Finance Director

City of Fountain Valley; California (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4/10 schedule

CalPERS retirement

Medical plans

Life insurance

Deferred compensation 457(b) or 401(a)

Long-term disability insurance

Leave accruals

Wellness reimbursement

Retiree Health Savings Account

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The City of Fountain Valley is seeking a Finance Director to lead the finance team and shape the city’s financial strategy. You will oversee budgeting, accounting, payroll, procurement, revenue collection, and audits to support a strong fiscal foundation.

Reporting to the City Manager, you will partner with elected officials and senior staff, evaluate capital financing, and mentor twelve finance professionals to uphold transparency and ethical governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university with major coursework in finance, accounting, business, public administration, or a related field.
• Seven years of increasingly responsible professional experience in governmental finance including at least four years in a management/supervisory capacity.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial planning and financial strategy.
• Lead budget development and administration.
• Manage accounting and financial reporting.
• Oversee payroll administration.
• Supervise purchasing and procurement.
• Direct revenue collection and utility billing.
• Coordinate annual audits and internal controls.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Collaborative leadership

Effective communication

Problem solving

Integrity

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/public administration

Master's degree desirable

Job description

Great communities don't happen by chance - they're built on thoughtful leadership, sound financial stewardship, and a commitment to public service. The City of Fountain Valley is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking Finance Director to join our Executive Management Team. Reporting directly to the City Manager, this is a unique opportunity to help guide the strategic direction of an award-winning organization while overseeing the financial operations that keep our City strong, stable, and prepared for the future.

This is more than a finance position. It is an opportunity to influence policy, partner with executive leadership, advise elected officials, and lead an exceptional team dedicated to serving a community of nearly 60,000 residents.

Known as "A Nice Place to Live," Fountain Valley is a financially sound, full-service city nestled in the heart of Orange County, California. The City of Fountain Valley is only a few miles from the beach with a variety of premier restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping centers, and Disneyland within a 15-mile radius of the City. The City is recognized for its outstanding quality of life, beautiful parks, excellent public safety services, and strong sense of community. Our organization values innovation, transparency, and customer service. We empower leaders who are willing to think strategically, build relationships, solve complex challenges, and continuously improve how we serve our residents and businesses.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As Finance Director, you will serve as one of the City’s key executive leaders, providing strategic financial leadership across the organization and helping position Fountain Valley for continued fiscal strength and long‑term sustainability. This is an especially exciting time to join the City. Fountain Valley is investing in its future through significant capital improvement projects, including the development of a new fire station. The Finance Director will play a critical leadership role in evaluating financing strategies, developing long‑term financial plans, and helping the City successfully navigate the complexities of funding major capital investments.

The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated experience with municipal debt financing and the issuance of bonds to support capital improvement projects. The ability to evaluate financing alternatives, work effectively with financial advisors and bond professionals, communicate complex financial concepts to decision‑makers, and ensure that debt strategies align with the City’s long‑term financial objectives will be highly valued.

You’ll oversee a talented department of twelve professionals, including an Accounting Manager and Finance Manager, while guiding every aspect of the City’s financial operations, including:

• Financial planning and financial strategy
• Budget development and administration
• Accounting and financial reporting
• Payroll administration
• Purchasing and procurement
• Revenue collection and utility billing
• Annual audits and internal controls
• Business licensing
• Investment and cash management
• Financial policy development and implementation

Beyond technical expertise, the Finance Director will serve as a trusted advisor to the City Manager, City Council, executive leadership team, finance committees, advisory bodies, and community stakeholders. Success in this role will depend not only on financial acumen, but on the ability to build trust, foster transparency, and develop strong working relationships with people who have diverse perspectives and interests.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• A strategic thinker who sees the big picture while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• An approachable and collaborative leader who builds trust throughout the organization.
• An innovative problem solver who embraces continuous improvement and modern business practices.
• A confident communicator who can translate complex financial information into meaningful guidance for diverse audiences.
• A mentor who develops employees, builds high‑performing teams, and promotes accountability through positive leadership.
• A professional with unquestioned integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to ethical public service

EXCELLENT BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• 4/10 schedule (off Fridays)
• CalPERS retirement (2%@60 for Classic or 2%@62 for PEPRA)
• Choice of CalPERS medical HMO and PPO plans. Choice of DHMO or DPPO dental plans. Medical and dental premiums for employee and eligible dependents are paid by the City.
• Other benefits include $100,000 life insurance policy (mandatory), vision and optional AFLAC insurance.
• Matching deferred compensation 457(b) or 401(a) contribution up to $500 per month.
• City‑paid long‑term disability insurance
• Generous leave accruals, including 108 hours for administrative leave (prorated upon hire)
• Annual wellness/fitness reimbursement of $500 per fiscal year
• Retiree Health Savings Account: Mandatory 2% employee contribution
• 11 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
• Tuition reimbursement

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university with major coursework in finance, accounting, business, public administration, or a related field. A master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE:

At least seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in governmental finance including at least four (4) years in a management/supervisory capacity. Previous experience developing and administering a City‑wide budget is highly desirable.

CERTIFICATION:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure is highly desirable.

IMPORTANT RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

The selection process will include an application and cover letter review, as well as a panel interview. The employment application and supplemental questions will be evaluated based on the employment standards and minimum qualifications listed above.

All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully completing all components of the pre‑employment process which may include but is not limited to: reference checks, background investigation, credit check, California Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprinting), and pre‑employment medical examination.

The City of Fountain Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Candidates with a disability who may need accommodations during the selection process must notify the Human Resources Department at least 72 hours in advance of the test date.

Questions regarding this recruitment should be sent to HR Manager Tamaryn Roberts at [e-mail].