Government Finance Specialist

Title: Government Finance Specialist

Salary Range: $40-52/hour (approx. 30 hours/week)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Part-Time Employee or Independent Contractor

Application Deadline: Rolling; open until filled

Expected Start Date: Immediately

SUMMARY

 Are you passionate about government finance and local government? Join our growing team and play a crucial role in supporting and enhancing municipal government as the Government Finance Specialist!

The New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization, is looking for a highly motivated, experienced individual with a passion for government finance, public policy, and local government to fill the position of Government Finance Specialist. This is a part-time (approx. 30 hours per week) position, but an independent contractor arrangement would be considered for the right candidate.

The Government Finance Specialist is a professional position that provides advice, guidance, and education to local officials (elected, appointed, and staff) to assist them with the discharge of their official duties in the areas of budget, finance, and taxation. This position will provide general municipal finance assistance including responding to member inquiries, drafting and reviewing guidance documents and policy templates, developing and delivering municipal finance educational courses, and producing written content for NHMA publications, including State Aid to Municipalities, The Basic Law of Budgeting, and The Basics of Financial Policy. 

This position will also work collaboratively and cooperatively with the NHMA’s Advocacy Team and Legal Services Team to provide opinions on legislation and guidance on member questions involving budget, finance, and taxation. 

The position reports to the Executive Director.

Learn more about NHMA and the services we provide at https://www.nhmunicipal.org/. 

NHMA offers an excellent employee benefits package*, including:

• Health and dental insurance (including a no-cost plan with an HRA)
• Defined contribution pension plan (not part of the NH Retirement System)
• Optional employee contribution to 457(B) retirement plan
• Optional Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Annual vacation time, sick time, paid holidays
• Longevity bonuses
• Short- and long-term disability
• A primarily remote work option is available for this position, but some travel to Concord and around the state is required.
• NHMA is an eligible employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

*For part-time positions, employee benefit costs will be prorated. 

Professional Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Governmental accounting and the current principles and practices of public finance, budgeting, and accounting such as GAAP and GASB.
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Special requirements pertaining to accounting for and investment of governmental funds.
• Governmental auditing procedures.
• Relevant federal and state laws, town ordinances, and policies and procedures.

Ability and/or expertise to:

• Read, interpret, and analyze spreadsheets, statistical reports, and financial statements.
• Communicate clearly, effectively, and directly, both orally and in writing.
• Solve problems employing critical, analytical, strategic thinking.
• Speak publicly both virtually and in person.
• Self-motivate and self-direct work.
• Work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Effectively and efficiently manage time and resources.
• Possess a strong desire to optimize efficiency in processes and practices.
• Deliver excellent customer service.
• Embrace NHMA’s mission.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license in good standing.

 Education, Training and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, public administration or comparable area or equivalent experience is required. CPA a plus but not required.
• Eight to ten years of government financial experience required; experience working in NH local government is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with expert level skills in Excel. 

 Selection Process 

Please submit the following to careers@nhmunicipal.org:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Two Professional References

Initial interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Finalists may be required to undergo a second interview with the full NHMA staff. 

The successful candidate will be required to pass professional background investigation and must have a valid driver’s license.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The duties and responsibilities of the Government Finance Specialist include but are not limited to:

1. Develop and implement municipal finance education designed to build basic knowledge as well as advance knowledge to assist local officials (elected, appointed, and staff) with the discharge of their official duties in the areas of budget, finance, and taxation. This includes participating in the planning and presenting of NHMA’s Annual Budget & Finance Conference with NHMA’s Legal Services attorneys, and planning the curriculum for and presenting the Financial Policies Certificate Program.
2. Develop and deliver trainings on a variety of timely and relevant financial management topics including but not limited to cash management, budgeting, payroll management, basic governmental accounting, treasurers’ responsibilities, internal control systems, state and federal auditing requirements and best practices, and any other financial issues.
3. Respond to questions regarding financial matters from officials of member municipalities and log them into tracking database.
4. Develop written guidance, model documents, and templates to assist members with finance related topics.
5. Collaborate with state agencies as appropriate to assist local officials in the areas of finance, taxation, and budgeting.
6. Review and update Basic Financial Policies and other finance-related publications as needed and produce other written guidance, models, and templates as needed. Consult with Legal Services attorneys to determine applicability of New Hampshire law as needed.
7. Write articles regarding finance, accounting, and taxation for NHMA’s Town & City magazine.
8. Participate in external seminars, workshops, and training programs as a speaker, upon request, with the approval of the Executive Director.
9. Communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with other NHMA staff on education, training, publications, and inquiries as needed.
10. Stay apprised of authoritative accounting principles, auditing standards, statutory budget procedures, and case law affecting municipal finance generally and NH local government finance specifically.
11. Review legislation with finance-related impacts to provide guidance and interpretation to NHMA’s Advocacy Team.
12. Develop and maintain relationships with municipal government finance organizations such as the NH Government Finance Officers Association (NHGFOA).
13. Any other duties as assigned by the Executive Director. 

Physical Demands: Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. There is also walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; driving an automobile, etc. The employee must be able to speak clearly and professionally with members and others in a manner that can be easily understood.  No special physical demands are required to perform the work. The position requires regular in-state and occasional out-of-state, overnight travel. The position requires a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle. 

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