Director of Finance

This position is responsible for the establishment, maintenance, and enforcement of the financial administrative operations of the City of Elizabeth City. These operations include but are not limited to the following: Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting, Budgeting, Payroll Accounting, Cash Management, Debt Management, Investment Management, Bank Relations, Inventory Management, Fixed Asset Accounting, and Procurement. In addition, the position ensures that all activities of the Finance Department follow all federal, state, and local laws and regulations as well as City financial policies and procedures. The position is also responsible for the establishment and maintenance of financial standards and policies ensuring sound and robust financial policies and procedures with strong internal controls. This position is responsible for adhering to North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 159 PRINCIPLE DUTIES -JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Directs general finance operations; monitors and revises finance and accounting policies and procedures; formulates and directs the City’s investment policies. Establishes fiscal policies under the direction of the City Manager. Discusses and advises the City Manager in the financial matters of the City. Compiles an estimate of revenues and expenditures for the budget as directed by the City Manager. Responsible for the disbursement of all funds. Responsible for all expenditures to ensure compliance to the City’s procurement policies and procedures to include that budget appropriations are not exceeded. Delegates to City department heads matters concerning their areas of responsibility upon direction from the City Manager. Supervises the collection of all revenues (e.g., federal and state funds, local funds, grants, services, etc.) of the City or for whose collection the City is responsible. Maintains a general and financial accounting system for the city government and each of its offices, departments, and agencies; maintains general ledger and exercises financial budgetary control of the City’s adopted annual budget, multi-year budgets and capital project ordinances; maintains a system of accounting which conforms to the standards set by recognized authorities such as the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and the North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS); and require reports of receipts and disbursements from each receiving and spending agency of the city government. Submit to the Council through the City Manager monthly reporting that supports the current financial condition of the City. Oversees ongoing overall financial analysis, funds activity, accounts receivable, procurement, and payroll recording and monthly reconciling, monthly closing of financial records, annual closing as of the close of each fiscal year and financial statement preparation. Supervises and is responsible for the purchase, storage, and distribution of all supplies, materials, equipment, and other articles used by any office, department, or agency of the City; reviews all contracts, orders and other documents by which the City incurs financial obligations, having previously ascertained that moneys have been appropriated and allotted and will be available when the obligations shall become due and payable (e.g., pre-audit); provided that these duties may be delegated/assigned to other Finance staff within the Finance Department with the exception of the pre-audit. Responsible for the audit and payment all bills, invoices, payrolls, and other evidence of claims, demands or charges against the city government, and with the advice of the City Attorney determine the regularity, legality, and correctness of such claims, demands or charges. Responsible for debt management to include assisting in preparing debt applications, official statements, bond sales and related analyses, the accounting and financial reporting of the debt issuances, annual debt payments, debt schedules, etc. Responsible for grants management ensuring the City is adhering to the terms of the grant, proper accounting and financial reporting for the grant, timely submitting required reporting, etc. Develops and implements official forms for receipts, vouchers, bills or claims and all other financial forms to be used by all the offices, departments, and agencies of the City. Inspects and audits any accounts or records of financial transactions which may be maintained in any office, department, or agency of the City apart from or subsidiary to the accounts kept in the Finance Department. Has custody of and is responsible to the Council for all investments and invested funds of the city government, or in possession of such government in a fiduciary capacity and have the safe keeping of all bonds and notes of the City; investing City funds as allowed by law, interest earnings, etc. Responsible for the annual external audit and preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Oversees or personally performs monthly or other periodic, breakdown, summarization, comparison and forecasting of accounting and statistical data to mathematically, narratively and graphically depict, estimate and explain the status, fluctuations and trends of actual and budgeted expenditures, revenues and other financial activities pertaining to and influencing the fiscal condition of the City; investigating and solving intricate accounting problems, and acting as internal financial consultant to other City departments by providing professional accounting advice on issues affecting operating objectives and current financial results and condition of funds. Reads difficult source documents; communicates effectively with intra and inter departmental personnel and public; works well with department heads and public. Adherence to NCGS 159 Supervises staff. Performs other duties as assigned. OTHER ESSENTIAL DUTIES Attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this position. Position involves performing multiple tasks, meeting deadlines; must be available to work additional hours as needed. Employee shall attend and participate in team group meetings and stay current with new policy changes, new GASB statements and pronouncements, governmental trends, and innovations. During emergency response situations for our community, such as hurricanes or floods, the position may be tasked with additional duties, such as assessing ensuring emergency financial operations are in place for procurement, etc. and emergency funding for the public safety departments (e.g., fire, police, etc.). SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Position reports directly to the City Manager. WORKING CONDITIONS and PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Maintain physical condition appropriate to performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following: walking or standing for extended periods of time, communicating with others, reading, and writing, working areas in hard-to-reach areas or heights. Ability to comply with all city policies and regulations, including safety and risk management standards. The principal duties of this position are performed indoors. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and operate city vehicles. Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Considerable knowledge of public financial and purchasing principles and practices. Considerable knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and financial reporting and supervisory techniques. Considerable knowledge of NCGS 159. Knowledgeable of other NC General Statutes. Knowledge of investment management, debt management, grant management, budget management and capital project management best practices. Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to financial administration and procurement. Ability to analyze complex financial and management problems, make recommendations for their solution, and preparation and implementation of appropriate processes and procedures with strong internal controls, checks and balances, etc. Ability to devise long and short-term operations plans and ability to efficiently and adequately assess the results; implements and utilizes automated accounting methods to comply with City policy requirements and professional standards with strong internal controls. Considerable experience in budgeting and financial control. Ability to understand the functional capabilities of financial software and implement and utilize the software using best practices. Proficient computer skills using Microsoft Office products. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, or Business Administration or Finance with a concentration in Finance or Accounting required. MBA strongly preferred. Five (5) to seven (7) years of governmental accounting within a Finance Department. With at least three (3) years’ experience in a high-level supervisory capacity required. Licensed and Certifications: CPA, CPFO or NCGFOA Finance Officer certifications strongly preferred. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS and EMPLOYEES The City of Elizabeth City investigates and obtains information from all references, both personal and professional, employers, public agencies, licensing authorities, and educational institutions to obtain information about applicants and to otherwise verify the accuracy of information provided in the application. The City does not unlawfully discriminate in employment practices and no question on the application is used for the purpose of limiting or excusing any applicant from consideration for employment on a basis prohibited and protected by applicable Local, State or Federal law. Applicants must agree to submit to any medical examination and/or drug and alcohol testing to determine the ability to perform the duties of the position which applied for, and employment is contingent upon the results thereof. Falsifying any information on the application, may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process as per city policy. Prior to hire, the City will conduct a background check for employment to include and up to following types of searches: Criminal history search, Employment verification, Education verification, Social Security Number (SSN) trace, Professional license verification, Sex offender registry search, Pre-employment drug test. The City, if hiring for jobs involving driving also might request driver’s license motor vehicle records checks. Positions requiring credit checks, will be completed in accordance with North Carolina law. If an offer of employment is made, the applicant is required to provide proof of identity and legal authority to work in the United States as per Federal immigration laws requiring the form I-9. #J-18808-Ljbffr