Finance Director

City of Lynnwood, WA; Lynnwood (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lynnwood seeks an exceptional Finance Director to provide strategic financial leadership and guidance for the City’s budget, accounting, and financial reporting. This executive will build trusted partnerships across departments, uphold integrity, and drive financial stewardship and service excellence for the community.

The role directs the Finance Department, oversees budgeting, investment management, cash flow, and debt issuance, and leads staff through performance and development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance or related field (+ years governmental experience).
• CPA or MPA preferred or relevant master’s degree.
• Must be bondable and pass background check prior to council confirmation.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct the finance, budget, and accounting staff.
• Provide budget preparation guidance to the Mayor and Departments.
• Oversee monthly financial reports to Mayor and Council.
• Ensure review of financial transactions and compliance with laws and procedures.
• Manage ACFR development and city investment portfolio.
• Lead long-range financial planning and debt issuance processes.
• Direct accounting and purchasing functions; supervise staff; conduct evaluations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Public finance

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Communication

Team leadership

Integrity

Education

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

CPA/MPA preferred

Job description

The City of Lynnwood is seeking an exceptional Finance Director to provide strategic financial leadership and help shape the City's future. We are looking for a resilient, collaborative executive who leads with integrity, inspires high-performing teams, and brings the judgment and problem-solving skills needed to navigate complex challenges. This leader will build trusted partnerships across the organization while advancing financial stewardship, organizational excellence, and exceptional service to our community.

The Finance Director plans, organizes, directs, and manages all activities of the Finance Department in accordance with state law, federal law, and the City of Lynnwood Municipal Code (Title 2.12). This position develops, implements, and operates processes and systems as necessary to facilitate the effective operation of the accounting, budget development and management, finance, investment, payroll, utility billing, purchasing, financial reporting and City Treasurer functions. The Finance Director coordinates and guides city-wide strategic processes based on present and future service demands including budget development, investment management, financial analysis and reporting, revenue forecasting, multi-year financial planning and the collection of special assessments and service charges. In partnership with the Mayor’s Office and Human Resources, this position is responsible for ensuring that all employees are properly trained in the effective, compliant and efficient utilization of city funds.

Finance Director Brochure

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Plan, organize, and direct the finance, budget, and accounting staff of the City.
• Provide principal assistance to the Mayor in the preparation of the biennial budget and provide ongoing advice to Department Directors on budget/financial management.
• Oversee the development and distribution of monthly financial reports to the Mayor and Council.
• Ensure the proper review of all financial transactions, manage the expenditure of appropriated funds in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and enforce compliance with standard accounting systems and fiscal procedures.
• Prepare reports and accounts as required by the State Auditor, Mayor and Council.
• Manage the development of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Manage the City's cash and investment portfolio to achieve the highest reasonable rate of return on the City's investments.
• Participate in and provide leadership for long range, strategic planning activities.Prepare and recommend objectives, methodologies, and associated schedules.
• Oversee the central accounting and project accounting activities, which includes the preparation of various quarterly and annual financial reports.
• Estimate revenues and tax yields for submission to the City Council.
• Manage all elements of the long-term debt issuance process for the City.
• Provide overall direction for accounting and purchasing functions.
• Conduct job interviews. Select, orient and train new employees.
• Prepare and conduct oral and written employee performance evaluations.Recognize superior job performance.Coach staff to meet performance goals.
• Ensure appropriate training, supervision, and development for department staff.
• Maintain regular attendance.

Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or other related field plus ten (10) years professional, governmental work experience, including supervisory experience or equivalent combination of related education and experience. CPA/MPA preferred or a Master's degree in an appropriate discipline is desirable. Must be bondable. Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive pre-employment background check prior to council confirmation. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functionals areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

Job Location and Equipment Utilized

Work is performed in an office environment at Lynnwood City Hall. Equipment utilized includes standard office equipment and personal computer with associated software and peripherals.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of modern principles and practices of public finance administration with particular reference to budgeting, accounting, fiscal administration, and financial forecasting.
• Knowledge of charter provisions, ordinances, state laws and other policies governing the financial administration of city government.
• Knowledge of the functions, organization, staffing and operating procedures of the various City departments.
• Ability to think strategically and lead effectively under pressure.
• Knowledge of executive office operations and executive leadership principles.
• Skilled in leading ethically, transparently and honestly while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and tact.
• Skilled in managing sensitive, confidential, and politically sensitive communications with professionalism, discretion, sound judgment, and tact.
• Ability to commit to leading with high integrity in a critical public service role.
• Ability to develop and maintain sound city-wide data processing systems and procedures that comply with all laws and policies governing financial reporting.
• Ability to develop reasonable and accurate budgets and forecast revenues.
• Ability to plan, assign and direct the work of administrative, professional, and technical subordinates in a manner conducive to effective work performance and positive morale.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and government accounting and financial reporting (GASB) standards.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to read written and numerical materials.
• Ability to effectively exchange information and make presentations.
• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods of time.
• Ability to use a personal computer and other standard office equipment.

FLSA Status: Overtime Exempt

Bargaining Unit:General Salary Ordinance (GSO)