Finance Manager

DEFINITION

Under general direction, to plan, organize, and direct the activities of the Finance Department; to oversee and participate in the work of staff responsible for performing professional fiscal management programs applying generally accepted accounting principals for government agencies and to develop, establish and maintain financial systems and controls; to oversee the work of staff responsible for performing a variety of routine to complex technical financial functions in areas including budget, accounting, revenue and cash collection, accounts payable, purchasing, and payroll; to ensure work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; to answer questions and provide information and assistance to other staff and the general public; to coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and technical staff assistance to the Finance Director.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates the activities of the Finance Department including professional and technical work; oversees and participates in the work of professional staff responsible for preparation and monitoring of the annual budget; posting, balancing, and reconciling the general ledger and subsidiary accounts as well as performing bank reconciliations; collection of revenues; accounts payable, purchasing, and payroll. Analyzes systems, policies and procedures relating to departmental operations and recommends improvements; oversees annual audit by independent agency and other governments; prepares schedules and worksheets as required by auditors; works with auditors on the preparation and review of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); reviews staff reports for fiscal impact; participates in preparing the Annual Budget, Forecast and Capital Improvement Plan, , mid-year budget, and budget reappropriations; sets up and maintains accounting records for grants, fixed assets, and internal service funds; prepares required reports such as State Controller’s Report and financial reports as requested.; Participates in the development of goals and objectives; participates in the selection of assigned staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; prepares City Council agenda reports and may make presentations at City Council or other City commission meetings; represents the City and the department at various meetings; coordinates assigned activities with those of other divisions and outside agencies and organizations; maintains financial records in outside programs; responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints; serves as Finance Director in the Director’s absence; performs related duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Knowledge of: operational characteristics, services, and activities of municipal finance and municipal government accounting; generally accepted governmental accounting principles; principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation; municipal budgeting techniques and practices; applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations; electronic data processing; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; principles and procedures of record keeping.
Ability to: oversee and participate in the management of a comprehensive financial program; interpret applicable laws, rules and regulations; perform accurate mathematical and statistical calculations; analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement solutions in support of goals; oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff; select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff; maintain adequate accounting records; work independently with minimum instructions; make reasonable, sound, and appropriate recommendations and decisions; organize and coordinate tasks to completion;; respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain this required knowledge would be: Educational equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in public finance, accounting, business administration or closely related field and four years progressively responsible professional accounting experience with at least one year of governmental accounting or closely related experience preferred. Master's degree in accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Public Administration or a directly related field and/or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) is desirable. Two years of supervisory experience is preferred.
Licenses/Certificates: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License with a safe driving record is required and must be maintained as valid during the course of employment.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with extensive public contact and constant interruptions.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.