Job Description

The Finance Manager serves under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and is directly responsible for managing and administering the State Bar’s finance operations as assigned which may include any of the following: budgeting, fiscal planning, financial analysis, financial reporting, general and special fund accounting, accounts payable and receivable, payroll and employee benefits, member billing, procurement, investments, audits and related activities consistent with accepted prudent financial and accounting standards and other relevant governing authorities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

A Finance Manager performs work of significant responsibility, complexity, and oversight. This includes responsibility for the strategic development and administration of policies, procedures, budgets, and plans as well as managing the day-to-day operations of the assigned functional areas. While specific duties of individual positions vary, there are common factors of supervision; responsibility for preparation, analysis, and control of the program’s budget and expenditures; and liaison activities with other units in coordinating business and service functions. The determination of the specific classification level is based upon the relative size, complexity, and visibility of the program involved as well as the scope of supervisory responsibility and level of technical expertise and qualifications necessary to manage the program.

Examples of Essential Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with colleagues within the State Bar and professional relationships with external constituencies of the State Bar.
• Manages and administers the State Bar’s finance operations as assigned which may include: budgeting, fiscal planning, financial analysis, financial reporting, general and special fund accounting, accounts payable and receivable, payroll and employee benefits, member billing, procurement, investments, audits and related activities in accordance with accepted financial and accounting standards.
• Supervises, reviews, hires and terminates assigned staff consistent with over all State Bar policy.
• Assists in developing and implements fiscal policies, procedures, strategic plans, systems and related initiatives including budgets, forecasts and financial projections and reports consistent with prudent accounting standards and the operational standards of the State Bar.
• Assists in formulating and implements short-term and long-term goals and plans to improve the efficiency and efficacy of the State Bar’s fiscal affairs, processes and operations including budget instructions, policies, procedures and guidelines to be used by every unit and cost center within the State Bar.
• Manages and coordinates the work of the office assuring appropriate levels of support to accomplish the work of the office.
• Coordinates and assists in initiating as appropriate, inter-office projects, programs and activities.
• Assists in providing fiscal policy guidance and staff assistance to the executives, staff and other constituencies.
• Provides timely response to inquiries from State Bar staff, auditors and other constituencies regarding the State Bar’s fiscal affairs.
• Manages and administers the State Bar’s fiscal resources within institutional parameters and in accordance with applicable accounting standards, subject to the direction of the CFO. This includes fiscal forecasting, monitoring performance against forecasts, providing reports as required, responding to auditors.
• Promotes the integrity, prudence, and efficacy of the State Bar’s fiscal processes and procedures.
• Maintains appropriate confidentiality in administering the financial affairs of the State Bar and may direct contractors, consultants, experts and others.
• Provides or administer support for one or more State Bar committees as assigned.
• Assumes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Employment Standards

Knowledge & Skills:

• Advanced principles of accounting, auditing, budgeting, financial control and reporting, financial analysis including Government Accounting Standards and special/general fund administration, procurement, payroll and benefit administration, and investment policy.
• Principles of strategic planning, operations, policy development implementation.
• Principles of office management, budgeting, administration, and supervision.
• Principles of problem identification, analysis and resolution.
• Principles of computerized financial data and software systems including Internet and website usage.
• Principles of centralized information and data based record keeping systems.
• Principles of institutional management.
• Principles of effective writing and verbal presentations, including public speaking.
• Principles of media communication.
• Principles of public relations/customer service.
• Principles of board and committee administration.
• Principles of organizational behavior and conflict resolution.
• Principles relating to fiscal policy analysis, reporting and research.
• Principles of effective institutional communication in dealing with different constituencies.
• Principles of effective personnel management in a union environment.
• Accomplished keyboard skills.

Ability To:

• Receive and relay detailed information through verbal and written communications.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in person, by telephone, by computer and in writing.
• Possess visual capability and digital dexterity to operate a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Travel by air and automobile.
• Make fine visual distinctions upon proofreading written documents and viewing information on a computer screen.
• Review and analyze complex written and financial data.
• Obtain and present material in oral and/or written form.
• Speak publicly to large groups to people.
• Perform under stress and adopt effective courses of action.
• Effectively interact with others in an interactive environment.
• Effectively address conflict.
• Retrieve, lift and carry files and documents weighing up to ten (10) pounds with reasonable accommodations.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business or public administration, or equivalent academic achievement.

Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years’ progressively responsible experience in institutional financial management in a non-profit, public sector or similar environment or equivalent.
• Minimum three (3) years’ management/supervisory experience administering personnel and budget requirements.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field or public accountant certification may substitute for up to two (2) years of experience.

Applicants who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be required to successfully complete the State Bar’s selection process for this classification.

License, Certificate, Registration Requirements:

• None required.

Physical Requirements:

• Sit for extended periods of time.
• Make fine visual distinctions upon proofreading written document and viewing information on a computer screen.
• Travel by air and automobile.
• Possess visual capability and digital dexterity to operate a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Retrieve, lift and carry files and documents weighing up to ten pounds with reasonable accommodation.
• Frequent and ongoing use of a telephone and computer terminal.

Company Description

The State Bar of California’s mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system. The State Bar: •Licenses attorneys and regulates the profession and practice of law in California •Enforces Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys •Disciplines attorneys who violate rules and laws •Administers the California Bar Exam •Advances access to justice •Promotes diversity and inclusion in the legal system Created by the Legislature in 1927, the State Bar is an arm of the California Supreme Court, protecting the public by licensing and regulating attorneys. The State Bar licenses more than 250,000 attorneys, investigates approximately 16,000 complaints of attorney misconduct annually and distributes over $30 million in grants to legal aid organizations. We serve the people of California through careful oversight of the legal profession.