DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general administrative direction, plans, directs, manages, and oversees the functions, programs, and operations of the Finance Department including the operation of the Accounting, Purchasing, and Revenue Management/Collections divisions to assure the integrity and accuracy of the City’s financial system; produces timely and accurate financial statements and budget reports; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to a Deputy City Manager.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Finance Department functions, programs, and operations including general accounting functions, cash management, general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, grant activity, collections, utility billing, purchasing/warehousing, revenue management, payroll preparation and reporting, and any and all other related financial matters as they occur.
• Manages the development and implementation of Departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly.
• Assesses and monitors work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate level staff, the Finance Department’s work plan; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the Department budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Oversees and monitors transactions and generated data to assure financial reports and records are accurate and to assure approved budgeting, accounting, purchasing, and administrative policies and procedures are maintained and followed.
• Prepares comprehensive annual financial report and related schedules, work papers, notes disclosures and correspondence.
• Establishes, maintains, evaluates, and recommends improvements to the City’s financial internal control systems and procedures.
• Establishes, maintains, evaluates and recommends improvements to current purchasing procedures; establishes new procedures for service contracts as necessary.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates the annual financial examination by external auditors; responds to questions and resolves problems as necessary.
• Oversees and coordinates the City’s 5-year capital improvement program. Advises and assists the City Council and City Manager during labor negotiations.
• Oversees, monitors and maintains the City’s computerized PeopleS oft accounting and financial reporting system.
• Provides staff assistance to a Deputy City Manager; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Represents the Finance Department to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; advise City departments on financial matters as necessary.
• Explains, justifies, and defends department programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of finance and accounting.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints. Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive municipal finance and accounting program.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of financial management, governmental accounting, auditing, and cash management.
• Generally accepted accounting principles and practices.
• Governmental accounting and reporting practices, principles and theories.
• Principles and practices of cost accounting.
• Internal control principles and procedures.
• Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting.
• Laws and court decisions which relate to finance administration and management.
• Advanced methods and techniques of effective technical, administrative, and complex financial report preparation and presentation.
• Dynamics of City government and general problems faced.
• Principles and practices of customer services.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Financial systems software.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to:

• Manage and direct a comprehensive municipal finance and accounting programs.
• Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Analyze and assess programs, policies, and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Set long term goals for the department.
• Provide leadership in support of the City’s management principles in attaining the primary goal of the City to provide quality service to citizens and customers.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Collect, analyze, evaluate, and interpret complex information and data including complex financial data.
• Ensure adherence to generally accepted accounting principles.
• Read, analyze, and interpret financial reports.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Interpret computer-generated data and reports.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.

Experience: Ten years of increasingly responsible professional finance and accounting experience including three years of management and administrative responsibility.

License or Certificate - Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting. CONTINUOUS working indoors, dust from paperwork. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure. Work is performed indoors in office and in meeting rooms.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment. CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. FREQUENT side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: April 2003
Johnson & Associates