Controller

Controller Position

Under administrative direction, the Controller manages all general accounting functions for the City.

About the Team

Our Finance Division is a collaborative, high-performing group committed to excellence in public service. Within this division, our Accounting Department is composed of nine dedicated professionals who support the City's financial operations with accuracy and integrity. The team oversees the preparation and publication of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), leads the monthly financial close and reporting process, and ensures full compliance with all GASB standards. We operate in a fast-moving environment where accuracy, transparency, and public trust guide our work. With a strong commitment to continuous improvement, the team embraces new tools, streamlines processes, and works closely across departments to deliver timely and reliable financial information.

About You

The ideal Controller is a detail-oriented, forward-thinking leader with a strong background in accounting, financial reporting, and GASB standards, thriving in a fast-paced and continually evolving environment. With proven experience guiding the development of ACFRs, monthly financial statements, and GASB implementations, you apply a meticulous review approach to ensure accuracy and full compliance in all financial activities. You excel at teaching, mentoring, and developing team members, using a hands-on leadership style that strengthens skills, enhances efficiency, and builds a culture of accountability. Skilled at leveraging technology to enhance processes and internal controls, you collaborate effectively with auditors and implement sound policies that improve efficiency. Your integrity, communication skills, and strong working relationships drive high performance and advance the Finance Department's mission.

Essential Functions

Manages accounting functions in the city including general accounting, financial reporting, internal audits, customer service, fixed assets, project accounting, and intergovernmental accounting. Coordinates debt service, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and grant accounting. Prepares various budgetary, financial, and statistical reports, including routine periodic reports such as monthly expenditure and revenue reports; coordinates financial matters and issues with other city departments. Supervises the preparation and distribution of the city's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Assists external auditors in the annual audit. Performs internal financial audits to ensure proper recording and reporting in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards. Coordinates, oversees, or participates in special accounting projects. Responsible for financial software program, including determining appropriate business processes, business policies and internal controls, training end-users, resolving problems, and ensuring the integrity of information. Assists in the development and implementation of accounting systems, control systems, and reporting procedures. Recommends, implements and monitors internal controls for receipting revenues, tracking expenditures and disbursing funds. Assists with preparation of the budget, collecting data, organizing material, conducting research, and making recommendations. Assists Finance Director with financial planning and projections. Manages, supervises and directs the activities of assigned staff and functions; makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, termination or advancement of employees. Schedules employees, assigns work, and monitors progress; guides, trains and develops employees in the accomplishment of their duties and professional growth; evaluates performance. Communicates with staff through staff meetings and employee briefings; resolves issues and problems associated with accounting division. Prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary documents or correspondence to appropriate boards, groups, and/or committees. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field from an accredited college or university; five years' experience in progressively responsible financial accounting, including two years' supervisory or lead experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Licensing/Certification Requirements: Registration as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred. May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton and the department. Knowledge of and ability to apply theory, principles, practices, and methods of governmental accounting, including GAAP and GASB statements and pronouncements. Knowledge of state and local statutes, ordinances, resolutions, and charter requirements relating to municipal finance and budgeting. Knowledge of the theories, methods, and practices of financial auditing and automated accounting. Skill in developing and maintaining detailed, accurate financial records, reports and statistical analyses of municipal projects and funds. Skill in performing standard and more complex mathematical computations. Ability to interpret, understand, and follow complex laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards, and guidelines relating to municipal finance and budgeting. Ability to monitor municipal budgets and to make appropriate decisions and recommendations. Ability to demonstrate consistent exercise of discretion and independent judgment. Ability to supervise and perform internal financial audits, special accounting projects and complex accounting tasks. Ability to coordinate financial matters and issues with other city departments; ability to prepare and present staff reports and financial documents. Ability to supervise, direct and train employees. Ability to use standard office equipment and computer software including personal computers, automated financial systems, electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheet applications and data base management. Ability to research, develop and lead formal and informal presentations and discussions with diverse groups. Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees, other agencies, and the public. Physical and Mental Requirements: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to finger, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly sedentary work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity.

Testing Procedures

Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources. Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration. As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.