Assistant Director of Finance

City of Baytown; Baytown (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Baytown is seeking a Finance Director-level leader to oversee budget preparation, accounting functions including CIP, fixed assets, and grants, and to strengthen internal controls. You will mentor staff, drive process improvements, and coordinate reporting to City Council and external auditors.

The role requires strategic planning, cross-department collaboration, and ensuring transparency and accountability in all financial practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related field.
• Seven years of professional level experience in Finance or Accounting.
• Demonstrated progressive management and supervisory experience.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver’s license within 90 days).
• Equivalent combination of education, experience, certification and/or licenses acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director of Finance in overseeing and coordinating operations within the Finance Department.
• Direct, supervise and develop Finance staff and design internal controls.
• Prepare financial reports and ensure GAAP compliance and timely reporting.
• Coordinate annual audits and manage capital projects, grants, and budget preparation.
• Provide financial expertise to City departments and City Council.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Strategic planning

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

Master's Degree in Business Admin/Accounting (preferred)

Tools

Financial software systems

Job description

Join our Finance team and play a vital role in shaping the City’s financial future through strategic planning, sound fiscal management, and continuous process improvement. This leadership opportunity allows you to mentor and develop staff, strengthen financial operations, and collaborate across departments while ensuring transparency, accuracy, and accountability in the City’s financial practices. If you’re a forward-thinking finance professional who thrives on leadership, innovation, and making a meaningful impact in your community, we encourage you to apply!

Assists the Director of Finance in overseeing and coordinating operations within the Finance Department, including Budget, Accounting (specifically CIP, fixed assets, and grants), and the design and implementation of internal controls. Responsible for directing and supervising staff, planning, training, policy and procedures development, leadership, and providing support. Researches and formulates long-term goals for the organization, contributing to strategic planning and policy development. Interacts with various departments and the public to address issues, concerns, and process improvements. Plays a key role in strategic planning, performance improvement, and career development. Prepares financial reports, interprets data, maintains the City’s computerized financial systems, and ensures financial reporting is timely and compliant with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Supervises Finance staff, ensuring alignment with senior management goals and objectives. Plans, organizes, and oversees fiscal year-end closing for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Attends meetings, presents findings, and assumes the Director’s duties as needed.

• Assists the Finance Director in managing all financial activities of the City, including operating and capital budget preparation, CIP, fixed assets, grants, financial planning, and reporting.
• Directs, coordinates, and supervises personnel in the accounting division, overseeing disbursements, payroll processing, inventory and purchases, fixed assets, and capital improvement project reporting.
• Provides administrative support to the Finance Director, City Management, and City Council by supervising and reviewing financial reports related to the operational budget and component units.
• Ensures timely and appropriate management of grants and capital projects.
• Coordinates the annual audit and provides financial representation regarding audit issues, including coordinating financial statement preparation.
• Prepares various division budgets as assigned and develops and monitors financial policies and procedures.
• Oversees the preparation of reports for City Council or City Boards, including monthly Council financial reports and nine-month BAWA financial reports.
• Provides financial expertise and advice to departments on finance-related issues, including finance computer systems or subsystems.
• Evaluates, reviews, and develops departmental policies, procedures, and finance-related issues as assigned.
• Assumes the duties of the Finance Director in their absence, including attending meetings, making presentations, and representing the City before citizens and elected officials on financial and administrative matters.
• Provides leadership and management to all Finance Department staff, including reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating employee performance, process improvements, and internal controls.
• Performs personnel-related duties such as hiring, training, coaching, performance evaluations, and discipline.
• Performs special projects and any other related duties as assigned.

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or institution in Accounting, or a related field.
• Seven years of professional level experience in Finance or Accounting.
• Demonstrated progressive management and supervisory experience.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver’s license within 90 days).

OR

• An equivalent combination of education, experience, certification and/or licenses sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or institution in Business Administration, Public Administration, or Accounting.
• Certified Public Accountant.
• Experience in Public Funds Investment Act, Arbitrage regulations, GASB rules and regulations, government financial reporting and budgeting, and Government Purchasing Code.

A comprehensive understanding of finance, administration, and utility billing, with expertise in budgeting, purchasing, and financial reporting. Knowledge in principles and methods of finance, including governmental accounting, auditing procedures, and GAAP standards, and the ability to apply this knowledge in real-world situations. Skilled in strategic planning, process improvement, internal controls, and performance enhancement. Adept at developing and implementing policies, procedures, and fiscal systems while ensuring compliance with payroll laws and financial reporting standards.

Skilled in preparing complex financial statements, reports, and analyses, as well as analyzing situations and selecting effective courses of action. Strong leadership and management abilities, including the capacity to coach, train, mentor, and supervise staff across professional, technical, and clerical levels. Clear and concise communication, both orally and in writing, is essential, along with proficiency in word processing, database/spreadsheet programs, and financial software systems. Collaboration with City departments, executive staff, and the public is key, as is the ability to maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and the public.

Here at the City of Baytown, in recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you bring. We strive to provide a workplace where differences are honored, with a workforce that reflects the diversity of the people we serve.

Attendance is an essential function of this position. The City reserves the right to require an employee in this position to work more than 40 hours a week. This position provides services or performs duties for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations. These may include services or duties different from those performed in the usual course and scope of your job. In the event of an evacuation, the incumbent in this position may be required to remain to perform needed services.

Overall Position Strength Demands

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.