Assistant Finance Director

City of Brawley (CA); Brawley (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Brawley seeks an Assistant Finance Director to oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, procurement, and reporting. The role drives efficient financial policies and provides leadership to the Finance Department in collaboration with City stakeholders.

The position requires strong communication, delegation, and the ability to interact with the public and officials. Experience in governmental accounting and a relevant degree are essential.

Qualifications

• Five years of progressively responsible governmental accounting and budgeting experience, including two years in management.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business or public administration; master's preferred and may substitute for two years experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the City's financial operations including payroll, budgeting, disbursements, procurement, utility billing, accounts receivable, and reporting.
• Provide strategic direction and foster collaboration across the finance department.
• Prepare and present the annual budget, the ACFR, and grant reports.
• Oversee external financial audits and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Financial reporting

GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or public administration

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

CLASS TITLE: Assistant Finance Director

Under general direction of the Finance Director, the Assistant Finance Director oversees and coordinates all financial operations of the City, including accounting, budgeting, disbursements, utility billing, procurement, and reporting functions. This position is responsible for implementing efficient financial policies and practices, fostering collaboration within the Finance Department, and providing innovative, solutions-based leadership. The role requires strong written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with stakeholders, a proven ability to delegate tasks to enhance team productivity, and a commitment to achieving the City's financial objectives. The Assistant Finance Director acts as the Department Head in the absence of the Finance Director and performs related work as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:

• Five years of experience of an increasingly responsible nature in governmental accounting, financial services (i.e. accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and procurement), budget development and management, or auditing work, including two years in a managerial capacity, to obtain the knowledge and abilities listed above.
• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, business or public administration, or a closely related field. A master's degree in accounting, public administration, business administration, or a related field is preferred and may substitute for two years of experience.

Additional Requirement:

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.)

• Lead and manage the City's financial operations, including payroll, budgeting, disbursements, procurement, utility billing, accounts receivable, and reporting, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
• Provide strategic direction to team members across all financial service areas, promoting accountability, efficiency, and collaboration.
• Prepare, analyze, and present complex financial reports, including the annual budget, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and grant reports.
• Communicate financial information clearly and concisely to stakeholders, including City Council, department heads, and the public.
• Oversee the development and implementation of innovative solutions to improve financial systems, internal controls, and operational processes.
• Supervise and mentor staff, fostering professional growth and ensuring high performance.
• Assist on the coordination, preparation and administration of the City's annual budget, aligning fiscal strategies with organizational goals.
• Ensure timely and accurate filings with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Facilitate external financial audits, ensuring transparency and accuracy in financial reporting.
• Actively manage procurement activities to ensure cost efficiency and compliance with City policies.
• Represent the Finance Department in cross-departmental initiatives and special projects.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant State and Federal regulations, as well as the Brawley Municipal Code, and City Administrative Procedures and Policies.
• Responds to citizen complaints and requests for information.
• Acts as the Finance Director during absences and when otherwise designated.
• Performs related assignments, as necessary.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Best principles and practices of leadership, supervision, financial services (accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable, etc.), accounting, auditing, and budgeting in a governmental/municipal organization.
• Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for governmental agencies, particularly those promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
• GAAP financial statements for a governmental entity, including an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Best practices in managerial accounting and budgeting.
• Day-to-day operations of, and best practices in, accounts payable, payroll, general accounting, budget development and management, and enterprise resources planning (ERP) systems.
• Generally accepted governmental auditing standards.
• Grant accounting and financial management.
• Effective conflict resolution strategies and techniques.

Ability to:

• Provide clear, concise communication (both written and verbal) to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Analyze complex financial issues and develop practical, innovative solutions.
• Analyze financial transactions and determine the appropriate accounting and reporting.
• Delegate tasks effectively to maximize team efficiency and performance.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with staff, other departments, and external agencies.
• Plan, organize, and oversee the work of a multidisciplinary financial team.
• Lead with a solutions-oriented mindset to address operational challenges and improve outcomes.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:

• Five years of experience of an increasingly responsible nature in governmental accounting, financial services (i.e. accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and procurement), budget development and management, or auditing work, including two years in a managerial capacity, to obtain the knowledge and abilities listed above.
• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, business or public administration, or a closely related field. A master's degree in accounting, public administration, business administration, or a related field is preferred and may substitute for two years of experience.

Additional Requirement:

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Accommodations may be made for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Disaster Service Workers:

As per California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. This includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in assigned disaster service activities. Employees working for the City of Brawley take this responsibility seriously. Continuous evaluation of disaster plans, scheduled drills, and training sessions ensure the practice of executing emergency support services.