Treasurer Assistant Tax Collector

Treasurer/Assistant Tax Collector

Town of Marblehead

Position Summary:

The Treasurer serves as the chief cash management and treasury officer for the municipality and is responsible for the administration, custody, investment, disbursement, and reconciliation of all municipal funds in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws and accepted governmental finance practices. The Treasurer oversees municipal banking relationships, debt management, payroll disbursement, cash forecasting, trust funds, and investment activities while ensuring strong internal controls, financial integrity, and regulatory compliance.

This position requires advanced knowledge of Massachusetts municipal finance laws, treasury operations, governmental accounting practices, debt administration, and public sector financial management. The Treasurer works collaboratively with the Deputy Tax Collector/Asst. Treasurer, municipal leadership, financial institutions, auditors, state agencies, and the public to ensure the municipality’s financial stability and operational effectiveness.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the role.

Treasury & Cash Management:

• Maintains custody and control of all municipal funds and ensures the accurate receipt, deposit, investment, and disbursement of public monies.
• Manages the municipality’s cash flow, liquidity, and short- and long-term investment strategies in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws and town financial investment policies.
• Monitors daily cash balances and prepares cash flow projections and financial analyses.
• Oversees municipal banking relationships and coordinates banking services, wire transfers, electronic payments, and merchant services.
• Administers trust funds, stabilization funds, special revenue funds, and other municipal financial assets.

Debt Management & Financial Administration

• Coordinates with the Finance Director the issuance and administration of municipal debt, including bonds, notes, and temporary borrowing in collaboration with financial advisors, bond counsel, auditors, and state agencies.
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local reporting requirements related to debt and treasury operations.
• Development of financial policies, procedures, and long-range financial planning initiatives.
• Participates in budget development and financial forecasting activities.
• Maintains accurate financial records and prepares reports for municipal leadership, auditors, and regulatory agencies.

Payroll & Disbursement Oversight

• Ensures timely and accurate processing of payroll and vendor payments.
• Reviews and authorizes checks, ACH transactions, and electronic disbursements.
• Ensures compliance with applicable payroll and tax reporting requirements, and internal controls. Responsible for 941 tax forms and payments.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Develops, implements, and monitors strong internal control systems to safeguard municipal assets and ensure financial accountability.
• Reconciliation of bank accounts, investments, and cash balances with the accounting system.
• Coordinates annual audit activities for Treasury and responds to auditor requests and findings.
• Ensures compliance with Massachusetts General Laws, federal regulations, and municipal finance best practices.

Leadership & Administration

• Supervises treasury office personnel and oversees daily departmental operations.
• Establishes departmental procedures, workflows, and operational standards to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Provides professional guidance and financial expertise to municipal officials, department heads, boards, committees, and the public.
• Attends meetings of the Select Board, Finance Committee, Town Meeting, and other municipal committees as required by the Finance Director.
• Participates in professional development activities and maintains awareness of evolving municipal finance regulations and best practices.

Supervision Received and Exercised

• Works independently under the  direction of the Finance Director.
• Exercises considerable independent judgment in the administration of treasury functions and financial operations.
• Supervises treasury staff.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in a municipal office environment requiring extensive interaction with employees, residents, financial institutions, auditors, attorneys, and governmental agencies. The position frequently handles highly confidential financial and personnel information requiring discretion, integrity, and sound professional judgment.

Errors in financial management, investments, debt administration, reconciliation, or statutory compliance could result in significant financial loss, audit findings, legal liability, operational disruption, or adverse public impact.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field required; Minimum of five to seven (5–7) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal finance, treasury management, governmental accounting, or state financial administration. Massachusetts municipal finance experience strongly preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Certifications

• Certification as a Massachusetts Municipal Treasurer required or ability to obtain certification within three years of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of Massachusetts municipal finance laws, including M.G.L. Chapters 35, 44, 59, 60, and related statutes.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting principles, municipal debt management, cash management, and investment practices.
• Strong understanding of banking operations, trust administration, payroll systems, and financial controls.
• Ability to analyze complex financial data and prepare detailed financial reports and projections.
• Proficiency in municipal financial software systems, spreadsheets, and Microsoft Office applications.  Munis and QuickBooks strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to maintain bonding eligibility and handle sensitive financial information with confidentiality and integrity.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to prepare financial reports, maintain accurate records, and perform complex reconciliations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with elected officials, employees, residents, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced municipal environment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work generally requires sitting, speaking, hearing, reaching, and operating standard office equipment for extended periods of time. The employee may occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 40 pounds. Vision requirements include the ability to read detailed financial documents and operate computer systems.