Chief Financial Officer - Kansas Judicial Branch

Serves as the Judicial Branch's Chief Financial Officer and principal advisor on all matters relating to financial strategy, fiscal policy, budgeting, accounting, payroll, procurement, court collections, grants administration, and financial systems. Provides executive leadership for statewide financial operations, including the Accounting Division and Centralized Court Payment Center, ensuring the responsible stewardship of public resources and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accounting standards.

Directs the development, implementation, and defense of the Judicial Branch budget before legislative and executive stakeholders while overseeing long-range financial planning, expenditure forecasting, revenue analysis, and organizational fiscal strategy. Leads modernization efforts related to financial systems, business processes, and technology initiatives that support statewide court operations. Works closely with judicial leadership, legislators, state agencies, and court stakeholders to align financial resources with the mission and strategic priorities of the Judicial Branch.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for all Judicial Branch financial operations, including accounting, payroll, budgeting, procurement, grants administration, court collections, debt collection services, and the Centralized Court Payment Center.
• Directs, plans, and oversees statewide accounting operations and financial activities to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), state laws, regulations, and Judicial Branch policies.
• Develops, administers, monitors, and defends the Judicial Branch's annual operating and capital budgets, including expenditure projections, revenue forecasting, budget narratives, and legislative budget requests.
• Serves as the primary financial representative of the Judicial Branch before legislative committees, executive agencies, budget officials, auditors, and other governmental stakeholders.
• Monitors and analyzes legislation affecting Judicial Branch finances and operations and provides fiscal analysis, recommendations, and strategic guidance to judicial leadership.
• Establishes and maintains internal controls, accounting policies, financial procedures, and fiscal management practices that ensure accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of public funds.
• Oversees statewide procurement, purchasing, contract administration, and payment processes to ensure fiscal responsibility, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Directs financial oversight of court collections programs, payment processing operations, and debt collection services to maximize accountability and revenue recovery efforts.
• Oversees the administration, accounting, compliance, reporting, and monitoring of federal, state, and private grant funding supporting Judicial Branch programs and initiatives.
• Leads financial system modernization efforts and technology initiatives designed to improve financial reporting, operational effectiveness, business processes, and customer service delivery.
• Directs financial reviews and assessments of district and appellate courts and ensures consistent application of accounting practices, policies, and procedures across the Judicial Branch.
• Oversees preparation of financial reports, audits, expenditure analyses, budget forecasts, and other financial information used to support executive decision-making and statutory reporting requirements.
• Provides leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management for professional accounting, financial, and court operations staff while fostering employee development, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborates with judicial leadership and operational divisions to develop innovative solutions addressing organizational challenges and emerging financial needs.
• Reviews and approves contracts, policies, procedures, financial agreements, and other documents affecting Judicial Branch fiscal operations.
• Serves on statewide committees, workgroups, and advisory bodies and represents the Judicial Branch in matters involving finance, budgeting, procurement, and organizational strategy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

A master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field and seven years of progressively responsible financial management experience, including experience overseeing complex budgets, financial systems, and professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
• Experience in governmental, judicial, or public-sector finance.
• Experience presenting budget requests to legislative or executive branch officials.
• Experience leading enterprise financial system implementations, financial modernization initiatives, and organizational change efforts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of accounting principles, GAAP, financial reporting standards, and auditing practices.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, and policies governing finance, procurement, contracting, and grants administration.
• Knowledge of public administration principles, including budgeting, strategic planning, and organizational governance in large governmental systems helpful but not required.
• Knowledge of legislative budgeting processes, appropriations cycles, and fiscal note development within state government helpful, but not required.
• Knowledge of internal controls, risk management frameworks, and compliance requirements for safeguarding public funds.
• Skill in strategic financial planning, forecasting, and long-range fiscal analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Skill in developing, presenting, and defending complex budgets and financial strategies before legislative and executive stakeholders.
• Skill in analyzing complex financial, operational, and policy issues and translating data into actionable recommendations.
• Skill in leading enterprise financial operations, including accounting, payroll, procurement, and centralized payment systems, along with modernization initiatives.
• Ability to provide executive leadership for statewide financial operations and effectively manage and develop high-performing professional teams.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with judges, legislators, executive officials, auditors, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly and persuasively in writing, presentations, and legislative testimony.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in high-stakes fiscal and policy decisions affecting statewide operations.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a complex, fast-paced public-sector environment while ensuring accountability and compliance.