Finance Director/Town Accountant

FINANCE DIRECTOR/TOWN ACCOUNTANT

Town of Oxford

FINANCE DIRECTOR/TOWN ACCOUNTANT

Date last revised – June 29, 2026

classification

Grade 21 -Exempt

Salary Range

$94,328 - $142,272

Budgeted

40 hours per week

General Description  
Under the administrative direction of the Town Manager, the Finance Director/Town Accountant will oversee and lead the finance team, encompassing Accounting, Assessing, Treasury, and Collections. The Finance Director/Town Accountant will ensure full compliance with Massachusetts laws, bylaws, and GASB Standards. Candidates must possess strong collaborative leadership, strategic thinking and strong financial stewardship. The Finance Director/Town Accountant will be responsible for overseeing the general accounting, budget, grants, procurement/purchasing, audit, cash and investments, AP/AR, and fiscal operations and will lead the Division of Finance operations for the Town of Oxford. The Finance Director/Town Accountant is responsible for fulfilling daily financial requirements and all financial reporting to state and federal agencies. 

Duties
In addition to the job specific duties of the position, the Finance Director/Town Accountant shall work under the general supervision of the Town Manager to direct all the financial activities of the town, including: 

• Thorough knowledge of the municipal financial procedures and budget processes
• Preparation and execution of the municipal budget and capital improvement budget; oversee development of five-year capital plan; and
• Maintenance of the central accounting system, pre-auditing, posting of expenditures and revenues, preparation of reports, bonding, maintenance of purchasing records and controls.
• Oversee Information Technology budgetary and contractual needs of Town and collaborate with Town Manager and Department Heads concerning technology and software needs. 

The Finance Director/Town Accountant shall personally be responsible for:

• Review work related to account records keeping, billings and collections
• Prepare specialized financial analysis reports and recommendations, determine and prepare debt management and investment schedules, prepare bond payment schedules
• Direct and assign personnel within the Division and implement procedural improvements; and perform other related duties as assigned.
• Duties may require supporting emergency operations in certain roles, either in person or remotely, with the activation of an Emergency Operations Center. The position may be designated with an auxiliary title within an emergency operations command structure as designated by the Emergency Management Director. 
• Develop and submit financial documents to the Government Finance Officers Association, including the annual budget presentation document for review and consideration for recommendations to improve.
• Schedule and manage annual auditing processes and coordinate requested document response among various departments.
• Develop comprehensive long-range financial forecasting as directed by Town Manager by utilizing relevant available financial data, trends, resources and outside professional. 
• Collaborate with Town Manager in scheduling annual budget development meetings with Department Heads as well as Finance Committee, reviewing departmental requests with Town Manager, and developing recommendations for Finance Committee to consider approving.
• Provide any necessary financial information to assist Town Manager in preparing the annual budget message, joint board budget presentation and town meeting information materials.
• Develop and submit financial related warrant articles for both the annual and special town meetings and make recommendations for motions concerning such articles.  

Required Knowledge, Ability, and Skills

The Finance Director/Town Accountant must have:

• Thorough knowledge of the municipal financial procedures and budget processes
• Complete understanding of all Town departments with a full comprehension of how they interact
• Extensive knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of municipal finance and accounting
• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration
• Considerable knowledge of modern office management principles and practices
• The ability to analyze, interpret and report fiscal findings and recommendations
• The ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of a related municipal finance department
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, department officials, advisory boards, auditors, vendors and contractors
• Familiarity with various computer operating systems, accounting software, copiers, VOIP Phone systems and computer networks
• Good interpersonal and communicative skills. 

Education/Experience
The Finance Director/Town Accountant shall have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in public administration, municipal finance, business operations or public accounting and seven to ten years of increasing responsibility working in public administration, municipal finance or public accounting positions or equivalent experience and education.

Independent Action
The Finance Director/Town Accountant shall operate independently within state regulations and guidelines to establish work schedules, set priorities, and assign staff to assure timely completion of all work in the Division of Finance, but defer to the Town Manager on significant personnel issues and budget priorities.

Physical Requirements
Light to moderate physical effort is required in performing some duties.  May be required to move (push or pull) or lift objects; occasional bending, kneeling, and squatting when inspecting work.   

Job Environment
Work is performed in typical office conditions. Work responsibilities are variable with periods of extreme activity occurring several times a year. Work is often fast-paced and high pressured. Position requires frequent communication with other Town departments, attorneys and the general public. Communication is by means of telephone, electronic messaging, in-person discussion and in writing. Errors could result in significant legal and/or financial repercussions. Hours of work are variable and may include working nights and weekends or during emergencies.

Supervisory Responsibility
The Finance Director/Town Accountant shall have direct supervision of eight or more skilled employees.