Controller

Description

ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Chief Financial Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

This position oversees all financial processing, accounting, financial reporting, and budget functions for TRA, including the general ledger, financial statements, capital assets, accounts payable, grants and construction accounting, billing, accounts payable, and payroll. The role supervises the accounting, financial services, and budget teams, ensuring accurate and timely work. This role ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial information, supports strategic decision-making, and maintains strong financial governance.  The position also leads financial reporting and audit coordination, tracks departmental goals and performance metrics, and supports the Chief Financial Officer in achieving departmental objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  Act as the primary liaison for external auditors, manage audit requests, and continuously strengthen internal controls to mitigate risk.

2.  Ensure accuracy and compliance with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements, including those of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.

3.  Responsible for the establishment of financial policies and internal controls to comply with all legal and regulatory financial requirements and Board policies. Facilitates the establishment and maintenance of appropriate financial management processes and financial controls for all financial functions.

4.  Oversee financial reporting system implementations, migrations, testing, and automation to maximize operational efficiency.

5.  Manage the preparation of timely and complete quarterly and annual financial statement reports including statistical financial data.

6.  Responsible for the development of a chart of accounts that supports the requirements and functions of TRA. Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reports.

7.  Responsible for appropriate and accurate accounting in general ledger accounts for all financial activities of the TRA including evaluating the impact and implementation of new accounting standards.

8.  Manage the development of the annual budget to include coordination across TRA and within the department between the budget and the capital project functions. Analyze variances and provide actionable insights to leadership.  Responsible for monitoring the budget monthly. 

9.  Responsible for the calculation of budgeted and actual contract revenue requirements for both operations and maintenance and debt service for all TRA systems. Responsible for monitoring the budget and actual contract revenue requirements monthly and providing analysis of the variance and recommendations to the Chief Financial Officer.

10.  Provide and complete financial analysis to include compiling data, researching information, forecasting projections and making recommendations to senior and executive management.

11.  Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.

12.  Supervise and develop accounting and financial staff.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Regularly has full personnel management responsibilities including approving time, selection, discipline, grievances, and formal performance evaluations for a position’s direct and indirect reports.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Manage assets of $2.2 Billion, Expenses of $182 Million, Revenue of $186 Million, and Total Liabilities of $1.7 Billion.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required.

EXPERIENCE
Five plus years of progressively responsible experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Valid Texas driver's license. Certification as a Public Accountant is required.

KNOWLEDGE
This position requires minimum physical exertion with daily lifting requirements generally under 20 pounds. Activities may include carrying office materials, pulling and pushing file drawers, and organizing paperwork.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
None

GUIDANCE RECEIVED
Guided by Department Goals and Priorities. Makes decisions that are guided by overall Departmental goals, priorities, and policies. The job requires interpreting goals and priorities into action steps and delegating responsibility for completion; has broad latitude in regard to methods and approaches but must obtain approval for actions that have a policy, service, or cost implications.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Duties are almost always carried out in an office environment with occasional fieldwork required.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Office equipment, including personal computers, various printers, host computer systems, and calculators.

The Trinity River flows across Texas for hundreds of miles. Providing drinking water to more than 50% of the state's population, the Trinity River is one of the most important waterways in the country. The Trinity River Authority of Texas (TRA) is proud to play an important role in preserving and developing this vital resource for Texans and the generations of Texans to come.

Established by the state Legislature in 1955, TRA provides water and wastewater treatment and recreation and reservoir facilities throughout the Trinity River Basin and maintains a master plan for basin-wide development. TRA also serves as a conduit for tax-exempt financing for municipal projects and as a local sponsor for federal water projects.

TRA is constantly working to improve water quality and remains at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies and innovations. An exciting and dynamic organization, TRA is poised for success for years to come.

TRA offers a competitive starting salary range, along with a comprehensive benefits package including insurance programs, savings programs, paid time off and holidays. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. TRA is an equal opportunity employer.