Controller

Clayton County Water Authority; Morrow (GA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Clayton County Water Authority in Morrow, GA, is seeking a Controller to lead Accounting, Budgeting, Payroll and Financial Reporting functions, ensuring GAAP/GASB compliance and accurate financial information to guide decision-making.

The role partners with senior leadership to strengthen controls, drive close processes, and deliver ACFR and annual statements, while developing staff and promoting continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or closely related field required; CPA preferred.
• Eight+ years of progressively responsible accounting/financial management experience, including ACFR and GASB.
• Experience with GAAP compliance, budgeting, financial reporting and internal controls; governmental/public utility background preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting, budgeting, payroll, and financial reporting functions.
• Oversee audits, regulatory compliance, and year-end close processes.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and internal controls.
• Prepare ACFR and coordinate annual financial reporting and audit activities.
• Provide strategic leadership and staff development within the finance team.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

GASB knowledge

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Internal controls

ACFR preparation

Accounts payable

Payroll

Revenue recognition

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA license in good standing

Tools

General ledger systems

Job description

Department: Controller

Pay Grade: 118 (E)

Pay Range Min $129,342 / Mid $164,910 / Max $200,480

DEADLINE: Open Until Filled

JOB SUMMARY

The Controller provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Accounting, Budget, Payroll and Financial Reporting functions, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance of financial operations. Serving as a key strategic partner to senior leadership, the Controller oversees accounting operations, budgeting processes, financial reporting and related systems and internal controls.

The Controller leads the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), supports the annual budget process, and ensures compliance with applicable accounting standards, laws, regulations, reporting requirements, and organizational policies. The position collaborates across the organization to strengthen financial and business processes, systems, and controls while identifying opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and financial accountability.

The Controller also provides day-to-day leadership of assigned financial operations and staff, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional development, and continuous improvement while ensuring the organization maintains effective financial practices and reliable financial information to support informed decision-making.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Accounting/ Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead all aspects of general accounting functions including General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Budgeting and Financial Reporting.
• Oversee the management of all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP and GASB standards and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain robust financial controls and guidelines to protect CCWA’s assets and ensure accurate reporting.
• Provide support in complicated revenue recognition and reconciliation processes/systems.
• Oversee the review and reconciliation of AR general ledger balance to Customer Information System
• Oversee the management of all payroll and accounts payable transactions, ensuring timely processing of invoices and payments, drive efficiency through innovative process improvements.
• Implement and manage a comprehensive month-end close process, ensuring accurate and timely completion of all closing schedules.
• Identify opportunities to improve internal accounting processes; propose and implement solutions.
• Provide oversight into budget development, variance analysis, and financial projections
• Oversee the coordination of CCWA’s annual audit.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Develop financial reports and analyses, including forecasting, trending and results analysis: coordinates and assembles information for the annual audit and comprehensive annual financial report (ACFR); and coordinates all audit activities.
• Ensure developed financial reports are in accordance with US GAAP and report on financial statements variances and trends within timelines provided by CFO.
• Prepare accurate quarterly and annual financial reporting packages with narratives, and statistical reports within timelines provided by CFO.
• Provide insightful information and expectations to the executive team for decision-making and strategic planning.

Governance/Accounting Policies and Procedures

• Document and maintain a system of accounting policies and procedures, both GAAP and GASB.
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP and GASB, including revenue recognition rules.
• Implement consistent accounting policies, practices and procedures across all programs, upholding federal, state and local legal standards by remaining knowledgeable about existing, new, and future legislation.

Governance/Audit

• Comply with federal, state, and local financial requirements by studying existing and new legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, and advising management on actions as necessary.
• Maintain financial security by enforcing necessary internal controls to maximize protection of Authority assets, policies, procedures and workflow.
• Coordinate with external auditors to ensure timely and accurate annual audits, makes recommendations on findings.
• Oversee Prepare by Client (Audit Binder) lists with the support of accounting team.
• Oversee and manage annual financial statement audit and audit of internal controls by both external and internal audit teams, directing/supporting External/Internal audit management, direction, communications, review, schedules, and analysis.

