Finance Manager (11-26)

City of Whittier; Whittier (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Whittier seeks a Finance Manager to lead and supervise the Finance division, collaborate with the Director of Finance, and partner with internal departments on budget development and financial reporting. The role emphasizes GAAP compliance, fiscal analysis, and effective communication with City Council and external agencies.

The candidate will oversee month-end/year-end closings, coordinate audits, and supervise staff while guiding financial policy and long-term planning in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field with four years of increasingly responsible finance experience in a municipal agency or equivalent.
• Master's degree and supervision experience are highly desirable.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing operations of the Finance and Accounting division and support budget processes.
• Develop and implement accounting procedures and systems to improve efficiency.
• Coordinate with auditors and regulatory bodies; prepare financial reports and GAAP-compliant statements.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Public sector finance

Supervision

GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting

Master's degree desirable

Job description

WILL CLOSE AFTER RECEIPT OF THE FIRST 150 FULLY COMPLETED APPLICATIONS OR NOVEMBER 25,2026 WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.

Qualified candidates will be contacted with additional details regarding the interview process. Interviews are anticipated to take place on December 2, 2026.

Class specifications are only intended to present a descriptive summary of the range of duties and responsibilities associated with specified positions. Therefore, specifications may not include all duties performed by individuals within a classification. In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and do not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position.

DEFINITION:

Under general direction of the Director of Finance, the Finance Manager assists in performing a variety of activities related to the City's financial operations including: supervising staff; serving as a business partner with the City's financial software, utility billing and business license vendors; managing functions associated with the City's budget processes; assisting with other finance and administrative functions including report writing and financial presentations to City Council, boards, commissions and community groups; fiscal impact review; performing professional financial analysis and journey level accounting duties in the preparation and maintenance of the City's financial records; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Finance Manager is the management class responsible for overall administration and supervision of the Finance division, and assisting with the Accounting Division. The position requires strong communication abilities, both verbal and written, along with independent judgment skills. This position will be a point of contact on a variety of topics for internal City staff and external representatives from other agencies. In addition to financial analysis and journey level accounting, the incumbent in this class has primary responsibility for many aspects of the City's budget processes, documentation and preparation. This classification is distinguished from the next higher classification of Director of Finance in that the latter has overall responsibility for multiple divisions within the Finance Department, while the Finance Manager has responsibility for only the Finance Division. An employee in this class exercises supervision over assigned staff and exercises considerable discretion and independent judgment in the performance of assigned duties, based on extensive experience and training in public sector finance, budget and accounting.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:

