Finance Director

Salary: $133,767.68 Annually
Location : City Hall, Montrose, CO
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 05/27/2026
FLSA: Exempt

Basic Purpose of the Job:
Under general direction of the City Manager's Office, the Finance Director directs the organization's financial management, accounting, and auditing practices to ensure its long term fiscal health, and serves as a integral part of the City's executive leadership team. The Finance Director provides servant-oriented leadership to all City Departments and staff members by providing technical expertise and knowledge to others throughout the organization in a team-based and collaborative fashion.

Essential Functions:
(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

• Direct the preparation, adoption, and administration of the annual operating budget and multi-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Monitor expenditures throughout the fiscal year to ensure organizational compliance with approved funding limits.
• Supervise daily accounting functions, payroll processing, accounts payable/receivable, purchasing, utility billing, and municipal court financial transactions. Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and all subsidiary ledgers.
• Serve as the custodian of all public funds, executing investment strategies that maximize yields while prioritizing safety and liquidity. Ensure cash flow is sufficient to meet daily municipal operating obligations.
• Coordinate and manage municipal debt issuances, lease-purchase agreements, and bond financing. Monitor compliance with bond covenants and continuing disclosure requirements, maintaining relationships with rating agencies and public finance professionals.
• Ensure all municipal financial activities, reporting, and policies strictly adhere to federal, state, and local laws. Maintain alignment with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Translate complex financial data into clear forecasts, revenue projections, and economic models. Present regular and transparent updates and strategic recommendations to City Management, City Council, and Department Heads to guide fiscal policy and administration.
• Lead the preparation for the annual independent external audit. Compile the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and deliver accurate financial statements to City Management and the General Public.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate finance department personnel to foster a high-performance culture based on collaboration and excellence in service. Establish robust internal control systems to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse across all city departments.

Department Head Additional Essential Functions:
Business Acumen: Understand business implications of decisions, demonstrate knowledge of market and aligns work with strategic goals.
Change Management: Communicate change effectively, prepare and support those affected by change, monitor transition and evaluates results.
Communications: Express ideas and thoughts orally and in writing. Exhibit good listening & comprehension; select & use appropriate communication methods.
Managing Customer Focus: Establish, promote, and monitor customer service standards to assure the best outcomes.
Fiscal Responsibility: Prepare annual budget and assure that assigned areas of responsibility are performed effectively & efficiently within approved budget; perform cost control activities & cost saving measures; monitor applicable revenues and/or expenditures; manage resources such as personnel, materials, facilities and time effectively.
Managing People: Provide direction and gain compliance, include workers in planning, and take responsibility for their activities; provide regular and specific performance feedback.

Supervision:
Feedback: Establish goals and expectations for workers. Write and conduct employee evaluations.
Staffing: Ensure position descriptions are accurate and assist in interviewing and selecting candidates appropriate to the work.
Scheduling: Ensure schedules are set to get the work done in accordance with HR guidelines.
Training: Assure implementation of job specific training to ensure employee success.
Coaching: Set and discuss expectations for employee success. Conduct a formal mid-cycle progress review in addition to regular meetings with each subordinate.
Problem Resolution: Handles or gets assistance with employee issues in a timely manner to prevent escalation of problems and disruption to the department.
Employee Management: In accordance with HR polices, use established procedures to manage employee behavior. Actions are consistent and provide opportunity for the employee to improve.

Core Beliefs:
Core beliefs are deeply held values and assumptions that guide individuals in the workplace. Core beliefs define how we do things. By establishing core beliefs, the City of Montrose is creating a common culture that shapes employee behavior in a positive and predictable manner. When these beliefs are shared, they create cohesiveness and mutual commitment in the organization and flexibility to changes as they occur.

Our core beliefs are centered on exceptional service and are based around treating our customers and fellow team members with dignity and respect. We value teamwork and recognize that we must continually strive to improve the customer experience. Every team member, regardless of job title, plays a part in creating a service environment and each are empowered to respond to the needs of our customers and teammates. We have six Core Beliefs: Respect, Ethics, Leadership, Accountability, Transparency, Excellence in Service (RELATE).

Job Requirement:

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or Related Field from an accredited college.
• Master's Degree from an accredited college or CPA preferred.
• 5 or more years of progressively responsible municipal or public finance experience, including management and supervisory duties.
• Comprehensive knowledge of standard policies and procedures related to local government organizations, and principles of public management and administration, accounting and auditing principles, tax codes, budgeting, cash projections, debt administration, investment fund management and procurement processes.

Licensures & Certificates (must be active and current.):

• Ability to Obtain Colorado Government Finance Officer Certification within 3 years from start of employment.
• Current Colorado driver's license with acceptable record.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
Must possess ability to work in a standard office setting; attend meetings at various sites within and away from the City with some evening and/or weekend hours required; strength to lift and carry materials up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate with employees and the public. Works primarily in clean, comfortable office environment. Subject to many interruptions and pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries.

Late applications will not be accepted. All candidates are subject to a pre-employment background check and drug screen. The City of Montrose is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired.
The City of Montrose is committed to compensating employees fairly and equitably. The talent and contributions of employees are crucial to enhancing the quality of life for all who live in, work for, or visit the City of Montrose. In addition to their paychecks, the following benefits represent a significant contribution toward their total compensation.
Medical Insurance: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) medical plan, administered by UMR. This is a high deductible health plan. You will receive the maximum benefits under the plan and pay a smaller amount out of your pocket when you seek medical treatment from a United Healthcare Choice Plus network provider.
Dental Insurance: Coverage is offered through UMR to provide dental and orthodontic care. In addition, our dental plan has no network which allows you to see any dentist you prefer.
Vision Insurance: Coverage is offered through VSP for assistance with contacts, glasses, or other vision needs.
Health Savings Account: A savings account that is tax-free and interest-bearing that you can use to pay for qualified medical expenses like doctor visits, prescriptions, and emergency room bills. The City of Montrose provides an employer contribution at the beginning of the year.
Life and AD&D Insurance: City-paid policies provide security for you and your family. Additional voluntary plans are available to supplement City-paid plans for employees and their dependents.
Retirement Plan: A defined contribution investment program for non-sworn employees. The City will contribute 8% of your gross base wages. Sworn Police Officers are enrolled in a defined benefit investment program through FPPA.
Paid Holidays: The following holidays are observed by the majority of City Offices.
Martin Luther King Jr . Day
President's Day
Memorial Day

Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Indigenous People's Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year's Day
Paid Vacation and Sick Leave: Employees are credited with vacation time each pay period that may be used after the first three (3) months of employment. Employees begin earning/utilizing sick leave immediately.
Employee Assistance Program: Coverage is through Triad. Triad offers brief, solution-focused counseling for employees, their spouses or significant others, and their dependents under 26. The counseling is free and completely confidential.
Black Canyon Golf Membership for City Employees: Free employee golf membership and 20% Rusty Putter and Pro Shop discount.
MRD Community Recreation Center Membership: Deeply discounted membership for employees and their dependents.
For more information regarding our benefits please refer to Human Resources via email: View email address on click.appcast.io