Director of Finance

Town of Hamden; Hamden (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Requirements include a BS in business/finance fields with substantial supervisory experience; CPA or MBA preferred; strong communication and data analysis skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of municipal financial administration, budgeting and purchasing.
• Experience with accounting standards, financial reporting and audits.
• Strong written and verbal communication for reports to officials and public.

Responsibilities

• Drafts/advances policy and plans for financial management goals and objectives.
• Directs finance department operations and evaluates financial programs.
• Prepares annual Town and Finance Department budgets; defends before Legislative Council.
• Oversees expenditure control within approved budgets.
• Coordinates external auditors and long-term financial planning.
• Trains staff in financial management principles and practices.

Skills

Municipal financial administration

Budget development

Financial reporting

Auditing and compliance

Investment management

Data analysis

Tax collection

Purchasing and procurement

Property assessment

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Public Finance

Master’s degree or CPA designation (substitutes for experience)

Tools

Munis (or similar financial databases)

Job description

In accordance with the Town Charter and Connecticut General Statues the Director of Finance is responsible for the financial health of the municipality. Key responsibilities include accounting, investment management, data analysis, auditing, budget development, property valuation, tax collection, risk mitigation, and procurement. The role also entails strategic planning, policy development, and supervision of the finance department and its divisions.

• Drafts and recommends policy to the Mayor and plans for the implementation of financial management goals and objectives;

• Directs the operations of the Finance Department through various divisional officers, and evaluates and administers financial management programs such as Town financial reporting, Town budgeting, data processing services, cash management, risk management, internal and external auditing, purchasing, payroll, property assessment, and tax collection.

• Directs the preparation of the annual Town budget and of the Finance Department budget, and presents and defends the budget request before the Legislative Council.

• Directs and controls the expenditure of Town and Department fund allocations within the constraints of approved budgets.

• Directs the administration of Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Compensation claims.

• Coordinates the efforts of external auditors in their review of Town financial management.

• Builds and maintain positive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including elected officials, community leaders, and residents.

• Serves on the Town Retirement Board and reports to the Finance Commission.

• Trains departmental personnel in financial management principles and practices.

• Performs related work as required.

• Thorough knowledge of municipal financial administration, including accounting, budgeting, purchasing and investing required; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration as applied to a wide range of municipal functions; thorough knowledge of the laws, regulations and standards pertaining to municipal financial management; good knowledge of municipal data processing principles and practices, especially as applied to financial management.

• Exceptional ability to articulate ideas clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing to staff, supervisors and general public. demonstrated ability to effectively manage the operations of a municipal finance department and lead a team of professionals; demonstrated ability to create and implement effective short-term and long-term plans that align with organizational goals; ability to make sound judgments and solve complex problems in a fast-paced and resource-constrained environment.

• Ability to prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; ability to critically evaluate municipal financial systems and identify areas for improvement; ability to prepare statistical as well as narrative reports; ability to apply state and federal laws, Town Ordinances, department policies, procedures, rules and regulations to determine necessary action.

• Knowledge of Munis or similar financial databases/systems preferred.

A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university in Business Administration, Accounting, Public Finance or some closely related field, and seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in financial management, including three (3) years in a supervisory capacity or any equivalent combination of education and municipal experience. A Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration or CPA designation may be substituted for two (2) years of practical experience. Experience in municipal financial management strongly preferred.