Chief Financial Officer

The Montana Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for our Chief Financial Officer.   Position is open until filled with the first review of applicants on February 27, 2025.

 The Montana Department of Agriculture is serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky.

The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) operates more than 30 programs, many funded entirely through user fees. These include regulatory programs that protect producers, consumers and the environment, as well as development and marketing programs to foster growth in Montana agriculture.

The Central Services Division (CSD) is responsible for the accounting, budgeting, data processing, legal, payroll, personnel, public relations, purchasing, and administrative functions for the Agency. The Division provides fiscal and budgeting support; assistance with policy development and implementation; interpretation of rules, regulations, and statutes for the Agency; and administrative and support services necessary to allow Agency programs to operate efficiently and effectively in delivering services to the agriculture industry in Montana.

Job Overview:
This position is responsible for developing and implementing fiscal policies and systems; overseeing agency accounting activities; analyzing agency business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations, to project future revenues and expenses and to develop and manage the agency budget; and overseeing centralized support services such as inventory management, procurement, and records management. 

As the Chief Financial Officer, you will:

• Develop and implement fiscal policies and systems and oversee all agency accounting activities to properly account for and report fiscal operations and ensure compliance of all fiscal activities with state and federal law and professional accounting and auditing principles and practices.
• Analyze agency business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations, to project future revenues and expenses and to develop and manage the agency budget.
• Directly supervise 3 FTE Accountants and 1 FTE Budget Analyst to ensure efficient work assignments and compliance with personnel policy and law.
• Perform and oversee centralized support services such as inventory management, procurement, and records management to ensure efficient and effective support for agency business operations and compliance with applicable policy and law.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the concepts and theories of accounting, financial management, and budget development and administration.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP); fiscal planning including the principles and practices of budget and program development; budget forecasting; governmental accounting and budgeting; the state’s budgeting process; legislative processes; federal grant reporting; contract administration; and records management.
• Knowledge of employment law, program requirements, and personnel management practices and techniques.
• Skills in budgeting, program management, and plan implementation.
• Knowledge of standard office and specialized accounting software applications (e.g., SABHRS, IBARS).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct short and long-term fiscal management programs.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and explain complex financial data.
• Ability to apply analysis and judgment in arriving at solutions to routine, unusual, and unprecedented financial and budgetary problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to motivate and direct staff to meet Department goals.