ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

JOB SUMMARY: This position is responsible for all City financial accounting and purchasing functions, including supervising and training staff, overseeing the monthly and fiscal year end close, all internal and external audit and reporting functions, as well as compliance with local, state, and federal procurement regulations and the North Carolina Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. Examples of Duties Provides oversight, direction, and strategic guidance for all financial activities.

Supervises the following accounting units: Payroll, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Grants, and General Accounting, which include accounting activities such as fixed assets, utilities, leases, investments, bonds, debt, tax credit financing, miscellaneous billing, and property taxes; delivers clear, timely, and transparent financial analysis. Oversees the City’s internal and external financial reporting requirements, including statutory reporting, grant reporting, compliance reporting, statistical reporting, and managerial reporting.

Oversees the City’s annual independent audit, including preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, ensuring compliance with internal controls, ensuring adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), implementing new Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines, and coordinating the audit function. Partners with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to develop and implement long-term financial initiative; serves as backup in the absence of the CFO and for other key positions in the Finance Department.

Oversees the City’s bank accounts, ensuring proper review, adequate internal controls, and the safeguarding of funds. Supervises staff, providing guidance to employees directly and indirectly. Defines, assigns, prioritizes, and directs the work of the accounting division staff and resources; supervises, evaluates, and develops personnel. Trains City employees on accounting processes and requirements; provides comprehensive training and opportunities for professional development to accounting staff; provides training to City employees on financial computer software applications; offers training classes and creates financial procedural guidance and policies for all City employees.

Oversees the preparation, submission, and administration of the annual Accounting division’s budget; monitors and controls division expenditures to ensure compliance with budgetary restrictions. Manages the General Ledger master and the creation of new general ledger accounts in accordance with proper accounting practices and in line with the current chart of accounts, and ensures new accounts are set up properly. Responsible for monthly opening and closing periods in the financial software system.

Processes and approves requisitions for the Accounting Division. Creates and posts journal transactions in preparation of audit. Prepares workpapers and large volumes of complex audit work. Communicates effectively with internal and external customers regarding inquiries, requests for financial information, resolving issues, and delivering financial or procedural instructions. Researches current and emerging accounting standards to ensure the City is compliant with applicable standards and prepared for new standards; communicates appropriate information and recommendations with staff and the Chief Financial Officer.

Participates in advisory and other governance groups related to technology used by the division; ensures that key applications are current and functioning. Formulates and implements ongoing innovative improvements designed to best carry out the essential duties of the division and provide the best quality work. Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

Five years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, public finance, or business management, including three years of supervisory experience. Special Qualifications: Certified Public Accountant: Must be a North Carolina CPA in good standing, or a CPA in good standing in another state with the ability to become certified in North Carolina within one year of hire . Ability to be bonded Valid North Carolina driver’s license Supplemental Information Knowledge of the principles and practices of public finance, budgeting, accounting, and debt management.

Knowledge of financial accounting and specialized accounting requirements for government entities. Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines. Knowledge of the Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting model. Knowledge of internal financial controls. Knowledge of budgetary policies and procedures. Ability to import financial information into the main financial software system from several sources and to validate the ledger after the import.

Ability to work in many software applications. Skill in the supervision of personnel. Skill in utilizing financial computer software programs. Skill in analyzing problems and identifying solutions. Skill in preparing clear and accurate reports. Skill in establishing cooperative and productive working relationships. Skill in evaluating and establishing written policies and procedures. Skill in performing mathematical calculations.

Skill in operating computers and other standard office equipment. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relations. Skill in oral and written communication. Ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop, evaluate, and implement effective solutions. Ability to navigate, arrange, and respond to competing priorities, delivering quality outcomes under strict deadlines.

Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Skill in developing, coaching, and mentoring staff by providing consistent feedback and clear direction. SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES : Directly supervises the Accounting Manager, the Purchasing Manager, and an Administrative Assistant. PHYSICAL DEMANDS Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching.

Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine. Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Hearing 2: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication. Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-toposition.

It occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles. Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes. Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion. Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward or outward. Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers. Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely. Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time. Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Visual Acuity: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading. WORK ENVIRONMENT : Work is typically performed in an office setting with occasional travel for meetings and conferences. The role may require extended hours during budget cycles, financial reporting periods, or other times as necessary.