Finance Director

General Statement of Duties 

Performs managerial and complex professional duties in planning, organizing, and directing the financial and purchasing functions for the City. 

Distinguishing Features of the Class 

An employee in this class plans, directs, and organizes and administers a variety of fiscal and administrative functions including disbursement and accounting of revenues and expenditures, monitoring and administering the budget, accounting, purchasing, collections, information systems, billing and payroll operations, and grant administration. The employee must exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative in planning and directing the fiscal control and procurement system. Work is performed in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes and State regulations governing the responsibilities of local government financial operations, local government purchasing, contracts and bidding, and City policies and manuals. Work is performed under the supervision of the City Manager and is evaluated through conferences, reports, analysis of program accomplishments, feedback from other departments, and by an independent audit of financial records. Position is appointed by the City Council.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks 

· Plans, organizes, and directs the Finance Department including financial programs and operations, accounting, utility and miscellaneous accounts receivable billing, revenue collections, purchasing, fixed assets, budget, investments, accounts payable, payroll, grant administration, assessment levying, privilege license billing and collections; develops and implements departmental goals.

· Assists the City Manager in preparation of the general operating and capital improvements budgets; projects revenues and conducts historical research on spending and trends in previous years; forecast capital and financing schedules and cost estimates.

· Works with the Manager in directing the formulation of City financial policies; assist other departments with the development and implementation of financial systems.

· Directs the general accounting system for the City; maintains financial records for each department; maintains separate accounts for items of appropriation in the budget; monitors expenditure and obligations on accounts.

· Reviews and monitors ongoing administration of budget: monitors revenues and expenditure; coordinates activities and changes with City departments.

· Manages the Finance Department staff and resources; prepares annual departmental budget; hires, trains, provides performance coaching and evaluation, staff communications, leadership, motivation, and work assignment; identifies and manages technology needs.

· Reviews budget system and financial conditions and develops methods of improvement. 

· Oversee the preparation of monthly and annual financial statements, and the preparation of other reports on the fiscal condition of the City; monitor the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports on payroll.

· Assists external auditors with annual audit and coordinates the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

· Serves as risk manager responsible for administration of property, casualty and liability insurance. 

· Coordinates efforts of underwriting, forecasting, and the preparation of the official statement for bond issues and other financing agreements; administers the debt service program for the City.

· Monitors grant agreements for financial and award compliance; directs the timing of drawdowns for expenditures; tracks capital project revenue and expenditures.

· Approves purchase orders.

· Manage receipt and investment of all City revenues; manages the meter reading, utility billing, collections and customer accounts function for the City.

· Coordinates the levying of paving, water, sewer, and storm water assessments.

· Oversee the enforcement of the privilege license ordinance adopted by the Council; makes recommendations to ordinance changes due to the North Carolina General Statute changes or local changes.

· Submits to the City Manager and the Council quarterly statements of the financial condition of the City, quarterly financial statements due September 30, December 31, March 31, June 30.

· Determines revenue projections based on expected expenditures and projected
revenues; works with departments to project annual departmental revenues and
expenditures; works with staff to prepare budget amendments.

· Oversees internal controls to safeguard financial integrity and ensure adherence
to established guidelines.

Additional Job Duties 

Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Thorough knowledge with strict compliance of North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS 159), GAAP, and GASB and of local ordinances governing municipal financial practices and procedures, purchasing materials, supplies and equipment.

· Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public finance administration, including principles and practices of municipal accounting.

· Expert knowledge of fiscal support activities such as purchasing, technology, payroll, and budget analysis and preparation.

· Thorough understanding of application of information technology to the department and City-wide financial systems including financial software applications, spreadsheets, databases, utility billing and customer accounts packages, etc.

· Thorough knowledge of City policies and procedures related to personnel, budgeting and purchasing.

· Considerable knowledge of modern and effective supervisory principles and practices including leadership, motivations, communication, performance coaching and evaluation, and hiring.

· Working knowledge of laws and regulations related to hiring and staff management.

· Skill in collaborative conflict resolution and customer contact.

· Ability to evaluate complex financial systems and formulate and install accounting methods, procedures, forms, and records.

· Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of subordinate employees in the specialized fields of accounting, utilities and information services, revenue collection, purchasing and warehousing.

· Ability to design and prepare analytical or interpretative financial statements.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, vendors, departmental heads, governmental officials, and other City employees.

· Ability to develop bid specifications and evaluate bids.

· Ability to interpret and explain intricate laws and procedures relating to the financial systems, procurements and purchasing process.

· Accuracy and thoroughness in the analysis and preparation of financial records and reports.

Physical Requirements 

Must be able to physically perform the life support functions of stooping, crouching, reaching, lifting, walking, fingering, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 15 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and statistics, operate a computer terminal, perform accounting duties, and do extensive reading.

Desirable Education and Experience

· Bachelor degree in Accounting or Finance required with 7 years experience in public finance administration and 5 years supervising a finance team of 3 or more.

· CPA, Certified Local Government Finance Officer, Master in Business or Master Public Administration designation highly preferred.

· Five years of management experience in finance with a similar organization or with a major CPA firm.

Required Certifications

· Ability to be bonded in the state of North Carolina.