Assistant Finance Director

Town of Smithfield; Smithfield (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Smithfield is seeking a senior financial leader to manage the Town's budget, accounting, and financial reporting.

The role supervises accounts payable, payroll, billing, and compliance with North Carolina statutes, while directing the monthly and annual financial statements and audit preparation. A Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting and public finance experience are required, with CPA or master's preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in governmental or management accounting, business, or finance with 5 to 7 years of public finance experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• CPA, Finance Officer certification, or Master in Business or Public Administration preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Must be bondable.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and supervises financial operations including disbursement, accounting, and billing.
• Oversees budgets, fixed assets, and accounting functions.
• Monitors revenues and expenditures and prepares financial reports.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and audit schedules.
• Assists in policy formation and budget development with the Finance Director.
• Represents the Town at conferences and meetings.

Skills

General accounting

Public finance administration

Budget analysis

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in governmental or management accounting, business, or finance

CPA or Master in Public Administration preferred

Job description

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONING OF WORK:

Performs highly responsible supervisory, administrative and fiscal control work for the overall financial management of the town.

Work involves planning, coordinating and administering all aspects of the Town's budget.

• Responsibilities include overseeing utility billing, administration of the receipt, disbursement and accounting of town revenues and expenditures.
• Performs direct supervisory functions over the accounts payable clerk, payroll/accounting technician, billing supervisor and customer service representatives.
• Responsible for the posting and balancing of general and subsidiary ledgers for preparing finance related reports, conducting research, collecting and analyzing data, preparing annual audit schedules and budget monitoring.
• Extensive judgment, discretion and technical knowledge are required.
• Work is performed under the supervision of the Finance Director and is evaluated through observation, conferences, and the quality and effectiveness of work completed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

The employee may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties and other duties which may be assigned by the Town of Smithfield.

• Plans, organizes, and directs the financial operations including disbursement and accounting of municipal funds, billing, purchasing, fixed assets, accounting, collections, and preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Supervises staff assigned to these functions.
• Develops and implements departmental goals.
• Assists the Finance Director in preparation of the general operating and capital improvements budgets.
• Projects revenues and does historical research on spending and trends in previous years.
• Assists the Finance Director in directing the formulation of Town financial policies.
• Assists in managing the receipt and investment of Town revenues.
• Administers debt service program.
• Reviews and monitors ongoing administration of budget.
• Monitors revenues and expenditures.
• Assists in supervising the general accounting system for the Town.
• Maintains separate accounts for items of appropriation in the budget.
• Tallies and tracks accruals and balance sheet accounts on a monthly basis.
• Monitors expenditures and obligations on accounts.
• Maintains financial records for each department.
• Coordinates fiscal activities, updates and modifications with Town departments.
• Assists in the preparation and modification of ordinances and procedures which pertain to finance and accounting.
• Performs special projects for the Finance Director.
• Represents the Town at various conferences and meetings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• General knowledge of North Carolina General Statutes and local ordinances governing municipal financial practices and procedures.
• General knowledge of principles and practices of public finance administration, including principles and practices of municipal accounting.
• General knowledge of fiscal support activities such as purchasing, fixed assets, liability, and budget analysis and preparation.
• Ability to evaluate complex financial systems and formulate and install accounting methods, procedures, forms, and records.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of subordinate employees in the specialized field of accounting, utility services, and revenue collection;
• Ability to design and prepare analytical or interpretative financial statements;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, departmental heads, governmental officials and with other Town employees;
• Ability to conduct long range fiscal planning;
• Accuracy and thoroughness in the analysis and preparation of financial records and reports.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor 0s Degree from a four-year college or university in governmental or management accounting, business, or finance with 5 to 7 years of experience in public finance administration including some supervisory experience; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• CPA, Certificate as a Finance Officer, or Master 0s in Business or Public Administration, preferred.
• Preference given to candidates that are bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Must be bondable.