Assistant Finance Director

SALARY RANGE: $112,611.20 - $183,580.80

Position Summary:

This position directs the planning, coordinating, and supervision of daily operations of the City’s financial activities and utility billing, including accounting, accounts payable, revenue collection, customer service and utility billing. The Assistant Finance Director assists the Director of Finance with the operations of the Finance Department and Utility Billing Division. Work is performed with considerable independence, under the general supervision of the Director of Finance, and is evaluated through open communication, meetings, reports, successful completion of projects, and results. Oversees adherence to technical requirements consistent with governmental accounting requirements imposed by the State of Florida and other governing bodies, ensuring that the city’s assets are effectively managed and safeguarded, and that all components of the financial management information system are properly maintained. Work is reviewed through oral and written reports, discussion, and results obtained.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Plans, organizes, and directs the work of various finance department divisions as directed by the Director of Finance.

• Provides financial guidance and support to the Director of Finance.

• Furnishes all financial reports on a regular basis.

• Recommends, develops, implements, and monitors internal control measures.

• Addresses and resolves administrative and policy concerns related to accounting procedures.

• Collaborates closely with the City’s external auditors and provides them with comprehensive financial data to ensure thorough and accurate auditing processes.

• Develops, implements, and manages the coordination of new or revised policies or procedures in response to areas identified by external auditors or management, ensuring that all improvements are effectively integrated, and address identified issues.

• Analyzes financial data, including bond documents, monthly financial reports, actuarial reports, and funding requests, to ensure strict adherence to relevant laws and regulations.

• Offers expert guidance and training to supervisory and professional staff on specialized functions and evaluates their performance to guarantee the effective and timely completion of assignments.

• Actively participates in administrative meetings, offering technical guidance and insight to support strategic decision-making and ensure alignment with best practices.

• Delivers engaging and informative presentations to both internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the City, as requested.

• Oversees the Finance Department in the absence of the Director of Finance.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty or responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities; education and experience; and certificates or licenses required to fill the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, principles, and practices applicable to governmental accounting, debt issuance, treasury management, procurement, and budgeting. 

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting and budgeting, as applied to municipal government.

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and basic principles of accounting as applied to Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB).

• Knowledge of modern office and management principles and practices; thorough knowledge of audit practices and internal control procedures.

• Knowledge and ability to anticipate financial requirements and implement the processes or procedures to satisfy the requirements. 

• Knowledge of computer systems pertaining to accounting and financial management.

• Knowledge of budgeting and financial reporting systems.

• Must have strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to effectively interact with coworkers, department heads, supervisors, the public, and others in order to exchange information and understand tasks.

• Ability to identify problems and institute corrective procedures and policies within the realm of responsibility. 

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload.

• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of employees in a manner conducive to full performance.

• Ability to establish financial goals and objectives and ensure appropriate follow-up actions to accomplish approved goals and objectives.

• Ability to analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting records and to present findings and reports accurately, completely, and effectively in oral and written form.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with directors, employees, vendors, and other agencies.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in financial management, evaluating situations, and making decisions.

• Ability to prepare and analyze complex financial transactions and reports.

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or related field. Master’s degree, preferred.

• Seven (7) years of accounting experience with at least two (2) years of public sector experience required.

• Three (3) years of experience in a supervisory capacity or in a management capacity, preferably in the public sector.

• A combination of education, training, and experience may be substituted at the City Manager’s discretion.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Designation as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO), or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) certificate, preferred.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver License and be insurable by the City’s current insurance provider.

• National Incident Management System (NIMS) training will be required according to job duties and responsibilities within one (1) year of employment.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manages, supervises, and evaluates personnel as assigned.

Essential Physical Abilities:

Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time

Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time

Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time

N/A = Not applicable

Environmental Conditions:

Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time

Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time

Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time

N/A = Not applicable

Emergency Responsibilities:

In the event of an emergency or disaster, an employee may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by the employee’s department, Emergency Management or City Administration. Such assignments may be before, during or after the emergency/disaster.

Disclaimers:

This job description is not intended to, and does not, constitute an offer of employment or a contract for employment or the terms and conditions of employment. The City of Plant City has the right to revise this job description at any time.