Finance Director

Gfoat; Willis (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Willis is seeking a Finance Director to lead the city's financial activities including debt management, purchasing, accounting, investments, payroll, utility billing, and municipal court.

The role requires directing accounting operations, ensuring compliance with GASB, and reporting to City leadership and Council. Strong leadership, communication, and financial planning skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Advanced ability to analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting information.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate work of staff.
• Knowledge of city, state, and federal laws governing municipal accounting and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Directs and manages departmental goals, policies, and priorities for financial services.
• Oversees general ledger accounting, payroll, accounts payable, utility billing, and municipal court.
• Maintains financial accountability and transparency to City Council and citizens.
• Manages City accounting operations, financial systems, and internal controls.
• Represents the City with external auditors, advisors, and bond counsel.
• Oversees accounts receivable/payable processes and cash handling controls.
• Advises City Manager on financial matters and investment policies.
• Leads annual financial audits and liaises with external auditors.
• Prepares financial summaries and forecasts for revenue and expenditures.

Skills

Financial analysis

Staff leadership

Budgeting

GASB compliance

Municipal accounting

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Microsoft Excel

Payroll

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Department: Administration

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Summary

Under the direction of the City Manager, the Finance Director plans, organizes, and directs the city's financial activities, including debt management, purchasing, general accounting, investments, financial planning, payroll, utility billing, and municipal court.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description, and incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

Essential Job Functions & Other Important Duties

• Directs and manages the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service and/or operational area; oversees the development and implementation of policies and plans related to departmental service and operations.
• Plans, organizes, and directs general ledger accounting, including payroll, accounts payable, utility billing, service fees, municipal court, etc.
• Ensures the highest level of financial accountability and transparency to the City Council, City management, and citizens; maintains and encourages the highest ethical standards.
• Manages and directs the administration of the City’s accounting operations, which includes the oversight of the City’s financial system, establishes and enforces financial policies, ensures adherence to Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements, and produces monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial reports
• Ensures proper internal financial controls are established and followed.
• Serves as the City’s liaison with external auditors, financial advisors, and bond counsel.
• Establishes and maintains accounts receivable processes for all receivables to the City, including the use of collection agencies, law firms, and other collection resources; manages and controls the accounts payable process for the City.
• Establishes and oversees accounting procedures and internal controls for cash receipts and disbursements.
• Advises the City Manager in financial matters of the City; formulates and oversees the City's investment policies; provides long-term and strategic financial support for the City’s public projects.
• Prepares the request for proposal for audit services, evaluates proposals received, and presents firms to City Council; Coordinates and assists with the annual financial audit with the external auditors.
• Understands and applies federal, state, and local accounting practices and regulations.
• Prepares financial summary and forecast reports for revenues, expenditures, and fund balances; presents reports to City Council monthly.
• Manages City liens, including the processing, reporting, and calculation of amounts owed; ensures that paid liens are released and recorded.
• Calculates the City's effective tax rate and presents it to the City Manager and City Council; acts as liaison to Montgomery County Central Appraisal District to evaluate properties and develop revenue forecasts.
• Reviews and revises the Finance Department's policies and procedures.
• Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates assigned staff; performs performance evaluations, counsels, and interviews employees on their on-the-job performance, resolves informal complaints and grievances, and takes necessary disciplinary action in accordance with City policies.

• Advanced skills to analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting information; prepare accurate and timely financial statements and reports
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of assigned staff
• Ability to understand, interpret, explain, and apply city, state, and federal laws regulating City financial accounting, reporting, and recordkeeping, investment of funds, and borrowing
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of governmental accounting and the regulations governing the reporting of municipal government financial activities
• Comprehensive knowledge of budget projection, development, management, and justification practices and procedures
  Ability to develop and maintain a positive working relationship with staff, fellow employees, elected officials, supervisors, citizens, businesses, and community groups.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive information and to comply with all records retention laws.
• Ability to elicit respect and trust through actions and lead by example
• Ability to provide leadership, counsel, motivation, and constructive performance reviews to staff
• Ability to respond and manage emergencies and incidents
• Ability to develop and implement City policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Comprehensive abilities in problem-solving, conflict management, and customer relations techniques
• Proficient skills in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Proficient skills in payroll, billing, and budget application management
• Comprehensive knowledge of municipal accounting and finance regulations