Finance Director

City-of-Fountain-Valley,-Ca; Fountain Valley (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Wellness reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement

Holidays and leave benefits

Job summary

The City of Fountain Valley seeks an experienced Finance Director to lead the municipal finance team, shape financial strategy, and guide the city toward long-term sustainability. Reporting to the City Manager, you will oversee budgeting, accounting, audits, purchasing, revenue collection, and policy development while collaborating with executive leadership and council.

Ideal candidates will have at least seven years in governmental finance, four in management, a bachelor's degree in finance or

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, public administration or related field.
• Master's degree in a related field is highly desirable.
• CPA licensure is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial analysis

Budget development

Public finance

Communication

Team leadership

Policy development

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/accounting/public administration

Master's degree desirable

CPA licensure desirable

Job description

Lead with Integrity. Drive Financial Excellence. Shape the Future of Fountain Valley.

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.

WHY FOUNTAIN VALLEY?

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.

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

We're seeking a leader who combines financial expertise with exceptional interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate is:

• 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

The successful candidate understands that finance is more than balancing budgets- it's about enabling great government. If you're an experienced municipal finance professional who enjoys strategic leadership, values collaboration, and is excited by the opportunity to make a lasting difference, we encourage you to apply.

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.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RECRUITMENT SHOULD BE SENT TO HR MANAGER TAMARYN ROBERTS

[e-mail]

SELECTION PROCESS

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.

IMPORTANT RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

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.