Elizabeth Castillo

About Elizabeth Castillo

Municipal finance executive and Certified Municipal Financial Officer (CMFO) with over 24 years of professional experience, including 18+ years in New Jersey municipal government finance for the City of Jersey City. Former Chief Financial Officer, Acting Finance Director, and Deputy Finance Director, with deep institutional knowledge of citywide fiscal operations and executive-level leadership in a complex, high-visibility municipal environment.My background spans the full scope of governmental finance functions, including budget preparation and execution, financial reporting and compliance, treasury and cash management, municipal debt issuance, audit coordination, grants oversight, and internal control remediation, within a municipal organization with an operating budget exceeding $600 million. I have worked directly with executive leadership, City departments, City Council, external auditors, bond counsel, financial advisors, and State oversight agencies.I approach the CFO role with a stabilize-to-grow mindset: restoring fiscal discipline and transparency first, aligning structure and accountability second, and then building long-term financial capacity to support responsible growth. I believe the CFO’s role is to certify financial reality, ensure compliance and integrity, and provide leadership with clear, reliable information to support informed policy decisions.After stepping away from City employment in 2021 following an extended period of executive municipal service, I continued to apply my skills in financial analysis, negotiation, compliance, and fiduciary responsibility in the private sector. I am now seeking to return to public service at a time when experienced, disciplined financial leadership is essential to restoring confidence, strengthening governance, and positioning municipalities for long-term sustainability.

Experience

1. Licensed Real Estate Agent, Realtor

   Keller Williams Realty, LLC

   Feb 2021 — Present · US

   Advise clients on the financial aspects of residential real estate transactions, including pricing analysis, affordability considerations, and investment evaluation.Analyze market data, comparable sales, and trends to support informed decision-making.Negotiate contracts, pricing, contingencies, and closing terms while ensuring regulatory and contractual compliance.Coordinate transaction documentation, escrow timelines, and closing requirements.Maintain accurate financial and client records in compliance with brokerage and regulatory standards.

Education

• Rutgers Business School

  Certified Municipal Finance Officer, Governmental Accounting

• Baruch College

  Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Public Accounting