build strong working relationships internally throughout the organization and externally, and to work effectively with business partners to complete shared responsibilities. Strong commitment to customer service to meet the expectations of the various department and division customers.
• Strong analytical skills, with the capability to analyze statistical, numerical, and financial data, apply tools for evaluating investment opportunities, and effectively convey to decision-makers the findings of the analysis.
• Excellent leadership skills, leading for vision and purpose and demonstrating strategic agility and a record of excellence in recruiting, selecting, motivating and developing staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) and the ability to establish credibility with senior executives and elected officials.

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution