City Controller

City of Norfolk, VA; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Pension plan

Paid holidays

Life insurance

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

The City of Norfolk, VA is seeking a senior finance leader to oversee accounting, auditing, and financial reporting for the Department of Finance. You will lead a team of managers, ensure GAAP/GASB compliance, and coordinate external audits to safeguard the city’s financial integrity.

This role requires strong supervisory experience in government accounting, a background in financial system management, and the ability to drive continuous improvement across the financial reporting function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in government or fund accounting.
• Minimum 5 years of direct supervisory experience managing municipal finance operations.
• CPA or CPFO preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs all City accounting, auditing, and financial reporting functions, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
• Manages Senior Accounting Managers to balance workloads and optimize performance.
• Evaluates division processes to drive efficient workflows and continuous improvement.
• Mentors senior staff through training and oversight of independent projects.
• Oversees coordination of the annual external audit process.
• Ensures GAAP compliance and adherence to GASB standards.
• Reviews financial documents and reports for accuracy.
• Oversees financial reporting for all city grants and funded programs.

Skills

GAAP

Financial reporting

Strategic leadership

Team management

Auditing

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Master's degree preferred

CPA or CPFO preferred

Tools

Financial systems

Job description

Description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

The Department of Finance provides centralized structure and support for the City of Norfolk’s financial operations, including financial reporting; debt and cash management; payroll; procurement; risk management; financial system administration and support; accounts payable; collections; retirement and parking financial operations. Finance’s Financial Reporting division oversees the City’s annual external audit, prepares the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and ensures the integrity of the general ledger, while collaborating with every department to provide expert guidance. We foster a culture of hard work, camaraderie, and care for our people — making Finance an excellent place to build a career.

The City Controller oversees the Financial Accounting and Reporting division within the Department of Finance, ensuring adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. The role offers robust resources, training, and support, requires independent work with regular management updates, and expects proactive improvement initiatives with management buy-in and implementation. Overtime may be necessary during peak periods and to meet federal and state deadlines; while we strive to minimize extra hours and build a strong Financial Reporting team, fulfilling essential City obligations remains our top priority.

Essential Functions

• Directs all City accounting, auditing, and financial reporting functions, with a focus on accuracy and transparency.


• Manages Senior Accounting Managers to maintain balanced workloads and optimize team performance.


• Evaluates division processes to implement efficient workflows and drive continuous improvement.


• Mentors senior staff through structured training and oversight of independent projects.


• Establishes division goals aligned with broader City strategic initiatives.


• Leads coordination of the annual external audit process.


• Ensures Citywide compliance with GAAP and government accounting standards set by the GASB.


• Reviews and ensures the accuracy of financial documents and reports.


• Oversees financial reporting for all federal, state, and local grant awards.


• Assists in providing Citywide oversight of fiscal processes and the monitoring of internal controls.


• Develops internal controls, guidelines, and procedures for regulatory activities like cash management and accounting.


• Offers executive recommendations to enhance financial practices, regulatory compliance, and policy controls.


• Reviews financial software and system capabilities to maximize efficient use of financial resources.

Education / Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.


• Master’s degree preferred.


• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in government or fund accounting.


• Minimum 5 years of direct supervisory experience managing municipal finance operations.

Additional Information & Requirements

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) preferred.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Signing Bonus

• This position is eligible for a $5,000 signing bonus.


• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.


• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.


• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

Tuition Assistance Program

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

Note

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of \"Non-City\" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.