Finance Director

Montgomery County Association of Township Officials; Bridgeport (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision package

Paid time off and holidays

Defined pension plan and voluntary 457

Opportunities for professional develop

Job summary

Montgomery County Association of Township Officials is seeking an executive-level financial administrator to assist the Borough Manager with direction, administration, and coordination of municipal operations, focusing on financial management and HR functions.

The role covers accounting, payroll, tax administration, pension funds, procurement, and financial reporting, plus benefits and insurance management, with additional duties as assigned by the Borough Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, public or business administration; CPFO/CPA/MPA preferred.
• 3–5 years municipal administration with fiscal/budget duties; supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of public finance, GASB, payroll, accounts payable, and reporting systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Review, implement, and control fiscal policies for municipal government.
• Prepare and analyze financial reports and budgets.
• Maintain relationships with public officials, employees, and outside partners; protect confidentiality.
• Oversee payroll, AP/AR, and municipal accounting records; grants and escrow.
• Serve as liaison to boards and participate in collective bargaining research.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, public or business administration

CPFO/CPA/MPA preferred

Tools

Accounting software

Payroll software

Job description

Department: Administration

Job Category: Exempt

Job Objective:

Assists Borough Manager with the direction, administration, and coordination of selected Borough operations as assigned by the Borough Manager.

General Definition:

This executive position is responsible for aiding the Borough Manager by overseeing all municipal financial operations, including accounting, payroll, tax administration, pension fund management, procurement, and financial reporting. Additionally, this position will also play a crucial role in HR administrative functions, including benefit administration and insurance policy and claims management. While this position’s responsibilities will deal heavily with the borough’s financial administration, there will be other duties assigned by the Borough Manager.

Work requires the exercise of independent judgment and the application of considerable knowledge of municipal organization and programs in meeting a wide variety of work problems involving continual public, inter-governmental and inter-departmental relations. Work includes a wide variety of tasks designed to assist the Borough Manager by the review of materials, assembly of information and transmittal and interpretation of management actions. Assignments may be received in the form of specific or general outlines of desired results and the employee will be expected to develop methods and routines designed to accomplish these assignments.

Supervision:

This position will report directly to the Borough Manager, who will provide guidance and direction.

Work Schedule:

The normal office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm for a total of 35 hours per week. However, this is a salaried position, meaning that there is an expectation that this position will work additional hours in order to complete necessary goals and objectives, as well as attend various board and special meetings monthly.

Essential Job Functions (these examples may not include the entire list of required duties):

• Assist Borough Manager in the review, implementation, and control of fiscal and accounting policy, rules and procedures regarding the administration of municipal government.
• Conduct research and studies and generate reports with recommended solutions and courses of action.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships by meeting with the public, elected officials, Borough employees, governmental units, and non-governmental organizations; always mindful of the need to maintain confidentiality.
• Serve as the primary financial administrator of the Borough, with specific tasks including:
  • Employee payroll administration.
  • Accounts payable/receivable and maintaining vendor files.
  • Management of municipal accounting records and software.
  • Monthly financial reports.
  • Bank reconciliations.
  • Special annual financial reporting, such as AG-385, PURTA and Liquid Fuels.
  • Budget research & development.
  • Employee benefits, including health insurance and pension funds.
  • Property damage and worker’s compensation insurance claims.
  • Manage developer escrow accounts.
  • Primary liaison to municipal financial professionals, such as actuary and auditor.
• Serve as tertiary support for clerical duties, including occasional tasks such as:
  • Assisting with front desk.
  • Answering phone calls.
  • Permit application and fee intake.
• Serve as liaison to various boards and commissions within the Borough such as, but not limited to Borough Council and the Pension Advisory Committee.
• Participate in collective bargaining process; compile necessary research on provisions being negotiated.

Essential Knowledge and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the organizations and functions of municipal government.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices and equipment of modern governmental financial administration and accounting.
• Thorough knowledge of current developments and trends in municipal management and inter-governmental relations.
• The ability to communicate and to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• The ability to make public presentations and speak publicly.
• The ability to research, write and edit statistical, financial, and information.
• The ability to maintain effective relationships with the public, elected officials, employees, news media and civic and business organizations.
• The ability to exercise good judgment and tact in receiving office callers and in settling problems.
• The ability to deal with uncooperative and hostile individuals in a professional manner.
• The ability to read and interpret complex financial and statistical information, Borough ordinances and policies.

Physical Demands:

• The ability to sit, handle office implements frequently; repetitive fine manipulation.
• The ability to drive automotive equipment occasionally and have a valid driver’s license.
• The ability to withstand exposure to weather occasionally.
• The ability to sit at a desk or table for long periods of time.
• The ability to use hands to finger, handle or feel.
• The ability to climb or balance.
• The ability to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• The ability to reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifting light objects (less than 25 pounds).

Minimum Education, Training and Experience Required:

Candidates must possess, at a minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree in finance, accounting, public or business administration – CPFO, CPA, or MPA preferred but not required; 3-5 years of municipal administration experience involving fiscal and budgetary activities in a governmental operation or non-profit organization with supervisory duties; and knowledge of public finance and fiscal planning, organization and functions of municipal government, payroll and accounts payable functions, budgetary and accounting and reporting systems along with GASB knowledge. Candidates should also possess knowledge and experience of other aspects of municipal management, such as grant administration, escrow management, and employee benefits. Candidates must possess excellent oral and written communication skills. Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Benefits:

• Salary Range: $100,000-120,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
• A robust health, dental and vision package, with a co-pay and Rx reimbursement program.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Defined Compensation Pension Plan and voluntary 457(b) retirement plan.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.

The Borough of Bridgeport is an Equal Opportunity Employer.