Controller

City of Punta Gorda; Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Punta Gorda is seeking an experienced finance leader to oversee the Finance Department, including ACFR and AFR preparation, annual budget development, and grant management. You will coordinate with staff, auditors, and city officials to ensure accurate reporting, fiscal integrity, and compliance.

The role requires strong supervision, strategic financial planning, and expert knowledge of GASB and government accounting.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of municipal financial management, accounting and budgeting theory and practice.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public finance, budgeting, accounting, and debt management.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of computerized financial information management.
• Knowledge of economic trend forecasting and analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of special requirements pertaining to accounting and investment of government funds.
• Knowledge of government auditing procedures.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, city ordinances, and department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of, and skill in, utilizing financial computer software programs.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, objectives, and methods of municipal finance, accounting, and budget preparation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the preparation of the annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) with the Finance Manager of Accounting and coordinate with staff and auditors.
• Oversee the filing of the Annual Financial Report (AFR).
• Oversee the preparation of the annual City budget document and related activities, including department reviews, revenue projections, and communications with officials.
• Approve budget amendments, cash receipts, and journal entries.
• Provide information and respond to inquiries from the public, media, officials, and staff as needed.
• Oversee daily finance department operations: AR, AP, banking, investments, payroll, internal controls, and fixed assets.
• Oversee pensions and annual reporting (e.g., W-2s, 1099s) and grant management with risk assessments and compliance.
• Supervise, train, and develop staff; assist in policy/document updates; seek efficiency improvements.

Skills

Municipal finance

Budgeting

GASB standards

Auditing procedures

Public administration

Financial software

Supervision

Communication skills

Policy development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or related field

Five (5) years of related experience

Job description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned as dictated by operational necessity.

• Oversees the preparation of the annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) with help from the Finance Manager of Accounting. May include review of accounts, preparing year end journal entries, GASB accounting standards, working closely with auditors and directing staff or department/divisions in pulling together required documentation and compiling the document.


• Completes the State’s filing of the Annual Financial Report (AFR).


• Oversees the preparation of the annual City budget document by the Finance Manager of Budgets and Grants. May include but not limited to review of department budget submittals, revenue projections, trend analysis, communications with departments’ staff, meetings with the City Manager and City Council, preparation of transmittal letters, proposed budget and millage advertisements, TRIM compliance, presentations at public meetings, and publication and distribution of the adopted budget.


• Oversees and approves budget amendments, cash receipts, and journal entries.


• Provides information; responds to inquiries and questions from the public, the news media, elected officials, senior management, other government entities, and other employees as needed or directed by Finance Director.


• Oversees daily operations of the finance department including accounts receivables, accounts payables, banking and investments, financing, payroll, internal controls and fixed assets.


• Oversee other annual reporting such as pensions, transportation report, W-2’s, 1099’s, etc.


• Works with grants management team to ensure that key processes and systems are in place to manage grant risk assessments, financial compliance, and reporting management processes. Assist with Single Audit reporting.


• Communicates clear direction, manages for results and leads organizational change.


• Monitors purchases to ensure compliance with the budget.


• May Prepare or oversee financial analyses in support of management initiatives and union negotiations.


• Supervises, trains, and develops staff.


• Assist Finance Director in establishing and updating documented policies and procedures.


• Seeks new ways to improve efficiency and increase fiscal strength to the city.


• Makes recommendations for business practices to enhance revenues or reduce expenditures.


• Assists Finance Director in meeting the City and departmental goals.


• Serves as Finance Director in the absence of the Finance Director, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of municipal financial management, accounting and budgeting theory and practice.


• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public finance, budgeting, accounting, and debt management.


• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.


• Knowledge of the principles and practices of computerized financial information management.


• Knowledge of economic trend forecasting and analysis techniques.


• Knowledge of special requirements pertaining to accounting and investment of government funds.


• Knowledge of government auditing procedures.


• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, city ordinances, and department policies and procedures.


• Knowledge of, and skill in, utilizing financial computer software programs.


• Knowledge of principles, practices, objectives, and methods of municipal finance, accounting, and budget preparation.


