Assistant Director of Finance

The City of Salem an Affirmative Action and EEO employer welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and recognizes the benefits of a diverse workforce. Therefore the City of Salem is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on business needs job requirements and individual qualifications. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race color religion sex national origin age sexual orientation mental or physical disabilities political affiliation veteran status gender identity or other non-merit factors.

The City of Salem is proud to be a Certified Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program employer.

The City seeks a detail-oriented personable and caring and organized leader who will be actively involved in the Citys day-to-day financial operations while also guiding the strategic direction of the finance department. This role requires a professional with strong accounting skills who will provide leadership and mentorship to the finance team and who is dedicated to working with a close-knit and supportive staff. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting in planning organizing and directing the financial activities of the City managing the annual budget process managing the annual audit process and preparation of the annual comprehensive financial report preparing and maintaining financial records and reports and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the general direction of the Director of Finance.

Please review the attached Recruitment Profile for more information:

To be considered qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume with salary expectations and professional references to Karen Edmonds with the Berkley Group via email at While this position is open until filled a formal review of applications will begin on April 27 2026. However please note that highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time. Timely submittal will ensure the most advantageous review.

Essential functions include:

• Supervises division managers and assigned staff;
• Supervises all accounting functions for both City and Schools;
• Manages the annual budgeting process with departments; makes changes in the financial software system during budget meetings and budget balancing process;
• Reviews annual personnel budget including cost of all fringe benefits;
• Participates in annual budget meetings with departments and work sessions with City Council; prepares/reviews sections of the budget book for proposed and adopted budgets;
• Develops revenue estimates for General Fund and works with Director of Finance to balance the annual budget;
• Performs detailed review of City and School Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports prior to presentation to auditors; reviews custodial fund financial reports;
• Serves as the primary liaison with external auditors; manages the annual audit process; develops year-end audit schedules; monitors audit issues with external auditors; manages audit progress with internal staff; manages adoption of new GASB statements;
• Performs detailed review of monthly financial reports for all City funds including review of budget vs. actual current YTD versus prior YTD; prepares financial transfers as needed;
• Supervises accounting staff; assigns oversees trains and reviews the work of staff; rewards disciplines coaches counsels and evaluates staff performance;
• Reviews journal entries and various quarterly and annual reports prepared by accounting staff;
• Performs detailed review of payroll journal entries and reviews payroll changes report for City and Schools;
• Prepares Transmittal Letter and Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) for the Citys Annual Comprehensive Financial Report:
• Reviews audit work papers prepared by accountants; prepares certain audit work papers including tax analyses;
• Maintains central Finance calendar of monthly report deadlines grant report deadlines and other deadlines related to the accounting function;
• Monitors financial position of health insurance plan for City and Schools; works with health insurance consultants;
• Performs special projects as needed; develops RFP for auditing services; participates on committees; works with IT staff to develop financial software; reviews financial policies prepared by accounting staff;
• Prepares a variety of financial reports for submission to the City Council;
• Coordinates and reviews preparation of actuarial study for Other Post-Employment Benefits as required by GASB for City and Schools; reviews Annual Cost Report submitted to Auditor of Public Accounts;
• Performs detailed review of bank reconciliations for the Citys two largest bank accounts;
• Serves a backup program administrator for the Citys purchasing card program;
• Schedules and attends weekly or biweekly update meetings with accounting and purchasing staffs;
• Presents financial information and reports to City leadership City Council School Board and other stakeholders as needed;
• Acts as the Director of Finance in her absence ensuring the continuity of financial operations; and
• Any other duties as may be assigned.

Education and Experience

The following education and experience factors are the desired qualifications for successful performance:

• Bachelors degree in accounting finance business or public administration or a related field with experience in accounting budgeting debt issuance or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in the public sector accounting field with 3-5 years minimum experience in a management or supervisory role;
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) or Masters degree in a related field required;
• A demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development through participation in organizations such as VLGMA GFOA and VGFOA;
• Any combination of education and experience that qualifies an applicant may be considered in lieu of the more specific criteria listed above.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting and using hands to finger handle or feel frequently requires speaking or hearing and occasionally requires standing and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office light traffic).

Required Experience:

Director