Finance Director

Wscpa Spokane Chapter; Walla Walla (WA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Orthodontia

Retirement Plan

Deferred Compensation

Vacation 20 days

Holidays 10

Floating Holidays

Sick Leave 8h/mo

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Program

Job summary

The City of Walla Walla is seeking a Finance Director to lead the Finance Department. The role requires directing budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, and utility billing while ensuring GAAP compliance and supporting city departments.

Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree in business/finance, at least five years in municipal finance with supervisory experience; a Master’s degree and CPA are preferred, with ERP experience and Spanish fluency desirable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance or related field.
• Five years of increasingly responsible financial accounting in municipal government.
• At least five years in a supervisory capacity; CPA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct Finance Department operations.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and assist with financial reporting.
• Support city departments with services and information.
• Oversee budgeting, accounting, payroll, AP/AR, and utility billing.

Skills

Financial accounting

Supervisory experience

Bilingual Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance

Master's degree preferred

CPA certification preferred

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Finance Director City of Walla Walla, Washington Salary: $153,993 - $187,356

Located in southeastern Washington at the foot of the Blue Mountains, Walla Walla is a vibrant community of approximately 35,000 residents. The community blends a rich agricultural and cultural history, and a welcoming small-city atmosphere, with outstanding dining, higher education, arts, culture, and year-round outdoor recreation.

The City of Walla Walla operates under a Council-Manager form of government and operates with a 2025-2026 biennial budget of $293,583,000 across all 37 funds, including a General Fund budget of $100,609,690. The City has 314 FTEs and hires approximately 109 temporary employees annually.

The City of Walla Walla Finance Department provides accountability for all public funds, assets, policies, and systems, and operates with 12 FTEs and a 2025-2026 biennial department budget of $5,124,876. The Finance Department’s responsibilities include accounting and reporting, preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, audit administration, payroll, project accounting, accounts payable and receivable, budget preparation and monitoring, and utility billing services, including account management, payment management, and customer service.

Under the general direction of the City Manager, the Finance Director plans, organizes, controls, and directs the Finance Department operations, including purchasing, accounts payable, budgetary and financial reporting, and utility accounting, billing and collection. The Director ensures accounting activities comply with generally accepted accounting principles and with the State of Washington’s budgeting accounting and reporting system, and supports the activities of City departments through provision of services and information.

Education & Experience

Candidates should have any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a closely related field, and five (5) years of increasingly responsible financial accounting experience in municipal government, including at least five (5) years in a supervisory capacity. A master’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a closely related field is preferred. CPA certification, or demonstrated progress toward obtaining a CPA, is also preferred. Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning software and bilingual fluency in Spanish are desirable.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, orthodontia, and vision insurance.
• Health Savings Account.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• Washington State PERS retirement plan.
• Deferred compensation options.
• 20 days of vacation annually.
• 10 paid holidays annually.
• 40 hours of floating holiday time.
• Sick leave accrual of 8 hours per month.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellness program.

The City of Walla Walla is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply by August 14, 2026.