FINANCE DIRECTOR

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Leadership and Administration

• Provide strategic financial leadership and guidance to the tribal Council and Tribal Administrator to support organizational goals and long-term financial sustainability.
• Direct and oversee the daily financial operations of the tribal government and assigned tribal enterprises.
• Develop, implement, and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls that safeguard Tribal assets and promote fiscal accountability.
• Monitor cash flow, banking relationships, investments, and financial performance to ensure the tribe's financial stability.

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Direct all governmental accounting activities in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, tribal policies, and applicable laws.
• Review and approve financial transactions, journal entries, reconciliations, and accounting records.
• Ensure the accuracy of bookkeeping entries, expenditures, purchases, payments, account balances, and financial documentation.
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports for tribal leadership and regulatory agencies.
• Conduct ongoing analysis of financial performance and recommend corrective actions when necessary.

Budget Administration

• Direct the development and administration of the tribe's annual operating and capital budgets.
• Collaborate with department directors to develop budget proposals and monitor expenditures throughout the fiscal year.
• Conduct budget-to-actual analyses and recommend budget amendments as needed.
• Provide technical assistance to departments regarding budget preparation, procurement, travel requests, and other financial matters.

Grants and Contract Management

• Oversee the financial administration of 50 + tribal grants and contracts from application through closeout.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, tribal, and funding agency requirements.
• Prepare and submit financial reports required by granting agencies within established deadlines.
• Monitor grant expenditures and contract budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance.
• Assist departments in budget development and financial reporting for grant-funded programs.

Procurement and Financial Controls

• Review and approve purchase orders, payment requests, and financial transactions in accordance with tribal procurement policies.
• Approve and monitor high-value financial transactions, including electronic fund transfers, bank wire transfers, and vendor payments.

Audit and Compliance

• Coordinate annual financial audits and provide requested documentation to independent auditors.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans to address audit findings and recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with tribal financial policies, federal regulations, grant requirements, and other applicable laws.
• Maintain effective internal controls designed to safeguard tribal assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.

Payroll and Benefits Administration

• Oversee payroll operations to ensure compliance with federal and tribal payroll regulations.
• Ensure payroll records are accurate and maintained in accordance with applicable laws.
• Monitor payroll processes and employee benefits administration for compliance and accuracy.

Supervision and Leadership

• Direct, supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate Finance Department personnel.
• Establish departmental goals, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Promote continuous professional development and operational excellence within the Finance Department.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration with tribal departments and external agencies.

Additional Responsibilities

• Oversee the annual tribal profit-sharing process, ensuring required documentation is received, eligibility is verified, and individual invoices are prepared for qualifying Tribal members.
• Conduct daily reviews of cash balances and banking activity to identify significant variances and ensure adequate liquidity.
• Attend tribal Council work sessions, administrative meetings, finance meetings, and meetings with federal, state, and local agencies as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITIES

• Extensive knowledge of governmental accounting principles, financial reporting, budgeting, and fiscal management.
• Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards.
• Knowledge of Tribal financial administration, procurement, payroll, grants management, and federal funding requirements.
• Knowledge of applicable federal regulations, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), when administering federal awards.
• Strong knowledge of financial management systems, automated accounting software, and Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel.
• Ability to analyze complex financial information and prepare comprehensive financial reports.
• Ability to develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of professional and administrative staff.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Tribal leadership, employees, Tribal members, auditors, funding agencies, and the public.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess exceptional leadership, communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated experience in cash flow management, strategic financial planning, and fiscal oversight.
• Must be detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Must successfully passe and maintain a DPS/FBI fingerprint background investigation.
• Must not have two (2) or more misdemeanor convictions or any felony conviction in accordance with Tribal employment requirements.
• Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field is required.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM),
• Minimum of five (7) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting, finance, or fiscal management.
• Minimum of five (7) years of supervisory or executive-level management experience.
• Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, payroll, grants, procurement, and audit coordination.
• Experience working with Tribal governments or other governmental entities is preferred.

Under the general direction of the Tribal Council and Tribal Administrator, the Finance Director plans, organizes, directs, and oversees the financial operations of the Cocopah Tribal Government and its enterprises, excluding the Casino & Resort, and Wild River. The Finance Director is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the Tribe's financial management systems through effective oversight of accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, grants and contract administration, procurement, internal controls, and audit coordination.