Assistant Finance Director

Finance Department Assistant

Assists the Finance Director with the ongoing operations of the Finance Department. Administers various financial and accounting activities to ensure the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of City financial data, records, and reports. Provides direction and/or assistance to staff processing day-to-day transactions. Work performed requires the independent application of both technical accounting skills and general management knowledge to a variety of individual and team tasks within established laws, policies, and time limits. Work is performed with considerable independence, under the general supervision of the Finance Director, and is reviewed through meetings, reports, and results obtained.

Examples Of Duties

Financial Reporting:

1. With limited assistance, prepares the City's annual comprehensive financial report, including most year-end journal entries and supporting schedules; coordinates the annual audit.
2. Performs tests and analysis of financial data to verify accuracy.
3. Directs the preparation of internal monthly financial reports, primarily by reviewing staff completion of periodic entries and processing.
4. Prepares or assists in the preparation of various other financial reports and analysis, including State, Federal, and grant reports, verifying date of reports that were prepared by other departments or outside organizations.

Manages The Operations Of The Finance Department:

1. Develops and implements policies, procedures, and methods for directing and controlling the work activities of staff to ensure proper implementation and application of effective internal controls and City policies.
2. Provides detailed direction to staff performing the functions of cash receipts, payroll, utility billing, accounts payable, purchasing, capital assets, special assessments, and other accounting functions.
3. Performs final review of all Accounts Payable Invoices, summarizes weekly activity and organizes weekly staff meeting with Director and AP staff to address any issues.
4. Evaluates employee performance; recommends promotion or termination; participates in the selection and training of new employees. Meets regularly with employees for one-on-one check in to address needs and concerns of staff.
5. Performs and/or reviews purchasing functions to ensure that purchases are being made at the best price and quantity, and as may be most favorable to the city.
6. Maintains successful relationships with other departments while working on transactional data or explaining and interpreting financial policies set by the city to ensure compliance.

Other Essential Functions:

1. System Administrator of financial software; manages user databases and access permissions, assists users with report generation, analysis, and settings. Troubleshoot any issues and create tickets with provider to address if necessary.
2. Maintains records and assists in determining which official records must be stored or destroyed.
3. Keeps Finance Director promptly informed of all significant matters affecting the department; attends meetings related to duties as required. Performs the duties of Finance Director/City Treasurer in the latter's absence.
4. Proactively maintains a significant working knowledge of current technical accounting standards and implements necessary changes.
5. Performs other duties and responsibilities related to the position as apparent or assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field and
• At least three years of work experience in accounting or government finance or equivalent combination of education and experience in a similar environment may be considered.
• Three years' training and/or experience with Microsoft Office and fund accounting software.
• Strong customer service orientation, ability to create effective working relationships with a variety of people and maintain a positive professional manner while resolving customer issues

Desired Qualifications:

• Four or more years of governmental accounting work experience.
• Experience preparing or auditing a comprehensive annual financial report.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Master's degree in accounting or related field.
• Certified Public Financial Officer (CPFO) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of accounting principles and procedures in general.
• Thorough knowledge of Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting (GAAFR), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards and statements.
• Knowledge of the function, organization, staffing, and operating procedures of the various city departments.
• Knowledge of internal control.
• Knowledge of computerized accounting systems and document management systems, and the ability to train subordinates in their use.
• Ability to apply accounting theory and principles to a particular accounting system.
• Ability to supervise and evaluate employees.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with division heads, department heads, other employees, public officials, other governmental agencies, the City's auditing firm, and the general public.

--AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER-- M/F/V/H

The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or the provision of services.

Benefits

Full time benefits with a City contribution are offered for this position.