People/Performance Management

• Build, lead, support, and develop a high-performing team to achieve departmental and organizational goals. Ensure team members consistently demonstrate the organization’s Levels of Service core competencies and Finance functional competencies essential to successful individual and team performance. Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable work environment that promotes employee engagement and professional growth. Utilize the performance management process on an ongoing basis to establish clear expectations, provide meaningful feedback and coaching, recognize performance, address development needs, and support the continued growth of assigned team members.
• Leverage the strengths and expertise of Finance team members by establishing clear roles and responsibilities and developing and implementing targeted training and development opportunities to enhance individual performance, strengthen team capabilities, and achieve departmental and organizational goals.
• Organize, prioritize, and assign work; prioritizes and schedules work activities in order to meet objectives; ensures that subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex/problem situations and provide technical expertise; provides progress and activity reports to management; and assists with the revision of procedure manuals as appropriate.
• Manage, direct, and evaluate assigned staff; develops and oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; compiles and reviews timesheets; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; directs work; acts as a liaison between employees and management; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in setting goals and objectives for and the development of the annual operating and capital budget for the Finance Department.
• Oversee and supports team with leadership that creates an environment of trust and productivity.
• Coordinates year-end and new-year preparation. Responsibilities include overseeing and scheduling the closure of the City general ledger and its subsystems, ensuring that all funds and interfund accounts are in balance, reviewing and authorizing all year-end journal entries, preparing and rolling over prior year encumbrances, reviewing and authorizing new-year reversing entries, and reviewing the budget entries for the new budget year.

Financial Leadership & Collaborative Business Partnership

• Provide financial leadership and strategic support to the CFO, Executive Team, and departmental leaders, promoting sound financial stewardship, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a trusted financial resource and strategic business partner to the CFO, providing financial analysis, insight, and recommendations to support informed decision-making and organizational priorities.
• Contribute to the development and execution of short- and long-term financial and operational strategies that support the organization’s strategic objectives, operational effectiveness, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with department leaders to evaluate, challenge, and optimize accounting and financial processes, systems, and internal controls to ensure the completeness, accuracy, reliability, and timely availability of financial information.
• Partner with the Budget and Financial Reporting function to develop financial projections and budgets, analyze actual performance against budget, identify significant trends and variances, and provide actionable financial insights.
• Collaborate with the CFO to develop, monitor, and evaluate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Finance and other organizational functions to strengthen performance measurement measurement and data-informed decision-making.
• Lead and support special projects and cross-functional initiatives, coordinating with departments and key stakeholders to achieve established objectives and organizational priorities.
• Ensure financial and operational documentation is accurately and timely processed in accordance with established policies, procedures, internal controls, and applicable regulatory requirments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field, and eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional accounting and financial management experience, including comprehensive experience in general accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, financial analysis, and internal controls. Experience must include preparing or overseeing an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and applying Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, with three (3) years of management or supervisory experience. Experience within a governmental entity, public utility, water/wastewater utility, or other complex public-sector organization is preferred.
• Must demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the position and to learn, interpret, and consistently apply CCWA and departmental policies, procedures, practices, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Specific License or Certification (Required)

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in active/good standing.

Specific License or Certification (Preferred)

One or more of the following credentials are preferred:

• Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) – Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) – Association of Government Accountants (AGA)
• Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) or comparable state/local government finance credential
• Relevant governmental finance certification or professional developmentcredential through the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government
• Other advanced certification in governmental accounting, public finance, financial management, or a closely related discipline

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Tasks may involve some pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight; tasks may also involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shadesof colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
• Work is performed in a safe and secure work environment that may periodically have unpredictable requirements or demands.

At CCWA, it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees, including temporary employees, and applicants for employment based on qualifications, abilities, and merit. Therefore, CCWA prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants or any other legally covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression), citizenship, genetic information, disability status, past, current, or prospective membership in the uniformed services or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to job advertisements, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.

Clayton County Water Authority has the right to revise this position description at any time and does not represent in any way a contract of employment.