Deputy Finance Officer

Town of Columbus; Columbus (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Columbus in North Carolina seeks a qualified finance professional to maintain general ledger accounts, prepare journal entries, and coordinate monthly and year-end closing activities.

You will review bank reconciliations, manage capital asset accounting, and assist with budgeting, forecasting, and grant reporting. The role requires GAAP and GASB knowledge, experience with governmental accounting, and strong internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree as specified.
• 3 years of progressively responsible accounting, auditing, budgeting, or financial management experience.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and reconciles general ledger accounts, prepares journal entries, and coordinates monthly and year-end closing activities.
• Reviews monthly bank reconciliations, investigates discrepancies, and recommends corrective actions.
• Manages capital asset accounting, including tracking, capitalization, depreciation, and reporting.
• Assists with annual budget development, expenditure monitoring, financial projections, and budget amendments.
• Prepares financial reports and analyses to support the Town Manager, Finance Director, and department heads.
• Coordinates financial accounting and reporting for grants, including expenditure tracking, reimbursement requests, matching requirements, and compliance documentation.
• Maintains financial records for capital improvement projects and coordinates with project managers, consultants, and funding agencies.
• Coordinates annual audit preparation, including financial schedules, reconciliations, auditor requests, and corrective actions.
• Serves as a primary finance liaison for grant audits, monitoring visits, and Single Audit requirements.
• Develops, evaluates, and strengthens internal controls, accounting procedures, and financial workflows.
• Ensures compliance with GAAP, GASB standards, North Carolina General Statutes, and Local Government Commission requirements.
• Completes required NC Department of Revenue sales tax entries and reconciliations.
• Prepares and processes check requests and other financial transactions in accordance with Town policies.
• Coordinates with staff responsible for accounts payable, payroll, utility billing, purchasing, and other financial functions.
• Monitors financial deadlines, identifies emerging concerns, and recommends solutions to Town leadership.
• Supports financial planning for water and wastewater utilities, capital projects, and other municipal operations.
• Assists with financial system improvements, policy development, and implementation of efficient administrative practices.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

GASB standards

Grant accounting

Internal controls

Financial reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field

Tools

General ledger system

Job description

Maintains and reconciles general ledger accounts, prepares journal entries, and coordinates monthly and year-end closing activities.

Reviews monthly bank reconciliations, investigates discrepancies, and recommends corrective actions.

Manages capital asset accounting, including tracking, capitalization, depreciation, and reporting.

Assists with annual budget development, expenditure monitoring, financial projections, and budget amendments.

Prepares financial reports and analyses to support the Town Manager, Finance Director, and department heads.

Coordinates financial accounting and reporting for federal, state, and other grants, including expenditure tracking, reimbursement requests, matching requirements, and compliance documentation.

Maintains accurate financial records for capital improvement projects and coordinates with project managers, consultants, and funding agencies.

Coordinates annual audit preparation, including financial schedules, reconciliations, auditor requests, and corrective actions.

Serves as a primary finance liaison for grant audits, monitoring visits, and Single Audit requirements.

Develops, evaluates, and strengthens internal controls, accounting procedures, and financial workflows.

Ensures compliance with GAAP, GASB standards, North Carolina General Statutes, and Local Government Commission requirements.

Completes required North Carolina Department of Revenue sales tax entries and reconciliations.

Prepares and processes check requests and other financial transactions in accordance with Town policies.

Coordinates with staff responsible for accounts payable, payroll, utility billing, purchasing, and other financial functions.

Monitors financial deadlines, identifies emerging concerns, and recommends solutions to Town leadership.

Supports financial planning for water and wastewater utilities, capital projects, and other municipal operations.

Assists with financial system improvements, policy development, and implementation of efficient administrative practices.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field.

Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional accounting, auditing, budgeting, or financial management experience.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in municipal or county government finance, particularly in North Carolina.


• Experience with governmental accounting, grants management, audits, and capital project accounting.


• Experience with enterprise funds, particularly water and wastewater utilities.


• CPA, North Carolina Certified Local Government Finance Officer (NCCLGFO), or related professional certification.