Finance Director

Pierce County offers a stable and impactful finance leadership opportunity in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. This onsite role carries a salary range of $97,510 to $111,446 per year and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, flexible spending accounts, and an employee assistance program. The position oversees all financial activities, administers the Finance Department, supervises staff, and advises the County Board and committees on budgeting, financial policies, and long‑term planning.

Purpose of Position

This Finance Director is responsible for maintaining a unified county‑wide accounting system, directing daily financial operations, and serving as the County auditor and agent for Employee Trust Funds. The role ensures orderly presentation and payment of obligations while aligning financial activities with strategic goals and applicable laws.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Responsibilities

• Direct the county accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and annual reports.
• Develop and implement cash management, prepare and reconcile state, federal, payroll, and retirement reports, and approve all expenditures to stay within the budget.
• Prepare and execute the annual county budget in line with state requirements.
• Provide financial guidance to the Finance and Personnel Committee, County Board Supervisors, other elected officials, and department heads.
• Compute and analyze personnel costs for all departments; monitor equipment and supply purchases; review budgets monthly and report concerns to the Finance and Personnel Committee.
• Research appropriations and transfers; advise on budget activities and changes; provide financial data on costs, effectiveness, and impact of programs and resolutions.
• Meet with department heads and committee chairs to discuss budgets prior to review and approval by the Finance and Personnel Committee.
• Calculate tax appropriations and levy limits; assist in developing department budgets with itemized projected costs for personnel, construction, and maintenance; recommend staff levels, materials, and equipment needs.
• Implement and maintain county‑wide financial policies and internal controls; oversee GAAP and GASB interpretation and compliance with standards, laws, and codes.
• Monitor state and federal laws and tax changes related to income tax, payroll, single audits, and tax rate formulas.
• Supervise, evaluate, train, and assign financial staff including payroll, Human Services, Public Health, IT, and Highway; manage hiring, selection, and dismissal decisions.
• Track and maintain wage charts and employee status changes; record hires, retirements, resignations, and terminations; perform confidential pay‑related tasks as needed.
• Act as the County’s agent for Employee Trust Funds; review payroll before submission to banking, coordinate payroll processing with banks, and process payroll in the clerk’s absence; resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Collaborate with the investment advisor and County Treasurer to develop low‑risk investment policies with favorable returns; monitor investments monthly and adjust for cash flow.
• Support standards for maintaining the county’s national credit rating on long‑term debt and bond issues.
• Research and direct the selection and implementation of financial software; coordinate software interfaces.
• Review all original bills, vouchers, and receipts to ensure validity; serve as liaison with the external auditing firm; maintain fixed asset records for insurance and control.
• In the absence of the Insurance/Risk Manager, assume related duties; review employee benefit plans and participate in labor negotiations and grievance strategies; interpret policies and cost out proposals.
• Provide financial support and guidance to the Administrative Coordinator, the Finance and Personnel Committee, the County Board, and department heads; undertake special financial projects and assist in long‑range fiscal planning.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year university or college in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or Public Administration.
• Three years of accounting or finance experience in a county, city, or other public governmental environment.