Finance Director

Position Title: Finance Director

Pay Grade: Q

Department: General Government

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: City Manager

Safety Sensitive: No

Position Supervises: Yes

Date Approved: 10/2013

Date Revised: 09/2024

JOB SUMMARY:

The Finance Director is responsible for financial planning, budgeting, accounting, revenue administration, and payroll functions for the City. As the Department Head, the Director is responsible for planning, directing, and managing all activities, operations, and employees of assigned departments. The Director will coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies as necessary and will provide administrative support to the City Manager and City Council at a high level normally associated with the municipal responsibilities of a Department Head.

The Finance Director reports directly to the City Manager and directs the work of other administrative and support staff. This position has overall management responsibility for all aspects of the Finance Department and exercises independent judgment, initiative and common sense in administering the functions and responsibilities of the Finance Department consistent with City Council policies and administrative guidelines established by the City Manager. The Finance Director develops the financial report, the City's operating and capital budgets, and coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies. The Director is a member of the City's executive management team and must participate actively in addressing issues of concern to the City, as determined by the City Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare the operating and capital improvement budgets for the City; estimate anticipated revenues; assist in reviewing proposed budget allocations; conduct complex fiscal analysis and prepare related reports. Advise and provide professional and expert assistance to the City Council, City Manager, other City staff and the public regarding financial and purchasing ordinances, policies, procedures and regulations.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate the administration of the City's finance, and accounting; recommend internal control policies and implement procedures to conduct activities; ensure that activities are conducted in accordance with related laws, ordinances, rules and regulations; develop comprehensive plans to satisfy future needs for departmental services.
• Manage and direct the fiscal management of the City, including revenue forecasting, collection and disbursement of funds, accounting, financial reporting, auditing, and investment of funds. Prepare and compile annual budget and present to city council for adoption. Prepare and supervise the preparation of reports to the State Comptroller and other Federal, State or County agencies.
• Manage the investments of the City; purchase allowable investments and prepare all documents necessary to transfer funds and document all transactions; manage the preparation of monthly reports for City Council.
• Prepare, present, and be knowledgeable about City Council agenda items on financial matters and attend City Council meetings. Manage and participate in the City's annual financial audit; work with the City's independent auditor; assume responsibility for the development of the Annual Financial Report (including writing MD&A and compiling supplemental schedules).
• Directs the collection of city taxes, business taxes, city court fines and costs, beer permits, solicitation permits and taxi licenses. Directs the collection of utility billing revenue, utility deposits and delinquent utility accounts.
• Directs city payroll and accounts payable operations; Appraises and correlates the city's various insurance programs; manages the city's investment program and coordinates the issuance of municipal bonds.
• Administer contracts for department services such as copiers, fuel cards, etc. Manage city banking contract, initiate banking transactions, and serve as authorized check signer.
• Review posting, balancing, and reconciling of accounting transactions to ensure conformance with generally accepted accounting principles and standards. Represent the City, or delegate such authority, in relations with the community, advisory committees, other local, state and federal agencies and professional organizations.
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement and direct the implementation of improvements.
• Perform other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal finance, administration, and accounting.
• Knowledge of the functions, structure and operating routines of municipal government.
• Knowledge of the laws and ordinances relating to the management of accounting for municipal funds.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal budgeting.
• Knowledge of personal computer operating procedures and software (i.e. ERP systems).
• Ability to compile and explain complex financial data in a public setting.
• Ability to evaluate the work performance of others.
• Ability to work independently and be available to work flexible hours when necessary.
• Ability to plan, assign, supervise and evaluate the work of personnel engaged in a variety of financial, clerical, and related activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop sound fiscal systems and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the public and other co-workers.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Consistent, in-person attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in accounting, business, or public administration, or a related field.
• CMFO designation.
• Seven (7) years of broad, progressive experience in governmental or other financial administration.
• Five (5) years of considerable experience in a supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated experience with automated file uploads and electronic transmission of data.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• CPA
• Master's degree in finance or related field
• Ten (10) years of broad, progressive experience in municipality finance
• Seven (7) years of considerable experience in a supervisory capacity.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical: Work requires extensive use of a personal computer along with the ability to occasionally walk, squat, bend, use hands to operate, handle, or feel objects or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally be able to lift/move objects weighing up to twenty-five pounds. This position also requires visual acuity to read documents, computer screens/displays, keyboards, etcetera.

Environmental: Duties performed in an office environment; may require infrequent travel.

FULL TIME BENEFITS SUMMARY:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Paid Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Voluntary Benefits
• Pension and 401k Retirement Savings
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick time

City of Cookeville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring decisions are administered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:

Qualified individuals with known disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the Human Resources department at (931) 520-5289.

Successful applicants must pass a limited background check, pre-employment physical, and drug screen.