Receives general direction from the Director of Finance. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over assigned staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists the Director of Finance in managing the operations of the Finance and Accounting division; assists in the development and implementation of Finance and Accounting division goals, objectives, policies, and procedures and measures accomplishments against stated objectives.
• Develops new or modified systems and policies to improve essential functions and services to internal and external customers; develops, revises, and implements specialized accounting procedures and systems to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Identifies, articulates, manages, supervises, and coordinates policies, procedures, goals and objectives necessary to improve Department services.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates administrative services required to prepare the City-wide annual and mid-year budgets; serves as a liaison to Departments during the preparation, development and implementation stages of the budget process.
• Monitors and projects City revenues and expenditures; analyzes budget requests; prepares and presents reports of budget activity; prepares the draft and final budget.
• Reviews and analyzes a wide variety of financial records, legislative reports, economic data, and City's business activities to evaluate current and future fiscal and economic conditions and trends.
• Performs financial planning activities as related to investment analysis, sources and uses of funds, accounting, debt administration, and extensive budgeting planning and forecasting; forecasts general revenues and expenditures and provides professional assistance to other departments regarding projections specific to their respective operations.
• Supervises and may assist in month-end and year-end closing of finances.
• Assists independent auditors and with their annual review of financial records; prepares and provides support documentation and answers questions concerning financial records and accounting practices; ensures audits are completed in a timely manner.
• Oversees and manages the City's contracts with various vendors, including those providing water billing and collection services; serves as a business partner with vendors in the administration of the contracts and services; coordinates and reconciles the receipt of revenues from vendors; resolves complex issues involving customers, policies, and/or systems.
• Oversees and manages the City's contract with the vendor(s) providing business, sales and property tax and revenue consulting services.
• Analyzes, reviews, and prepares a variety of complex financial statements and reports; draws conclusions and makes recommendations; timely submits mandated reports to regulatory and grant agencies.
• Ensures compliance with laws, codes and regulations governing municipal accounting functions; ensures compliance with provisions of Federal, State, County and City statutes relating to financial matters.
• Compiles and analyzes financial data to assist City administration in financial planning and economic development; provides financial data, financial information and guidance to other City departments; provides timely and accurate monthly reports to the Departments.
• Provides staff training and development; assigns, reviews and supervises the work of subordinate employees; reviews and evaluates employees' job performance.
• Ensures Department services are provided with the highest standards.
• Directs and participates in the preparation of financial reports in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the standards of the Government Finance Officers' Association's (GFOA's) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program.
• Researches, develops, and prepares a variety of studies, reports, correspondence, and technical materials in accordance with City policies and related legal requirements, including those required for State and Federal grants.
• Analyzes existing and proposed ordinances, statutes, resolutions, legislation, and other documents for impact on City operations, including revenue and taxation, as it relates to the City's fiscal policy and its effect on City financial operations.
• Stays abreast of current and emerging trends and practices in the field of municipal finance. Assigns, participates, and assists with the review and audit of the City's financial transactions; acts on recommendations made in audit reports.
• Serves as liaison with auditors, financial institutions, brokers, Federal, State, regional, county, city, and special district agencies; provides responsible and complex staff support to the Assistant Director of Administrative Services/Director of Administrative Services.
• Interacts with the public and internal customers in person, in writing, via email, or over the telephone to communicate information or resolve discrepancies; responds to the more difficult questions and concerns from the general public, contractors, vendors, and outside agencies; provides information as is appropriate and resolves public service or operational complaints; establishes and maintains a customer service orientation within the division.
• Conducts research and prepares special projects.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Functions as a member of the City's financial management team and participates actively in addressing issues of concern to the City, which at times may not have a direct impact on area of specialization.
• May be exposed to confidential and privileged information during the course of duties, which should be maintained as such.
• Performs other related duties as required.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing statistical reports and data using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading correspondence, statistical data, and using the computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, drag, and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and/or Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for a Finance Manager. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess a bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field and four years of increasingly responsible finance experience in a municipal agency or equivalent. A Master's degree and experience in the supervision of professional personnel staff is highly desirable.

License/Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES/SKILLS:

Knowledge of: Highly complex principles, practices, techniques, systems, and procedures of government finance, municipal budgeting and accounting processes; sources of revenue to fund municipal services; research methods and techniques of report presentation; management and organization theories, principles, practices and methods; laws and regulations which govern municipal finance administration; legislation related to public finance and accounting; principles and practices of budget preparation and financial reporting; advanced principles and practices of computer and accounting systems services; principles of contract administration and liaison; modern office equipment and procedures; general office practices and procedures; proper English, spelling, and grammar; word processing, spreadsheet, and/or database software at an advanced proficiency level; basic customer service principles; and principles of supervision.

Ability to: Plan, direct, manage and perform advanced municipal budgeting, journey level accounting and financial activities related to the operations of the City and the Finance Department; communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; research and prepare complex reports on a variety of subjects; establish and maintain effective relationships with vendors and the community at large, the City Council and other public officials; select, train, supervise and evaluate employees; represent the City in a variety of meetings; make decisions regarding assigned operational functions; operate programs within allocated amounts; respond to emergency and problem situations in an effective manner; understand, explain and apply policies and procedures; analyze unusual situations and resolve them through application of management principles and practices; deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions; plan, develop, manage, administer and enforce a balanced budget; develop new policies impacting department operations/procedures; interpret financial statements and cost accounting reports; analyze financial issues as they relate to City services; and maintain accurate and complete reports and records.

Skill to: Operate standard office equipment, including a computer and variety of word processing and software applications.

Medical:

Applicants will be required as a prerequisite to employment to successfully pass a physical examination, including a drug screen, the cost of which will be paid by the City.

Selection/Exam Process:

The person selected will be expected to perform all the functions of the position. Based on a review of the applications and the supplemental applications received, the candidates appearing to be the most qualified and meeting the City's particular needs will be invited in writing to the exam process. A candidate must achieve a passing score on each exam to proceed to the next exam.

Interview Information:

Panel Oral Interview: 100%

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of Whittier is an Equal Opportunity Employer