• Current supervision and management techniques.


• Skill in operating office equipment such as a computer and calculator.


• Skill in oral and written communication.


• Ability to perform a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others.


• Ability to communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients, and the public in a one-to-one or group setting.


• Ability to produce written documents in the English language with clearly-organized thoughts with proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.


• Ability to analyze, interpret, and report research findings, recommend and take appropriate action.


• Ability to prepare difficult and complex financial and administrative reports.


• Ability to perform financial investment analysis.


• Ability to work cooperatively with others.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or related field required


• Five (5) years of related experience required, preferably in governmental accounting.

Certificates and Licenses

• CPA/MBA/or CGFO certification highly desirable, but not required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Exercises direct supervisory authority over Finance Managers, accountants, and clerks in the Department.


• May occasionally be required to act as Finance Director as circumstances require.

Essential Physical Abilities

Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time

Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time

Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time

N/A = Not applicable

• Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over) – Constant: X


• Moderate lifting (15 to 44 lbs.) – Constant: X


• Light lifting (under 15 lbs.) – Constant: X


• Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over) – Constant: X


• Moderate carrying (14 to 44 lbs.) – Constant: X


• Light carrying (under 15 lbs.) – Constant: X


• Reaching above shoulder – Constant: X


• Use of fingers – Constant: X


• Both hands required – Constant: X


• Climbing (use of legs and arms) – Constant: X


• Climbing (legs only) – Constant: X


• Good near vision – Constant: X


• Good distant vision – Constant: X


• Both eyes required – Constant: X


• Depth perception – Constant: X


• Distinguishing basic colors – Constant: X


• Distinguishing shades of colors – Constant: X


• Good hearing (with or without hearing aid) – Constant: X


• Straight pulling – Constant: X


• Pulling hand over hand – Constant: X


• Pushing – Constant: X


• Walking – Constant: X


• Standing – Constant: X


• Crawling – Constant: X


• Kneeling – Constant: X


• Bending – Constant: X


• Balancing – Constant: X


• Stooping – Constant: X


• Jumping – Constant: X


• Running – Constant: X


• Throwing – Constant: X


• Driving (cars, small vans, pick-ups, etc.) – Constant: X


• Driving & operating (heavy equip., trucks, etc.) – Constant: X

Environmental Conditions

Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time

Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time

Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time

N/A = Not applicable

• Work Inside – Constant: X


• Work Outside – Constant: X


• In the Heat – Constant: X


• In the Cold – Constant: X


• In High Humidity – Constant: X


• In Dampness or Chilliness – Constant: X


• In Dry Conditions – Constant: X


• In or with Noisy Conditions – Constant: X


• In Darkness – Constant: X


• In or with Dusty Conditions – Constant: X


• With Silica, Asbestos, etc. – Constant: X


• With Fumes or Gases – Constant: X


• With Smoke or Flames – Constant: X


• With Chemicals – Constant: X


• With Solvents – Constant: X


• With Grease or Oils – Constant: X


• With Radiant Energy – Constant: X


• With Electrical Energy – Constant: X


• On Slippery Surfaces – Constant: X


• On Uneven Surfaces – Constant: X


• In or With Moving Objects – Constant: X


• In or With Ladders/Scaffolding – Constant: X


• At Heights above Ground Level – Constant: X


• Below Ground Level – Constant: X


• In Water – Constant: X


• With Explosives – Constant: X


• With Poor Ventilation – Constant: X


• With Odors – Constant: X


• With Unusual Fatigue Factors – Constant: X

Disclaimers

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Individuals who cannot perform some of the requirements because they pose health or safety risks to themselves or other employees may be excluded from this position. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by this supervisor. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

It is the policy of the City of Punta Gorda to recognize and fulfill its commitment to the community in the area of Equal Employment Opportunity. The City will not knowingly permit discrimination in hiring, promotion, or other conditions of employment with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATEMENT

Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event. All employees may be subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

Disclaimer: The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, environmental conditions, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Certain Service Members and Veterans, and the spouses and family members of such Service Members and Veterans, receive preference and priority, and that certain Service Members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled.