Performs difficult managerial and complex professional duties in planning, organizing, and directing the financial functions for the City.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class plans, directs, organizes, and administers a variety of fiscal and administrative functions, including disbursement and accounting of revenues and expenditures, monitoring and administering the budget, accounting, purchasing, revenue collections, information systems, billing and payroll operations, customer services, and grant administration. The employee must exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative in planning and directing the fiscal control and procurement system. Work is performed in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes and State regulations governing the responsibilities of local government financial operations, local government purchasing, contracts, and bidding, and City policies and manuals. Work is performed under the supervision of the City Manager and is evaluated through conferences, reports, analysis of program accomplishments, feedback from other departments, and an independent audit of financial records.
Essential Duties and Tasks
Plans organizes and directs the Finance Department, including financial programs and operations, accounting, utility and miscellaneous accounts receivable billing, revenue collections, purchasing, fixed assets accounting, budget, investments, accounts payable, payroll, grant administration, and assessment levying; develops and implements departmental goals.Assists the city manager in preparing the general operating and capital improvements budgets; projects revenues; performs historical research on spending and trends in previous years; forecasts capital and financing schedules and cost estimates.Works with the Manager to direct the formulation of City financial policies and assists other departments with the development and implementation of financial systems.Directs the general accounting system for the City; maintains financial records for each department; maintains separate accounts for items of appropriation in the budget; monitors expenditures and obligations on accounts.Reviews and monitors the ongoing administration of the budget, including revenues and expenditures, and coordinates activities and changes with City departments.Manages the Finance Department staff and resources; prepares annual departmental budget; hires, trains, provides performance coaching and evaluation, staff communications, leadership, motivation, and work assignment; identifies and manages technology needs.Reviews budget system and financial conditions and develops methods of improvement.Oversees the preparation of monthly and annual financial statements as well as other reports on the City's fiscal condition. Monitors the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and yearly payroll reports.Assists external auditors with annual audits and prepares the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.Coordinates underwriting, forecasting, and preparing the official statement for bond issues and other financing agreements; administers the debt service program for the City.Monitors grant agreements for financial and award compliance; directs the timing of draw-downs for expenditures; tracks capital project revenue and spending.Oversees purchase orders process.Manages receipt and investment of all City revenues; manages the meter reading, utility billing.Submits periodic statements of the city's financial condition to the city manager and the board; works with staff to prepare budget amendments.Additional Job Duties:
Performs related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of North Carolina General Statutes and local ordinances governing municipal financial practices and procedures, purchasing of materials, supplies, and equipment.Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public finance administration, including principles and practices of municipal accounting.Thorough knowledge of fiscal support activities such as purchasing, technology, payroll, and budget analysis and preparation.Thorough understanding of the application of information technology to the department and City-wide financial systems, including financial software applications, spreadsheets, databases, utility billing and customer accounts packages, etc.Thorough knowledge of City policies and procedures related to personnel, budgeting, and purchasing.Considerable knowledge of modern and effective supervisory principles and practices including leadership, motivations, communication, performance coaching and evaluation, and hiring.Knowledge of laws and regulations related to hiring and staff management.Skill in collaborative conflict resolution and customer service excellence.Ability to evaluate complex financial systems and formulate and install accounting methods, procedures, forms, and records.Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of subordinate employees in the specialized fields of accounting, utilities and information services, revenue collection, purchasing and warehousing.Ability to analyze issues, collect data, evaluate the larger context and think systemically in decision making and problem solving.Ability to design and prepare analytical or interpretative financial statements.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, vendors, departmental heads, governmental officials, and with other City employees.Ability to develop bid specifications and evaluate bids.Ability to interpret and explain intricate laws and procedures relating to the financial systems, procurements and purchasing process.Accuracy and thoroughness in the analysis and preparation of financial records and reports.Physical Requirements
Must be able to physically perform the life support functions of stooping, crouching, reaching, lifting, walking, fingering, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform 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. Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and statistics, operate a computer terminal, perform accounting duties, and do extensive reading.
Desirable Education and Experience
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in accounting or business and considerable experience in public finance administration including considerable supervisory experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Requirements
Preference given to candidates with a CPA, Certified Local Government Finance Officer certification, or Master's in Business or Public Administration.
Special Requirements
Employee may be called upon in case of a disaster, either natural or man-made; to serve the Citizens of Clinton and failure to serve when required may result in personnel action. Service to the Citizens during a disaster may result in the assignment of other duties, which will take precedence over duties described in this job description.
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