Chief Financial Officer

Salary : $111,867.00 - $184,581.00 Annually
Location : Palm Bay, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2781
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: General Employee


MINIMUM TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
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The following education and experience will be accepted:

• Bachelor's degree or higher (master's preferred), from an accredited college or university, in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field, plus a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting and finance: OR
• Associate degree, from an accredited college or university, in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, plus a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting and finance.

Minimum of five (5) years supervisory experience in local government finance administration. Must possess a valid Florida's Driver's License and have and maintain an acceptable driving record.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess and maintain at least one of the following certifications:

• Certification as a Professional Finance Officer (CPFO); OR
• Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO); OR
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

EMERGENCY DECLARATION STATUS
Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared emergency and/or declared emergency. On an incident-by-incident basis, the employee's Department Head will make the determination as to who will be required to work.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the city's senior financial executive and is responsible for the stewardship, integrity, transparency, and long-term sustainability of the city's financial operations. This position is more than a traditional finance director's role. The CFO is expected to be a strategic partner to the city council, city manager, executive leadership team, departments, residents, and stakeholders. Under limited supervision, the CFO leads financial strategy, budget development, forecasting, accounting, debt management, investment oversight, internal controls, financial reporting, grants compliance, utility finance, procurement coordination, and long-range fiscal planning. In this role, the CFO guides and supports the City's financial operations by applying advanced accounting and financial management expertise to inform decision-making. The position provides leadership to professional, technical, and administrative staff and exercises independent judgment in addressing complex financial issues. The CFO works collaboratively with departments citywide to ensure effective financial stewardship and alignment with organizational priorities. Reports to the City Manager.

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Directs Finance Department staff and all activities of the Finance Department; develops and communicates financial policies with the staff; develops and maintains a system of budget monitoring and procurement protocol; develops and maintains accounting systems to comply with statutory requirements and governmental practices.

Manages fiscal affairs of the city, involving such activities as preparation and monitoring of the annual budget, financial statements and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); the control of expenditures within approved appropriations; the collecting of fees for licenses and permits, public improvement assessments and other monies due the city; coordinating grant support; and authorizing and accounting for the disbursement of funds.


Develops strategy and coordinates bond issuance process for capital financing and refunding issues with Bond Counsel Disclosure Counsel, City Attorney, Financial advisor, and any other necessary consultants or service providers to complete the sale and delivery of the bonds; prepares financial and statistical data to support the bond issuance process; and reviews and approves bond closing documents.

Prepares request for proposal for services relating to the Finance Department activities, including but not limited to banking and investment services, financial advisors, and lease/purchase agreements.

Serves as treasurer for the City's Palm Bay Municipal Foundation, a 501(c)(3). Responsible for annual reporting for the Foundation to the State and Internal Revenue Service.

Advises and guides executive management in financial matters affecting the City, including cash management and investment policies, debt management, revenue enhancement and expenditure control.

Develops, reviews and makes recommendations related to various documents, including financial and administrative policies, contractual arrangements, resolutions, ordinances and agenda items related to financial matters; fiscal impact, studies, reports and proposals.

Conducts predictive financial modeling and communicates key fiscal information to City Council to support decision-making.

Interacts with third party consultants, including the pension plan administration, investment advisor, actuary, external auditors, investment advisors and financial institutions, underwriters and bond counsel as needed.

Develops, reviews, and implements special projects as directed by the City Manager, including implementing billing system, developing franchise agreements with utilities, pursuing financial assistance to private corporations and assisting in referendum issues.

Partners with Utility Department leadership to model revenue projections, monitor capital project budgets, and provide technical analysis for municipal rate adjustments.

Ensures organizational adherence to GAAP and GASB rulemaking authorities through the consistent application of evolving municipal fiscal standards.

Responsible for providing high quality, responsive customer service to both internal and external customers of the department. Expected to promote interdepartmental collaboration, build employee morale, and foster a workplace culture of integrity.
Oversees and monitors the department's KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to ensure targets are achieved.

Standardizes and monitors internal control protocols city-wide to prevent fiscal irregularities and ensure departmental adherence to anti-fraud and error-reduction policies.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Meets with citizen groups to provide financial information on City services programs.
Performs other related work as required.
The listed duties are only illustrative and are not intended to describe every function that may be performed by this job class. The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.
This position is General Exempt and is covered under Personnel Policies and the Administrative Code.

Health Insurance: Health care plan options include HDHP, OAPIN and OAP through Cigna.

Dental Insurance: Dental coverage is offered in three plans that include DHMO & PPO High/Low plans.


Vision Insurance: Vision coverage includes an annual eye exam, frames and lenses or contact lenses in lieu of eyeglasses.

Life Insurance: The City of Palm Bay provides each employee with life insurance in the amount of one time their annual base salary at no cost. Additional coverage is available at the employee's cost up to the Guaranteed Issue amount of $250,000.

Dependent/Spouse Life Insurance: The City of Palm Bay provides each employee with dependent/spouse life insurance in the amount of $5,000 per dependent at no cost. Additional coverage is available at the employee's cost.

Short Term Disability: Coverage pays 66 2/3% of employee's annual base salary during a short-term disability period not to exceed 26 weeks.

Long Term Disability: Coverage pays 66 2/3% of employee's salary at time of disability after a 180 consecutive day waiting period.

Defined Contribution Retirement Plan: City contributes a base of 3%. Employees may contribute up to 6% and the City will match the employees contribution.

Holidays: 11 holidays and 1 birthday holiday and 1 floating holiday.

Paid Leave: Accrue 96 hours of vacation and sick leave per year. Accrued vacation hours increase after 10 years of service. Administrative leave for exempt employees - 48 hours per year.
01


Do you have a valid driver's license and have and maintain an acceptable, safe driving record?

• Yes
• No

02


Please select the answer that best describes your highest level of completed education.

• Did not complete High School
• High School diploma, GED or equivalent
• Some college
• Associate degree from an accredited college or university, in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field
• Bachelor's degree or higher (master's preferred), from an accredited college or university, in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field
• Degree in an unrelated field

03


How many years of progressively responsible experience do you have in governmental accounting and finance?

• None
• Less than 8 years
• 8 to 9 years
• 10 or more years

04


Briefly describe your experience in governmental accounting and finance.
05


How many years of supervisory experience do you have in local government finance administration?

• Less than 5 years
• 5 to 7 years
• 8 or more years

06


Select from the list below, which certification(s) you possess.

• Certification as a Professional Finance Officer (CPFO)
• Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• None of the above

Required Question