Finance Manager - Accounting (Internal Applicants Only)

City of Oak Harbor; Oak Harbor (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Oak Harbor seeks an experienced finance professional to lead advanced government accounting functions, overseeing the general ledger, audits, CAFR preparation, and capital planning. The role coordinates with the State Auditor and other agencies to ensure compliance with GAAP/GASB standards and timely reporting.

The position directs accounting staff, manages cash, and ensures internal controls while aligning financial operations with strategic city goals and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Requires advanced level professional government finance and accounting work.
• Experience with annual financial reporting and audits.
• Ability to supervise accounting staff and ensure deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting and cash management.
• Direct financial reporting, accounts payable, payroll, grants, fixed assets, and general ledger maintenance.
• Coordinate annual audit with State Auditor and other agencies.
• Prepare Annual Financial Report within deadlines.
• Develop capital plans and assist CIP updates.
• Educate staff on GASB and GAAP changes.
• Maintain chart of accounts and journal entry approvals.
• Supervise fund/cash balancing and online banking reconciliations.

Skills

Financial reporting

GAAP expertise

Audit coordination

Leadership

Cash management

Education

Bachelors in Accounting

Job description

This opportunity is open to current employees of the City of Oak Harbor only

Performs advanced level professional government finance and accounting work and manages the City’s general accounting functions and personnel, including the preparation of the city’s Annual Financial Report and coordination with the State Auditor and other auditing agencies.

Work activities involve multiple skills and may include any or all of the following depending on area of assignment, department needs, emergency services, special projects, and seasonal factors:

1. Customer Service - Make customer service a priority by establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative working relationship with City officials, department heads, co-workers, supervisors, and the public using good judgement to handle customer complaints, respond to inquiries and resolve concerns in a positive and timely manner using tact and courtesy, sometimes under stressful situations. This includes not increasing the City’s liability risk by spreading gossip or down talking other employees or Departments on City property.
2. Accounting– Manage the day-to-day accounting and cash management activities of accounting staff. Supervise accounting staff to ensure smooth functioning and meeting of all deadlines. Supervise accounting and financial reporting functions, including financial reporting, accounts payable, payroll, grants, fixed assets, and general ledger maintenance.
3. Audit– Manage the City’s annual audit and serve as the primary contact to the State Auditor’s Office and other auditing agencies. Act as a liaison with all City staff for audit purposes. Coordinate and attend audit entrance and exit meetings and assure appropriate management staff is in attendance. Prepare management response for Finance Director review. Prepare recommendations for corrective action for audit exit comments and findings including coordination and follow-up to ensure corrections are made.
4. Annual Financial Report– Manage the preparation of the Annual Financial Report within legal deadlines and current standards. Coordinate professional and other management staff assignments for completion of schedules, financial statements, narratives, and notes. Review all work products incorporated into the document for compliance and accuracy. Coordinate production and distribution of annual report.
5. Capital Plans- Manage the development and update of the of the Long-term Capital Plan and assist other departments with the development and update of the City’s Capital Improvement Plan to include related updates, budget amendments, budget adjustments, and researching budget variances.
6. Project Accounting– Assist with maintaining project accounting on multi-year projects. Be a resource to project managers for financial reporting and tracking.
7. GASB– Educate staff on new and updated Governmental Accounting Standards Board statements and develop implementation plans.
8. GAAP– Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and practices and Internal Revenue Service regulations. Assure that the City’s accounting activities are performed in accordance with local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and standards.
9. General Ledger– Manage maintenance of the general ledger including development and maintenance of the chart of accounts in the accounting system, review and approval of all journal entries, determination of proper account coding, and providing technical assistance to staff.
10. Fund/Cash Balancing– Supervise daily and monthly cash account activity and fund/cash balancing. Ensure on-line banking transactions and reconciliations of bank accounts are timely and accurate.
11. Debt– Manage the City’s debt issuance and management activities.
12. Investments– Manage the City’s investment portfolio and reporting.
13. Controls – Institute controls for financial functions throughout the City and ensures proper segregation of duties is maintained to prevent and detect