Assistant Finance Director

An employee in this class provides the day-to-day supervision for receiving, disbursing, and accounting of revenues and expenditures for the City. Work involves supervision of the financial reporting, accounting, accounts payable, revenue collection, fixed assets, property tax reporting, banking and payroll functions. Employee performs specialized accounting and supervisory level work for the City and provides significant financial support in the annual ACFR preparation. The employee must exercise significant judgment and initiative in identifying and resolving the daily problems and activities of the fiscal control system and in performing advanced financial analysis work. Work is performed in accordance with established City finance procedures, generally accepted accounting principles, local ordinances and North Carolina General Statutes governing the responsibilities of local government fiscal operations under the North Carolina Fiscal Control Act.  Work is performed under the general supervision of the Finance Director and is evaluated based on attainment of individual and department objectives, accuracy of records, compliance with federal and state laws, and adherence to national generally accepted accounting principles. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

• Assists Finance Director in maintaining accounts of the City in accordance with generally accepted principles of governmental accounting and the rules and regulations of the Local Government Commission of North Carolina. 

• Supervises the maintenance, control and analysis of the fiscal operations of the City Government. 

• Directs the planning, organization and maintenance of central accounting systems, including pre-audit, posting of expenditures, accounting controls, daily deposit of collections, investment programs, and other related activities. 

• Ensures compliance with Federal, State and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to all requirements; and advising management on needed actions. 

• Assigns, directs, and supervises assigned staff of accounting personnel, ensuring adherence to established policies, procedures, and standards; assists and advises subordinates, as necessary, resolving problems as non-routine situations arise. 

• Administers and makes recommendations for routine personnel matters affecting subordinates, including assisting with interviewing applicants, hiring, training, appraising, disciplining; preparing and submitting various reports and records as required by department management. 

• Supervises and establishes daily priorities for the operation of the assigned functions and activities for the office. 

• Supervises the workflow and adjustment of work among the staff.  

• Assists the Finance Director with portfolio management of the City. 

• Conducts and completes research; analyzes data; prepares and submits financial reports; and makes recommendations to assist Department Heads in making financial and operational decisions. 

• Prepares/reviews various federal and state financial reports, including grants on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. 

• Accounts for Long-Term Obligations, including processing debt payments, preparing debt schedules, and completing statutory debt reporting. 

• Assists in preparation of City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and various other financial statements for internal and external uses. 

• Assists in preparation of department budget.  

• Monitors expenditures monthly, quarterly, annually, and makes adjustments and corrections as needed. 

• Prepares all year-end closing entries. 

• Approves purchase orders on behalf of the Finance Director. 

• Communicates with and advises department heads and other departmental staff of budget or expenditure problems. 

• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; formulates, develops and administers work methods and practices, policies, standard operating procedures, and training programs; monitors implementation of rules and regulations; and updates and revises policies and procedures as required.  

• Verifies accuracy of detail in journals on a daily basis and posts to proper general ledger accounts; adjusts, closes and balances accounts and funds. 

• Assists other municipal departments with accounting related questions and procedures.  

• Interprets and enforces current fiscal policies and practices for the department. 

• Approves journal entries entered into the accounting system.  

• Assembles statistical and accounting data on request. 

• Assists external auditors during the annual audit of the financial records; overseeing coordination of the annual audit and preparation of complex audit schedules. 

• Generates special reports and statements for City management as requested; performs special financial analysis tasks. 

• Performs other related job duties as assigned.  

QUALIFICATIONS 

Education and Experience: 

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, public administration or related area; and six (6) years of experience in finance administration (preferably in local government) and supervision; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.   

Special Qualifications: 

• Possession of a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.  Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment. 

• Certified Public Accountant, CPFO, MBA, or Master’s Degree in Accounting. 

• Government Financial Officer Certification by the North Carolina Governmental Finance Officers Association or ability to obtain. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Knowledge of general laws and administrative policies governing municipal financial practices and procedures. 

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and laws of accounting, and municipal bond financing in government. 

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of a municipal purchasing system.  

• Knowledge of principles and practices of effective communications with others, both orally and in writing. 

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of management and supervision including reward systems, employee relations, disciplinary process, training, and motivation. 

• Ability to prepare and present complex and detailed fiscal reports of a financial nature to the City Council or other governing bodies or state and federal agencies. 

• Ability to supervise the development and installation of accounting systems and procedures; ability to prepare and to interpret financial reports. 

• Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of employees in fields of accounting, payroll administration, statistical reporting, tax assessment and collection, banking and investments. 

• Ability to develop and implement teambuilding skills to achieve harmonious working relationships within the Finance Department, with department heads, municipal staff, governmental officials, and the public. 

• Ability to conduct long-range fiscal planning. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Work in this classification is defined as light work requiring the physical exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands require climbing, crouching, crawling, standing, walking and lifting. Vocal communication is required for responding to inquiries, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for extensive reading, to prepare and analyze written or computer data, determine the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observe general surroundings and activities. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Work is primarily performed in an office with a controlled environment without exposure to harmful conditions. Position is subject to meetings outside the normal 8-hour day environment and may include travel to facilities, working after hours and on weekends without additional compensation.