DIRECTOR OF FISCAL SERVICES

SEVERN TRENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES GROUP

 

SEVERN TRENT SERVICES 

Severn Trent Services is a member of the Severn Trent Plc group of companies. Severn Trent Plc was formed in 1974 as a regional, state-owned water authority and began trading its stock on the London Stock Exchange as an investor-owned company in 1989. A $2.4 billion British water utility headquartered in Birmingham, England, it operates in the UK, the U.S. and Europe and employs more than 14,000 people in the provision of water, wastewater, and utility-related services for municipal and industrial clients worldwide.

The Severn Trent Services organization has grown its U.S. business through acquisitions and organic growth and features a score of companies across eight divisions. Today, it has operations worldwide and is a $600 million per year business, employing nearly 5,000 personnel providing water and wastewater services to numerous communities and industrial customers.

Severn Trent’s 300 Florida employees serve approximately 250 clients in the state with services that range from contract operation of water and wastewater utility systems to the management of Community Development and other Special Districts. Our services encompass a wide array of activities from handling customer service issues to developing comprehensive financing plans for our clients. We directly oversee and coordinate the planning, financing, purchasing, staffing and reporting and act as governmental liaison for our clients

SEVERN TRENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Severn Trent Environmental Services, Inc. (Severn Trent) is the largest consulting firm in Florida that specializes in providing a complete range of financial, administrative and operating services to community development districts. Severn Trent’s Management Services Group and its predecessor, Gary L. Moyer, P.A., have been serving special districts in Florida since 1982.

We provide management services to more than 180 local governmental agencies – most of them community development districts – throughout the State of Florida.

We have had the privilege of working with a multitude of clients including The Walt Disney Company, U.S. Home Corporation, Bonita Bay Group, WCI Communities, L.P., Pulte Homes, Westbrooke Company, Champion Paper Corporation, the ITT and Arvida/JMB Partners.

Our regional approach to serving our clients, with offices in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Ft. Myers and Coral Springs provides our clients with management personnel who have local knowledge of the development community and the support of more than 110 professional staff dedicated to district management services.

Severn Trent provides a broad range of services to community development districts including:

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Management Services – Planning, budgeting, overseeing district operations and maintenance, utility billing, payroll, collections, staffing, establishing and implementing policies

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Recording Services – Maintaining and managing district records, minutes, resolutions, contracts and agreements

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Financial Accounting Services – Budget management, general ledger, reporting, cash management and revenue reporting

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Special Assessment Services – Assisting with development and implementation of financial strategies and long-term debt issuance (bonds), levying and collecting non-ad valorem assessments on and off the county tax roll

 

THE POSITION

The Severn Trent Management Services Group currently has an opening for the Director of Fiscal Services. This position will work out of the Severn Trent Coral Springs office. The Director of Fiscal Services will oversee a staff of approximately 30 employees and be responsible for all fiscal services provided to our clients in the Southeast U.S. region.

The Director of Fiscal Services develops, implements, and administers accounting policies and procedures to meet client needs, state requirements, federal regulations, and other guidelines of oversight entities and regulators. He/she implements appropriate internal controls to safeguard client’s assets.

The Director of Fiscal Services oversees the design, selection, implementation, and administration of automated financial information systems and directs staff in related work flow improvements.

The Director of Fiscal Services provides professional research and advice regarding complex accounting, financial, and budgetary issues. He/she interprets federal, state, and municipal laws and ordinances governing fiscal operations and regulatory compliance.

The Director of Fiscal Services uses knowledge of general and government accounting, auditing, and budgetary theories and procedures, and communicates results in non-technical form to users of financial data.

The Director of Fiscal Services oversees and coordinates the work of external and internal auditors. He/she assists actuaries, rate study consultants, and other consultants as required.

The Director of Fiscal Services supervises staff in the development, control, and administration of comprehensive revenue, operating, and capital improvement budgets. He/she ensures compliance with regulations of oversight bodies.

The Director of Fiscal Services oversees monitoring and evaluation of budgetary compliance and identifies issues on a timely basis, and identifies creative and appropriate corrective action plans.

The Director of Fiscal Services directs activities of Financial Reporting staff including the preparation of financial reports, studies, and analysis as required or requested by the Vice President. He/she reviews financial statements, reports, and other records to ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and ordinances.

The Director of Fiscal Services plans, organizes, controls, and supervises the work of professional and paraprofessional staff engaged in accounts payable, accounts receivable, revenue collection, fixed assets, payroll, proprietary fund accounting, pension and fiduciary accounting, and other financial reporting activities. HE/she ensures timely and accurate collection and payment of accounts.

The Director of Fiscal Services provides insight and guidance on financial and budgetary matters from a Company-wide perspective.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education     Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field required. CPA or a Masters in Business Administration, Accounting, or Public Administration is highly desirable.

Work Experience     Minimum of 8 years of professional supervisory or management experience in Governmental Fund Accounting, budget, or finance required.

Desired Knowledge, Abilities, Attributes, Skills

A can-do, results-oriented attitude

A commitment to excellence

A value-added approach to management

High ethical standards

Extensive experience with bond financing

Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Thorough knowledge of Governmental Accounting Principles and Procedures

Thorough knowledge of budgeting practices and procedures

Considerable knowledge of Special Assessment Programs and methodologies

Considerable knowledge of modern management practices, procedures, theories, and organizational analysis

Considerable knowledge of data processing and software capabilities related to accounting and budget applications

Considerable skill in the preparation and monitoring of large, complex operational and capital improvement budgets

Working knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations applicable to governmental accounting and budgeting

Ability to review accounting systems and pertinent data programs and recommend modifications and improvements to meet changing needs and requirements

Ability to analyze and interpret fiscal records and to prepare accurate and complete financial statements, summaries and reports in compliance with regulatory oversight requirements

Ability to develop budget and administrative procedures and forms

Ability to quickly prepare oral and written reports and impart them effectively

Ability to plan, assign, supervise, and review the work of subordinate personnel

Outstanding analytical skills

Change agent skills and experience

Well-developed sense of fiscal responsibility

Willingness to "ask the tough questions"

Orientation toward proactivity and seeking challenges

Ability to develop creative solutions to complex financial issues

High level of mission orientation

High level of energy and enthusiasm for accomplishing organizational goals

High sense of accountability

 

COMPENSATION

Starting salary is $90,000 - $120,000, depending on qualifications. Good benefit package.

 

  HOW TO APPLY

Cover letter, resume, and salary history by July 20, 2005 to: Tom D. Freijo, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, The Mercer Group, Inc. Email: Freijo@mercerfl.com P.O. Box 9328, Winter Haven, Florida 33883. TEL: (863) 299-3571 FAX: (863) 299-6737. Severn Trent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.