Finance Administrator

City of Northampton; Northampton (MA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits consistent with the NAPEA

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

City of Northampton seeks a Finance Administrator to oversee the Department of Public Works’ financial operations, including budgets, contracts, grants, accounting and billing. The role reports to the Director and liaises with city departments and the public.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and 3–5 years of municipal or nonprofit finance experience, plus strong Excel and financial software skills. Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. with full-time hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related subject and 3–5 years of accounting/finance experience in a complex environment.
• Municipal or non-profit finance experience preferred.
• Knowledge of municipal finance laws and grant management.
• Excellent communication, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the Department’s annual operating and capital budgets with justifications for assumptions.
• Maintain the utility rate model for budgeting, forecasting and debt service considerations.
• Manage more than 100 active contracts and ensure procurement compliance and bid tracking.
• Monitor revenue sources, develop forecasting models and oversee receivables.
• Monitor budget status and variances; report to DPW leadership and divisions.
• Oversee grants and reimbursement requests; coordinate reporting to funding agencies.
• Coordinate departmental reporting per FEMA guidelines when declared.
• Review accounts payable and payroll warrants for budget impacts; assist with payroll processing.

Skills

Communication

Excel

Financial software

Data analysis

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

3-5 years accounting/finance experience

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Financial software

Job description

• Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Grade H; Hourly Rate Range: $32.92 - $42.81 (Annual: $68,486 - $89,063)

Job Description

FINANCE ADMINSTRATOR

• One (1) Full-time Vacancy
• 40 Hours per week
• Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Grade H; Hourly Rate Range: $32.92 - $42.81 (Annual: $68,486 - $89,063)

Definition

This position is responsible for managing the financial activities of the Department of Public Works, including overseeing contract management, budgets, accounting, internal auditing, grant management and utility rates and billing.

Essential Functions

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position

• Responsible for the detailed preparation of the Department’s annual operating and capital budgets; prepares justifications for budget assumptions.
• Manages and maintains the utility rate model to be used for decision making including budget forecasting, future capital needs, bonding, existing debt service and available stabilization; makes recommendations regarding utility rates.
• Manages more than 100 active contracts; prepares the contract documents where appropriate and ensures compliance with public procurement regulations including required advertising and bid tracking.
• Monitors the Department’s revenue sources, develops forecasting models and monitors receivables.
• Monitors the Department’s budget and communicates with all Department Divisions ongoing budget status and budget variances.
• Manages grants and reviews and reconciles reimbursement requests for submission to funding agencies.
• Prepares and coordinates departmental reporting, in accordance with FEMA Disaster Declaration guidelines when declared.
• Reviews Account Payable and Payroll warrants to monitor impacts on budget line items, active contracts, grants and construction projects; ensures appropriate coding for payment; oversees payroll processing if needed.
• Provides strategic financial support and analysis to the Director on all Department operations; serves as a liaison between the public and other city departments and the DPW, and facilitates clear and consistent communication.
• Understands and follows all safety regulations.
• Handles, coordinates and ensures the review of the paying of invoices.
• Performs similar or related work as required.

Supervision Received

Under general direction, employee plans and prioritizes the majority of work independently, in accordance with standard practices and previous training. Employee is expected to solve most problems of detail or unusual situations by adapting methods or interpreting instructions accordingly. Instructions for new assignments or special projects usually consist of statements of desired objectives, deadlines and priorities. Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with supervisor.

Judgement

The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices and precedents which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making.

Complexity

The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field. Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors, conditions or unusual circumstances; inspecting, testing or evaluating compliance with established standards or criteria; gathering, analyzing and evaluating facts or data using specialized fact-finding techniques; or determining the methods to accomplish the work.

Nature And Purpose Of Contacts

Relationships are primarily with co-workers incidental to the purpose of the work and involve giving and receiving factual information about the work and involving frequent explanation, discussion or interpretation of practices, Ordinary courtesy and tact are required. Contacts with the public may be required on an occasional basis.

Confidentiality

Employee has access to some confidential information in the performance of their duties.

Education And Experience

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related subject; three to five years of accounting or finance experience in a complex environment preferably involving municipal or non-profit finance; or any equivalent c combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Ability, And Skills

Knowledge: Knowledge of municipal finance laws and regulations; knowledge of grant management and compliance; knowledge of procurement laws and regulations.

Abilities: Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing; ability to proficiently use Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel and financial software; ability to analyze trends, develop methodologies and act accordingly; ability to multi-task; ability to recommend new, efficient procedures.

Skills: Mathematical skills; data analysis skills.

Work Environment

The work is most often performed in an office environment within a public works department. Work may require meetings outside of normal business hours.

Physical, Motor, And Visual Skills

Physical Skills: Administrative work is performed in an office setting requiring sitting, standing, walking and stooping. May be required to lift objects such as files, boxes of papers, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.

Motor Skills: The work may involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination.

Visual Skills: Essential position functions require the ability to routinely read materials for general understanding and the ability to view documents and spreadsheets on a computer monitor.

~ Equal Opportunity Employer ~

• Benefits consistent with the NAPEA Bargaining Unit.