POSITION SUMMARY

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) is seeking a highly qualified and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the Agency’s financial operations and serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team. The CFO is responsible for ensuring the fiscal integrity, transparency, and long-term financial sustainability of the Agency while maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

The CFO plans, organizes, and directs all functions of the Finance Department, including governmental accounting, budgeting, payroll, grants accounting, procurement oversight, and financial planning. This role provides strategic financial guidance to executive leadership and the Board of Commissioners and supports data driven decision making across the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(These duties are representative and not all-inclusive.)

• Plans, organizes, directs, and controls all financial and accounting operations of the Agency.

• Provides financial analysis, reports, and recommendations to the CEO, executive leadership, and the Board of Commissioners.

• Oversees all Finance Division functions, including:

      o Financial accounting and reporting

      o Payroll administration

      o Grants accounting and compliance

      o Accounts payable and receivable

      o Cash management

      o Capital asset accounting 

• Develops, analyzes, implements, and maintains financial policies, procedures, internal controls, and fiscal safeguards.

• Ensures accounting processes are conducted in accordance with:

      o Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

      o Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards

      o Louisiana State Auditor requirements, including Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System (BARS) standards

• Oversees financial components of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding programs, including formula and discretionary grants, and ensures compliance with federal grant requirements, reporting, audits, and financial controls.

• Leads long-range financial planning, forecasting, and sustainability initiatives to support service delivery, capital programs, and organizational growth.

• Oversees procurement and contract administration activities to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

• Directs and administers financial policies related to employee pension, retirement, deferred compensation, and benefit plans in coordination with Human Resources and external vendors.

• Coordinates and supports external audits, regulatory reviews, and funding agency oversight; ensures timely resolution of audit findings.

• Supervises, mentors, trains, and evaluates Finance Department staff; fosters a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Governmental accounting and financial reporting

• GAAP and GASB standards

• Louisiana State Auditor requirements, including BARS

• Federal and state laws, rules, and regulations related to public transportation

• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding and compliance requirements

• National Transit Database (NTD) Uniform System of Accounts (USOA)

• Governmental budgeting principles and practices

• Risk management principles and internal controls

• Contract development and administration, including union contracts and labor agreements

• Deferred compensation, retirement, and pension plan regulations

Skilled in:

• Strategic financial analysis and fiscal planning

• Budget development and financial oversight

• Interpreting and presenting complex financial data

• Supervising and developing professional staff

Ability to:

• Lead a complex governmental finance operation

• Communicate effectively with executive leadership, Board members, auditors, and funding agencies

• Exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality

• Work effectively in a unionized public-sector environment

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in finance or accounting, including at least seven (7) years in government, transportation, or a related public-sector environment.

• Five (5) years of supervisory or management-level experience in finance or accounting.

• Demonstrated experience in financial statement preparation and budget development.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position may be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

• Active membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

• Experience with enterprise financial and workforce systems, including but not limited to:

      o Munis Enterprise

      o Sage MAS 500 or comparable accounting systems

      o OpenGov or similar procurement platforms

      o Netchex payroll and human resources software platform or similar 

CATS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  A high school diploma or equivalent and three years’ experience in transit with at least one year in supervisory/management capacity in any field and at least two years as an operator with CATS. A valid Louisiana Commercial Driver’s License & DOT Medical Card is required. 

SUMMARY:   Performs daily servicing, inspection, removal of vaults from fare boxes and cleans buses and other CATS Transit vehicles.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:  Knowledge of fleet training principles and practices, knowledge of operational and mechanical aspects of fleet equipment. Knowledge of federal, state, and local statutes, codes and standards of the policies and procedures that relate to bus, trolley and van operation. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to establish working relationships within department, agency, and external vendors. 

Essential Duties: 
Responsibilities include (but are not limited to): 
·        Perform daily service of buses such as; adding fuel, checking and adding fluids and coolants, cleaning interiors, washing exteriors, emptying vaults from fare boxes, checking tires for thread and pressure. 
·        Inspects for and reports torn seats, rotting floors, cracked windows, loose mirrors, worn or damaged tires, fluid leaks, improper or unusual odors, etc. 
·        Perform custodial building maintenance in the garage, such as sweeping and washing floors. 
·        Perform periodic maintenance work on service equipment such as the bus washer. 
·        Fully knowledgeable of and maintain compliance with all safety rules and regulations. 
·        Insure proper safety tools and equipment are used at all times and understand the requirement for reporting safety hazards and/or violations. 
·        Assist mechanics with minor maintenance, as requested. 
·        Other duties as assigned. 

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CATS complies with applicable state and local laws
governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment,
including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

• Applicants must have a valid Commercial Driver's License with Passenger Endorsement for job consideration. 

• Examines bus to insure its proper mechanical operation, including review of all safety features.

• Safely operates transit buses in revenue service according to the State of Louisiana traffic regulations, transporting passengers over established city routes according to required time schedule.

• Collects bus fares, issues transfers, and answers passengers’ questions in a professional and congenial manner.

• Conduct ridership surveys, reports bus stop and bus shelter problems, delays due to accidents, street closures, and passenger misconduct incidents.

• Provides passengers with information regarding bus routes, answers service questions and announces major bus stops and transfer points.

• Enforce company policies regulating passenger conduct.

• Assists in loading, securing, and unloading wheelchairs and passengers based on the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

• Reports any dangerous conditions that could jeopardize the safety of the passenger or other members of the public.

• Maintains contact with dispatch and reports current position and conditions effecting the operation of the route as required.

• Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary.

• Effective and respectful communication and interaction with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and customers.

• Other duties as assigned or apparent.

DESIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Skilled in safe driving practices and great customer service skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively both oral and written including presentation abilities.

• Ability to establish and maintain an effective and cooperative working relationship with coworkers, supervisors, other company employees, city officials and the general public using courtesy, tact, and good judgment.

• Ability to deal with difficult situations and understand the views and concerns of others.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a diverse workforce.

• Ability to work in varying weather conditions.

• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices within 90 days of employment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent

• MUST be at least 21 years of age or older and possess a valid Commercial Driver's License with Passenger Endorsement

• MUST be available to work varying shifts to include days, nights, weekends and holidays. • MUST be able to pass physical agility tests with no limitations on upper or lower back.

• MUST be able to walk, kneel, bend, push and/or pull to complete moderate to heavy lifting when necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

How to apply:  Please visit www.brcats.com/apply to complete and submit online application or download, complete and submit application to catscareers@brcats.com.   

CATS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.