Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

POSITION SUMMARY

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) is seeking a highly qualified and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the Agency’s financial operations and serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team. The CFO is responsible for ensuring the fiscal integrity, transparency, and long-term financial sustainability of the Agency while maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

The CFO plans, organizes, and directs all functions of the Finance Department, including governmental accounting, budgeting, payroll, grants accounting, procurement oversight, and financial planning. This role provides strategic financial guidance to executive leadership and the Board of Commissioners and supports data driven decision making across the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(These duties are representative and not all-inclusive.)

• Plans, organizes, directs, and controls all financial and accounting operations of the Agency.

• Provides financial analysis, reports, and recommendations to the CEO, executive leadership, and the Board of Commissioners.

• Oversees all Finance Division functions, including:

      o Financial accounting and reporting

      o Payroll administration

      o Grants accounting and compliance

      o Accounts payable and receivable

      o Cash management

      o Capital asset accounting 

• Develops, analyzes, implements, and maintains financial policies, procedures, internal controls, and fiscal safeguards.

• Ensures accounting processes are conducted in accordance with:

      o Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

      o Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards

      o Louisiana State Auditor requirements, including Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System (BARS) standards

• Oversees financial components of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding programs, including formula and discretionary grants, and ensures compliance with federal grant requirements, reporting, audits, and financial controls.

• Leads long-range financial planning, forecasting, and sustainability initiatives to support service delivery, capital programs, and organizational growth.

• Oversees procurement and contract administration activities to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

• Directs and administers financial policies related to employee pension, retirement, deferred compensation, and benefit plans in coordination with Human Resources and external vendors.

• Coordinates and supports external audits, regulatory reviews, and funding agency oversight; ensures timely resolution of audit findings.

• Supervises, mentors, trains, and evaluates Finance Department staff; fosters a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Governmental accounting and financial reporting

• GAAP and GASB standards

• Louisiana State Auditor requirements, including BARS

• Federal and state laws, rules, and regulations related to public transportation

• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding and compliance requirements

• National Transit Database (NTD) Uniform System of Accounts (USOA)

• Governmental budgeting principles and practices

• Risk management principles and internal controls

• Contract development and administration, including union contracts and labor agreements

• Deferred compensation, retirement, and pension plan regulations

Skilled in:

• Strategic financial analysis and fiscal planning

• Budget development and financial oversight

• Interpreting and presenting complex financial data

• Supervising and developing professional staff

Ability to:

• Lead a complex governmental finance operation

• Communicate effectively with executive leadership, Board members, auditors, and funding agencies

• Exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality

• Work effectively in a unionized public-sector environment

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in finance or accounting, including at least seven (7) years in government, transportation, or a related public-sector environment.

• Five (5) years of supervisory or management-level experience in finance or accounting.

• Demonstrated experience in financial statement preparation and budget development.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position may be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

• Active membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

• Experience with enterprise financial and workforce systems, including but not limited to:

      o Munis Enterprise

      o Sage MAS 500 or comparable accounting systems

      o OpenGov or similar procurement platforms

      o Netchex payroll and human resources software platform or similar