Chief Financial Officer

Finance Department Director

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Finance Department, including financial management and reporting, accounting, investment, budgeting, cash management, and purchasing; formulates departmental policies, goals, and directives; coordinates assigned activities with officials and outside agencies; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental, regulatory agencies, and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the City Manager in coordinating and directing City-wide departmental activities and operations and in executing the long-term vision for the City; and performs related duties as assigned.

Receives administrative direction from the City Manager. Exercises supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and/or administrative support staff.

This is a department director classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Finance Department, including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the City Manager a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, City functions and activities, including the role of the City Council and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, and for furthering the City's mission, goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.

Examples of Duties

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Finance Department programs, services, and activities including financial management and reporting, accounting, investment, budgeting, cash management, and purchasing.
• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements budgetary adjustments, as necessary.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Monitors and implements legal, regulatory, technology and societal changes and court decisions that may affect the work of the department; determines equipment acquisition, training programs and procedural changes to ensure retention of qualified staff and the provision of services to the City in an effective, efficient, and economical manner.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements and administers same after award.
• Directs and manages the City's investment portfolio to safeguard public funds while achieving appropriate financial returns in support of ongoing and long term City programs.
• Plans, develops, and oversees the City's annual and bi-annual operating and capital project budgets; coordinates budget preparation with department heads; analyzes and forecasts revenues and expenditures to identify funding needs to staffing, equipment, materials, and/or services; administers multiple operating, capital, and special revenue funds.
• Directs and oversees the preparation and timely submission of mandated financial reports, including the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) ensuring accuracy, compliance with applicable standards and audit readiness.
• Oversees Citywide purchasing and procurement activities; reviews and approves purchase orders and contracts; directs the development of bid specifications and procurement documents.
• Oversees cash management and banking activities, financial planning functions, insurance and risk management services, and Citywide payroll processing.
• Represents the department to other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, and the public; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Participates in and makes presentations to the City Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions, as assigned; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of finance; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs.
• Directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files; prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Functions, authority, and responsibilities of an appointed City Council.
• Local government finance and accounting, debt administration and financing techniques, auditing principles, and cost accounting methods.
• Grant administration and implementation.
• Complex arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned department.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership for the Department.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Direct the establishment of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience