The Finance Director serves as County Auditor and Internal Auditor as allowed under Wisconsin State Statutes 59.23 and 59.47 and County Board Resolution 80-54, with the duties as outlined in the statutes and from time to time outlined by the County Board or its committees. This position also serves as the Insurance Coordinator and Risk Analyst and as a staff advisor to the Administrative Coordinator, County Board, and all departments on financial matters for the county.

The Finance Director is responsible for the overall administrative oversight, leadership, planning, coordinating and management of the Finance Department for Rusk County. This key administrative position also manages and directs the operations of the Finance Department including, staffing, financial forecasting, budget balancing, development and monitoring, centralized financial accounting and reporting, administration of the County’s debt program, administering a county-wide financial system, and analyzing and supervising all aspects of county finances including payroll, cash received, accounts payable, fixed asset reporting and grant administration.

• Prepare and monitor the county-wide budget.
  1. Work with department administrators in order to establish and check accuracy of preliminary budget.
  2. Prepare budget document and coordinate all non-departmental line items for Finance Committee.
  3. Monitor Finance Department budgets monthly and regularly report budget status to the Finance Committee.
  4. Prepare documents for public hearing and media.
  5. Offer moneysaving or revenue increasing suggestions.
  6. Monitor and record changes to the budget to meet State requirements and regulations.
• Prepare the following reports in order to monitor performance and comply with State requirements and regulations:
  1. Prepare Annual Financial Report to the State of Wisconsin.
  2. Organize information relating to delinquent and current tax collections and status of County’s general fund, contingency fund, and others for Finance Committee.
  3. Monitor department State grant reports to be sure all costs have been claimed correctly, and report to Finance Committee.
• Perform the following in order to assist departments and the County Board:
  1. In regard to cash management, work with Treasurer to monitor deposits, balances, checking, savings, and investment accounts, and prepare reports.
  2. In regard to accounts receivable, monitor all departments for recovery and report to Finance Committee.
• Examine monthly operation of all departments, all receipts and vouchers, payroll records, checks and endorsements, in order to perform internal audit functions and establish and maintain controls.
• Monitor department records, provide accounting assistance to department bookkeepers, and establish accounting systems to comply with State and Federal requirements.
• Make adjusting and correcting entries to County records and prepare necessary financial statements in order to close County books at the end of the year and open new books.
• Perform the following in order to prepare for County’s independent financial audit:
  1. Maintain all books and records necessary for audit.
  2. Prepare schedules and supporting information as needed.
  3. Assist external auditors on location as needed.
  4. Prepare Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A).
  5. Review Auditor-Prepared Financial Statements for accuracy and complete Financial Statement Disclosure Checklist
• Perform the following in order to prepare for County’s single audit for State and Federal grants:
  1. Act as liaison between State agencies and independent auditor.
  2. Maintain all books, records and grant files.
  3. Work with departments and with related State agencies in response to findings.
  4. Prepare Schedule of State and Federal Financial Assistance.
• Act as County Insurance Coordinator under the Property/Insurance Committee. Examine polices and billings, prepare audits, determine gaps and exposures, determine adequacy of all coverage, recommend policy changes, record all claims, and prepare renewals of polices. Act as insurance liaison with insurance companies and agents. Prepare Workers Compensation audit.
• Monitor use of County car fleet and copy machines, making recommendations to the Property Committee concerning purchases and dispositions or transfers.
• Maintain Financial Procedures Manual.
• Supervise Accounts Payable functions and serve as backup Accounts Payable, if needed.
• Supervise payroll functions and serve as backup payroll coordinator if needed.
• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Finance Department.
  1. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations polices and applicable laws.
  2. Responsible for interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and discipling employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting or knowledge normally acquired in four years post-high school training including successful completion of college level course in advanced accounting, auditing procedures and practices, cost accounting, GAAP as applied to municipalities, internal control procedures, and fund accounting.
2. Practical knowledge of the above procedures normally acquired in five to seven years pre-hire experience.
3. Knowledge and experience using computer accounting, spreadsheet, and word processing programs.
4. Very high level of communication skills in order to discipline and appraise the work of others, prepare and present proposals, promotional materials and education programs, negotiate contractual relations for Rusk County, analyze legal documents, and interpret policies in situations requiring judgement and persuasion.
5. Ability to maintain current knowledge of and to innovatively apply the highest levels of specialized knowledge in order to solve financial problems.
6. Ability to establish goals, plans, and policies for own area of responsibility and to exercise broad latitude for decision making that affects County finances.
7. Ability to utilize a variety of advisory and design data and information such as financial statements, computer software, operating manuals, account summaries and entries, department financial reports, employment and benefit reports, audit reports and summaries, State Uniform Chart of Accounts and other government reporting manuals, County accounting manuals, cost reports, governmental audit standards, grant requirement manuals, employment and retirement fund manuals, cost manuals, and accounting methods.
8. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
9. Punctual, predictable, and regular attendance.
10. Ability to work in periodic stressful conditions and meet numerous deadlines. Ability to set work priorities and adapt to change in technology and work environment.
11. May require a records check, background check, or credit check.

Physical Requirements
This job entails minimal physical demands, typically found in an office environment, with very limited exposure to workplace hazards. Some lifting, moving, bending, and twisting.

Work Environment
Usual office working conditions – comfortable work environment.

EOE / ADA Statement
Rusk County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rusk County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Selection Guidelines
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

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.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.