Finance Director

Finance Director

The Finance Director role provides strategic oversight of all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, treasury management, and payroll, ensuring fiscal integrity, strong internal controls, and responsible stewardship of public funds. As a trusted advisor to leadership, this position delivers clear financial guidance to support sound decision-making and long-term stability. In addition to financial leadership, the role includes limited statutory City Clerk responsibilities, ensuring accurate recordkeeping, proper documentation of governing body actions, and compliance with required certifications and public records standards.

Key Accountabilities for the position include but are not limited to the following:

Financial Oversight & Management

• Provides city financial advice and recommendations to the city manager and council
• Establishes and maintains internal control procedures and required accounting practices.
• Oversees maintenance of financial records and preparation of required financial reports.
• Along with City Manager, co-creates and contributes to city budget preparation and execution, financial planning, and forecasting.
• Oversees payroll, investment of city funds, collection of revenues, and accounts payable.
• Performs duties of city treasurer as specified in the Code of Iowa and local ordinances.

Team Leadership

• Manages and supervises clerk's office operations and staff.
• Provides or ensures training for new employees.
• Performs annual performance evaluations.
• Maintains personnel records and resolves any employee grievances.
• Advises city manager of departmental needs or concerns.
• Ensures enforcement of approved city policies, and is responsible for informing staff of legal and ethical issues involving confidential data.

Strategic Planning Support & Operational Efficiency

• Participates in the development of short- and long-range plans
• Gathers, interprets and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations.
• Coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies.
• Plans and recommends maintenance and capital improvement programs.
• Recommends and assists in establishing city policies and guidelines.

Stakeholder Engagement, Service Excellence, & Professional Growth

• Provides information to citizens, co-workers, and others.
• Represents city on regional boards and commissions as directed.
• Attends workshops and seminars to maintain or enhance certification and expertise.

City Clerk Duties (Statutory, Legislative, & Records Functions)

• Attends City Council meetings, including preparation of agendas and packets and accurate recording of proceedings and council actions.
• Prepares and maintains official legislative documents and records, including minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and related filings.
• Serves as custodian of official City records, ensuring proper indexing, public access, and statutory compliance.
• Certifies, publishes, records, seals, and attests to ordinances, contracts, bonds, deeds, and other legal documents as required by law.
• Provides procedural support to boards and commissions, administers oaths of office, oversees permits and licenses, and interprets municipal codes.

Skills & Relations Experience

• Strong leadership and staff supervision skills
• Advanced knowledge of municipal finance, accounting, and budgeting
• Understanding of public administration and municipal government operations
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical skills and sound independent judgment
• High level of integrity and ability to manage confidential information
• Proficiency in financial systems and standard office software
• Ability to develop policies, procedures, and long-range plans
• Effective interpersonal skills for working with elected officials, staff, and the public

Education & Requirements

Required Education: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education: Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration. Certified Municipal Clerk or sufficient training to be a Certified Municipal Clerk.

Experience Required: A minimum of 5 years of related experience