Finance Director

TOWN OF AHOSKIE; Ahoskie (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Ahoskie is seeking an experienced accounting professional to organize and participate in municipal financial activities, including disbursement, bank reconciliations, budgeting, and grant reporting.

Responsibilities include supervising utility billing staff, maintaining financial records, and assisting the Town Manager with budget preparation and monitoring.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in accounting or related field required.
• Considerable experience in accounting or public finance administration; supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Organizes and participates in the operations of the Finance Office, including disbursement and accounting of municipal funds, cash collections, bank reconciliation, debt service obligations, investments, grants reporting, assisting Town Manager in budget preparation and monitoring.
• Oversees staff involved in utility billing and collections; acts as back-up when needed.
• Reconciles bank statements to the general ledger including payroll, tax accounts, and accounts payable/receivable; allocates costs to appropriate accounts.
• Prepares financial reports and analyses for the Council and state/federal agencies; assists auditors during annual audits.
• Develops procedures for Town financial operations and maintains project records; assists with annual financial reporting for Tourism Development Authority.

Skills

Public accounting

Financial analysis

Budget monitoring

Education

Associate’s degree in accounting or related field

Tools

Spreadsheets

Accounting software

Utility billing software

General ledger software

Job description

General Statement of Duties

Performs technical and professional duties in organizing and participating in the accounting and financial activities of the Town.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class performs responsible accounting functions and financial activities for the Town. Work include accounts receivables and payables, bank reconciliations, financial reporting, supervision and participation in utility billing and collections, and assisting the Town Manager in developing the budget and monitoring expenditures and budget amendments. Work also includes handling special grant and loan arrangements and assisting the auditors in the annual audit. Work involves researching and applying accounting and other administrative procedures to the review and processing of financial documents and coordinating the fiscal control system. Work is performed in accordance with established municipal finance procedures, local ordinances, and North Carolina General Statutes governing the responsibilities of local government financial operations. Work includes using automated systems to prepare reports, conduct financial analysis, prepare journal entries and manage the utility billing and collections process. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Town Manager and is evaluated through conferences, accuracy and completeness of records and reports, and the independent audit of financial records.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

Organizes and participates in the operations of the Finance Office, including disbursement and accounting of municipal funds, cash collections, bank reconciliation, debt service obligations, investments, grants reporting, assisting Town Manager in budget preparation and monitoring

Oversees staff involved in utility billing and collections; participates in the work as back-up. Post daily transaction, journal entries, budget amendments, deposits, and bank drafts.

Reconciles bank statements to the general ledger including payroll accounts, tax accounts, and accounts payable/receivable; calculates and distributes various costs to a variety of accounts and line items.

Prepares a variety of financial reports and analyses related to accounts, funds, and costs; prepares various reports required by the State and federal agencies and other agencies; assist in preparation of financial reports for the Council.

Performs research and analysis of trends and other issues; uses spreadsheet applications to manipulate data.

Assists Town Manager in monitoring expenditures, approving purchase orders and creating budget amendments.

Maintains records for special projects; prepares annual financial reports for Tourism Development Authority.

Assist auditors during the annual audit of Town financial records; follows up on findings to improve financial systems.

Develops procedures for Town financial operations.

Additional Job Duties

Performs special projects for the Town Manager. Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of public accounting principles, practices, procedures, and systems.

Considerable knowledge of the fiscal policies and statutory requirements governing Town funds including State and Town laws, Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements and North Carolina General Statutes.

Considerable knowledge of the organization and functions of the Town government and the financial issues that impact them.

Knowledge of computer operations including spreadsheets and applications related to accounting and financial reporting, and special software systems used for utility billing and collections.

Knowledge of the Town’s budgeting and purchasing policies and procedures. Skill in collaborative conflict resolution.

Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff in utility billing and collections activities.

Ability to prepare analytical or interpretative financial statements, and to prepare clear and concise financial reports.

Ability to make arithmetic computations accurate and with reasonable speed.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, departmental heads, governmental officials, and other Town employees.

Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.

Ability to perform work with accuracy and thoroughness in the analysis and preparation of financial records and report

Ability to verify accounting and other financial documents and forms for accuracy and completeness.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to physically perform the life support functions of balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, fingering, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and statistics, operate a computer terminal, perform accounting duties, and do extensive reading.

Desirable Education and Experience

Associate’s degree in accounting or related field and considerable experience in accounting or public finance administration, preferably including some supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements Ability to be bonded.