Chief Financial Strategist

Job Title: Chief Financial Strategist

The Chief Financial Strategist plays a vital role in the success of our organization by providing leadership and direction for all financial operations. Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, this role manages the Finance Department and Utility Billing Division, overseeing key functions including budgeting, accounting, payroll, treasury, investments, purchasing, financial reporting, and utility billing.

This position ensures the City's fiscal integrity, transparency, and sustainability, aligning financial policies and practices with the City's mission and long-term goals. The ideal candidate should be a collaborative and forward-thinking leader with a proven ability to manage complex municipal financial operations.

• Manage the development and implementation of financial goals, policies, and procedures aligned with the City's mission and long-term strategic plan.
• Provide strategic advice to the City Manager, City Council, and department heads on fiscal issues, budget priorities, and long-range planning.
• Coordinate with other departments to support financial planning and compliance.
• Direct the preparation, implementation, and administration of the City's annual operating and capital budgets.
• Conduct financial forecasting and long-range planning.
• Manage investments and purchasing policies.
• Prepare and present financial information and reports to city leadership, City Council, boards, and public stakeholders in a clear and accessible manner.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws along with governmental accounting standards including GAAP and GASB.
• Oversee the City's financial reporting, including the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and other financial disclosures.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the City's independent auditors and manage the annual audit process.
• Forecast and monitor expenditure and revenue trends and provide timely financial forecasts and performance reports.
• Oversee billing, collections, and tax administration.
• Manage treasury functions including investment of City funds in accordance with the City's investment policy
• Provide strategic oversight and daily direction to finance team members including Accounting, Budget, Purchasing, Payroll, and Utility Billing.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Finance and Utility Billing staff through training, performance management, and career development strategies.
• Ensure the implementation and maintenance of effective internal controls.
• Oversee procurement and purchasing functions to ensure fairness, transparency, and compliance

• Strong knowledge of governmental budgeting, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting practices.
• Familiarity with Texas laws and regulations applicable to municipal finance.
• Proficiency with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and financial software.
• Understanding of fund accounting, grants, and government procurement.
• Understanding tax revenue, bond issuance, and intergovernmental transfers.
• Ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.

The City of Cedar Park is offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package, which includes participation in the Texas Municipal Retirement System. Relocation assistance will be available for the successful out-of-area candidate.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field required, plus seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in government finance or accounting, and at least three (3) years in a leadership or management role. Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Texas or Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) certification is strongly preferred.