Assistant Finance Director

City of Palos Heights; Palos Heights (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Palos Heights is seeking an Assistant Finance Director to help lead the City’s financial operations, accounting, budgeting, payroll, and grant reporting. You will supervise a three-person team, assist with the annual audit, and help implement fiscal policies.

The role may assume Finance Director duties in their absence. Ideal candidates will have a degree in accounting or related fields and at least three years of government accounting experience, with CPA or MBA preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental or municipal accounting.
• Master’s degree or CPA or related professional certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the management and oversight of the City’s financial operations, accounting systems, and internal controls.
• Coordinate and prepare documentation for the annual external audit.
• Prepare revenue projections and assist with developing city operating and capital budgets.
• Prepare and maintain grant-related financial records and reports.
• Assist in preparing the Annual Treasurer’s Report and other required financial reports.
• Post audit adjustments, journal entries, receipts, and disbursements and verify fund balances.
• Supervise utility billing, payroll, accounts payable/receivable staff and admin staff.
• Participate in employee selection, training, scheduling, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
• Perform duties of the Finance Director during absences or as assigned.
• Maintain departmental records and ensure compliance with retention requirements.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and governmental accounting standards.

Skills

Governmental accounting principles

Budgeting practices

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Leadership and communication

GAAP compliance

Analytical ability

Staff supervision

Financial management software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field

Master of Public Administration (MPA), MBA, CPA or related certifications preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Governmental financial management software

Job description

The Assistant Finance Director assists in the administration and oversight of the City's financial operations, accounting, budgeting, payroll, utility billing, accounts payable and receivable, grant reporting, and financial reporting. This position helps coordinate the annual audit process, prepares financial analyses and revenue projections, maintains the integrity of the general ledger and internal controls, supervises a three person staff, and ensures compliance with applicable accounting standards and governmental regulations. The Assistant Finance Director serves as a key member of the management team, provides support to the Finance Director in the development and implementation of fiscal policies and procedures, and may assume the responsibilities of the Finance Director.

Full Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are representative of the work performed by this position and are not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional duties may be assigned as necessary.

Financial Administration and Reporting

• Assist in the management and oversight of the City’s financial operations, accounting systems, and internal controls.
  Coordinate and prepare documentation, schedules, worksheets, confirmations, and supporting records for the annual external audit.
• Serve as the secondary liaison to external auditors and assist with audit fieldwork and preparation of annual financial statements.
• Prepare revenue projections and assist with the development and compilation of the City’s annual operating and capital budgets.
• Prepare and maintain grant-related financial records and reports.
• Assist in preparing the Annual Treasurer’s Report and other required federal, state, and local financial reports.
• Post audit adjustments, journal entries, receipts, and disbursements and verify fund balances.
  

Accounting and Financial Oversight

• Monitor and reconcile bank accounts, accounts receivable, accounts payable, utility billing receivables, and other financial accounts.
• Verify the accuracy of daily cash receipts, utility billing transactions, and accounts receivable activity.
• Review and analyze general ledger accounts, financial reports, liens, and utility disconnection records.
• Review payroll processing for accuracy and coordinate necessary fund transfers.
• Review accounts payable schedules and coordinate transfers to ensure adequate funding.
• Ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), governmental accounting standards, and applicable regulations.

Department Leadership and Administration

• Supervise and coordinate the activities of assigned personnel, including utility billing, payroll, business licensing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and administrative staff.
• Participate in employee selection, training, scheduling, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
• Act as the Finance Department liaison to information technology initiatives.
• Maintain departmental records and ensure compliance with record retention requirements.
• Perform the duties of the Finance Director during periods of absence or as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental or municipal accounting.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or other related professional certifications are preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and governmental financial management software.
  

Financial and Analytical Skills

• Thorough knowledge of governmental accounting principles, budgeting practices, financial reporting requirements, and internal controls.
• Ability to analyze complex financial data, identify trends, and develop recommendations.
• Ability to prepare accurate financial reports, forecasts, and projections.
• Knowledge of grant accounting and financial compliance requirements.
• Leadership and Communication Skills
• Ability to supervise, motivate, and evaluate staff effectively.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, ordinances, statutes, and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with elected officials, department directors, auditors, employees, residents, customers, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in sensitive financial matters.
  

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in financial management systems, spreadsheets, databases, and office software applications.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare reports utilizing various financial and administrative software systems.