Deputy Finance Director
Deputy Finance Director
Job Description
- General Purpose
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The Finance department serves both internal and external customers by providing a broad range of services and information. Core operational services include B&O Tax, customer service, utility billing, payroll, debt and investment management, accounting, financial reporting, budget, internal audit, and accounts payable and accounts receivable.
The Deputy Director, at the direction of the Finance Director, will be directly responsible for oversight of Customer Service, Accounting and Reporting, Financial Planning and B&O Tax divisions within the department as well as several administration functions having department-wide impact. H/She will have the responsibility of leading, mentoring, and supporting the employees of his/her divisions. The Deputy Director shall demonstrate behavioral competencies that support the department's overall performance and further its transformative impact on the city, departments, and the customers it serves. Additionally, the successful candidate will have the ability to bring a community focus and community-building approach to the delivery of technical work, the ability to effectively write, present and translate complex information to diverse external audiences, and the ability to use visionary thinking, innovation and planning to influence departmental and organizational outcomes.
**This is a full-time, overtime exempt position that is not represented by a union. A cover letter and resume are required with your online application in order for your application to be considered complete. Uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position. Please note that you cannot attach documents to your application after it has been submitted. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your online application, please call our office at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.**
This position is open until filled, with a first review cut-off date of December 16. Initial interviews for those found to meet the qualifications of this position are tentatively scheduled for the week of January 13, 2020.
Under the direction of the Finance Director, plan, organize, and manage the day-to-day operations of the of the Finance Department. Incumbent is responsible for supervising division managers who oversee Customer Service, Financial Planning, Accounting and Reporting and the B&O Tax program. Incumbent also monitors operating budgets, the Capital Facility Plan and monthly financial reports.
Work is delegated by the Finance Director and may include management, administrative, and supervisory responsibilities for the department, including directing and evaluating the operation of the department. Duties and responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Incumbent ensures efficiency and compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies and procedures, GAAP, GASB and BARS. Incumbent also assists with the development and maintenance of the City's Performance Measurement system and assists with implementation of division-wide processes, procedures, and technology solutions. Incumbent must possess a high level of integrity and honesty as well as a strong customer service approach.
Work is performed under broad managerial direction. The Finance Director provides the incumbent with assignments in terms of practice, precedents, policies and goals. Work may be reviewed for fulfillment of program objective's and conformance with departmental policy, practice and/or objective.
- Essential Duties and Responsibilities
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Participate in the administration of the overall department organization as assigned by the Director; coordinates implementation of strategic work plan directives and key initiatives. Direct the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records and files related to assigned divisions and programs; conduct special reports on a variety of matters at the request of the Director.
Manage, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff (administrative and represented); interview potential candidates and make hiring recommendations; recommend reassignments and disciplinary actions; arrange for appropriate employee training opportunities to provide for employee development and advancement.
Oversee preparation of the City's biennial operating budget and mid-biennium review under the direction of the Finance Director. Supervised development of biennial and 6-year revenue and expenditure forecasts and trending models for the City's operating budget. Manage the production of a biennial budget document consistent with best practices published by Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).
Oversee the City's B&O tax program and updates the City B&O tax ordinances, business rules, tax returns, schedules and other documents governing the city's B&O tax. Work with staff to develop policies and procedures including, but not limited to audit selection, audit planning, working paper standards, amended tax returns, tax audits, collection and assessments and refunds.
Oversee the accounting and reporting functions of the City including payroll, accounts payable, general ledger, investments, debt management and preparation of the comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).
Oversee customer service, including customer-focused services, for meter reading, utility billing, special assessment billing, business licenses, accounts receivable and general cashiering for all monies due the city, and services to city departments for purchasing, stores, postage and other support service functions.
Provide assistance to the Finance Director in preparation for Council and Council Committee meetings by preparing technical analysis, narratives, and recommendations; make presentations for Council Committee and Advisory Committee meetings.
Perform the duties on behalf of the Finance Director as required. Oversee internal communication of goals, plans and progress of various departmental divisions in support of the department's mission and business plan; use internal communication to create a sense of team, common mission, culture and celebration.
Communicate with other departments and outside agencies to resolve problems, provide information, explain accounting procedures, and discuss data anomalies or status in progress of special assignments. Assist department directors in financial development and implementation of department goals, objectives and short- and long-term plans.
Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES:
May serve as acting Finance Director in the Director's absence as assigned
Perform related duties as assigned.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
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KNOWLEDGE OF:- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Government Accounting Standard Board (GASB) Statement
- Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS)
- Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) principles and procedures
- Governmental accounting, budgeting and reporting principals and practices
- Applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and ordinances
- Business and tax laws, rules and regulations related to municipal accounting
- Contemporary customer service practices and technologies.
- Methods, procedures, policies, rules and current practices affecting the development, maintenance and control of financial systems
- Analysis of complex financial statements and reports
- Computer systems and applications related to accounting and auditing functions
- Basic programming techniques and advanced spreadsheet features such as developing macros, what-if table analysis, lookup tables, and file linking.
- Uploading and downloading files to/from a mainframe system
- Spreadsheets, word processing, database and graphic applications
- Automation processes including the review, procurement, implementation and maintenance of automated financial systems and programs
- City organization, operations, policies, objectives, and procedures
- Financial and general management principles, practices, and techniques
- Purchasing, contract, and project management principles, practices, and techniques
- Methods, principles, and practices of effective conflict resolution
- Principles and practices of governmental accounting, purchasing, and contract services
SKILLED IN:- Applying principles and practices of leadership, teambuilding, motivation and common-sense management techniques
- Leadership, management and supervision of assigned staff, including management of significant projects
- Effective oral and written communication
- Effectively using interpersonal skills in a tactful, patient and courteous manner
- Operation of a personal computer and related complex software including spreadsheet, database and presentation programs
- Application of research and analysis methods to define and resolve financial issues
- Application of internal control methods, procedures and management
ABILITY TO:- Exercise a high degree of independent judgment in defining and resolving issues, policies and procedures within scope of authority
- Establish and maintain trust, confidence and effective working relationships with assigned staff, co-workers, elected officials, managers, supervisors, employees and the public
- Manage, motivate and lead project teams, including cross functional and cross departmental teams without managerial control of the team or participants. Create a work environment that provides coaching and mentoring support of employee's professional growth
- Work effectively on several projects concurrently
- Read, interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
- Synthesize information quickly and make recommendations for policy direction with, at times, limited or imperfect information
- Perform a wide variety of professional accounting duties
- Analyze and prepare a variety of complex records, reports and other financial documents including financial statements, other technical financial reporting, and special reports and projects as assigned
- Work confidentially with discretion
- Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; apply common sense understanding to solve practical problems
- Meet schedules and time lines
- Provide technical expertise and information regarding budgeting principles, practices and policies
- Develop, modify and recommend improvements in existing budgeting procedures and introduce new procedures to expedite system
- Understand complex rules, regulations and contracts from the IRS, State, City and employee unions; ability to negotiate any of these instruments when necessary
- Positively interact with diverse individuals to accomplish a common goal
- Effectively present information to elected officials, groups of managers and employees
- Education, Experience and Other Requirements
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Education:
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration; MPA, MBA, CPFO, CGFM, or CPA highly desirable; and
Experience:
Seven (7) years of professional governmental accounting experience including five (5) years of supervisory experience including demonstrated responsibility for leading multiple units or divisions within a complex financial organization;
Or:
In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.