The city of Lakewood is seeking an experienced Finance Director who will lead the City’s long-term strategic financial efforts as well as engage and lead the Finance Department’s team of experienced professionals. The individual will represent the City to citizens, outside agencies and partners. The Director is a member of the City’s Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Mayor and will perform work of difficulty directing the financial operations of the organization. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated leadership success in a comparable or larger complex organization, a deep understanding of financial challenges and opportunities, an experienced financial subject matter expert with governmental accounting experience, and a commitment to public service.
The Finance Director will provide staff leadership and perpetuate a helpful and supportive culture to all dealings with our customers, while also working within governmental accounting practices. The Director will be required to establish and maintain strong, positive working relationships with internal and external partners. The Finance Director will also coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies and provides highly responsive, agile, and complex support to the Mayor and Department Directors.
The Finance Department holds primary fiduciary responsibility for providing accurate, timely financial information and reporting for the City that is essential for making economic, political and social decisions. As an internal service department, finance supports all City departments by providing core mission critical functions, direction and collaboration to departments on accounting and financial/budget policies, and monitors the performance of legal, contractual and fiduciary responsibilities
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Carries out supervisory/managerial responsibility in accordance with policies, procedures and applicable laws including: interviewing, hiring and training, planning, assigning and directing work; establishing deadlines; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; coordinating, developing and approving staff training; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Plans, coordinates, assigns, and monitors performance and coaches, counsels, mentors, trains, and advises employees in department for the dual goals of meeting department goals and employee career development.
Manages the completion of the Comprehensive Financial Annual Report, including: reviewing new Government Accounting Standards Board pronouncements and implementing into the report; converting the general ledger from the mainframe to a PC file; preparing journal entries for audit conversion in conformance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practices; preparing financial statements, statistical and miscellaneous data and drafting related correspondence; explaining information and providing feedback; and participating in related meetings.
Oversees and processes information related to the budget, including: preparing worksheets for dissemination to departments; forecasting revenues and the City’s ability to issue debt; checking and verifying department budget entries; working with departments to correct/amend budget submission; providing and presenting financial information, data and history to aid in discussions; managing the preparation of special budgets; preparing required legislation; assembling the budget document; participating in budget hearings; filing appropriations; and managing the reproduction and distribution of the budget document.
Develops the City’s operating and capital budgets under the direction of the Mayor and in partnership with the department directors.
Manages and supervises finance operations to achieve goals within available resources; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff.
Oversees general ledger accounting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, utility billing, and other functions of the Finance Department.
Oversees the preparation of debt schedules, including: creating spreadsheets; forecasting the ability of the City to pay its debts; and preparing wire transfers and backups.
Prepares the indirect cost rate, including: collecting data from departments; assembling the data into the indirect cost model; preparing entries to report expenses; interpreting and explaining results; applying the rate to cost centers; and preparing related journal entries.
Reviews bank reconciliation and investment portfolio information, including: reviewing cash available in active accounts; determining funds available to cover expenses; preparing and processing wire transfers and associated journal entries; and discussing upcoming maturities and other funds available for investment with advisor.
Monitors and forecasts hospitalization expenses, including: wiring transfers; reviewing claims; reconciling payments; reviewing status and making cost projections; and preparing transfer ordinance authorizing payments to the IRS.
Prepares financial documentation for various projects and at the Mayor’s request; develops spreadsheets and prepares graphs for presentations. Provides financial analysis when required or requested.
Provides ongoing financial reporting to the administrative team, the City Manager, and City Council, as well as guidance and support to other City departments on financial and accounting issues.
Establishes and maintains internal control procedures and assures that state and national standard accounting procedures are maintained. Monitors city compliance with city, state, and federal laws. Coordinates annual audit of city records with auditors.
Monitors the fiscal status of the City, performs financial planning, makes recommendations regarding financial operations, and develops fiscal policies.
Directs the Treasury collection activity and custody of public funds. Oversees the investment of City funds and the payment of bond obligations.
Acts as custodian for all city funds. Certifies availability of funds.
Serves on various city committees, attends City Council meetings.
Minimum Qualification
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field, Master’s degree preferred; and,
Five to ten years of progressively responsible related experience; or,
Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Qualified, interested applicants should submit a current resume and complete an application form on http://www.onelakewood.com.
Applications will be accepted until Friday, January 3, 2020.
The City of Lakewood is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Posted 12-12-2019
Find one job in US 