Finance Director

CITY OF WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND

Personnel Division

EMPLOYMENT ADVERTISEMENT

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Reporting directly to the Mayor, the Finance Director is a high-level position responsible for departmental administration of all municipal financial functions which include accounting and controls, financial reporting and audit, budgeting, accounts payable/receivables, payroll and personnel, tax collections and treasury, tax assessment, and purchasing.  Provides an expert resource for city departments and policymakers regarding financial matters and is responsible for establishing and executing financial policies and procedures according to generally accepted accounting standards, and local and state law. Specific duties and responsibilities are included, but not limited to, the following:  the over planning, organizing and supervision of the Finance Department to include property tax assessment, tax collection, disbursement of funds, accounting, financial reporting, investment of funds, payroll and personnel.  Coordinates the annual budget for the City of Woonsocket, projecting revenues and expenditures, property tax rates, as well as the development of the capital improvement plan.  Monitors fiscal performance versus budgeted line items.  Prepares monthly, annual and project specific reports as needed.  Oversees all auditing functions and is a point of contact with auditors and government agencies.  Participates in labor negotiations, analyzes proposals and prepares fiscal statements.  Oversees the City’s IT and risk management functions.  Prepares and presents legislation dealing with financial matters for City Council hearings, attends City Council meetings regularly.  Ensures that all services and capital items are procured in conformance with City and state purchasing rules and regulations.  Other duties as required.

A bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, public finance, or a related field.  A minimum of five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience with at least three (3) years of supervisory responsibilities, preferably in a municipality or state agency, in accounting, finance, treasury, auditing, budgeting, or other related work, is required.  Other combinations of education and work experience that provide the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the functions of the Finance Director will be considered.  A complete job description is available in the “Employment” section of the City’s website:  www.woonsocketri.org.

Application Deadline:     Open Until Filled

Classification:     Non-Union/Non-Classified

Salary:     $110,000/Year

To Apply:  The City of Woonsocket offers a competitive benefit and compensation package.  Please forward your completed application and resume to Nikki Aphonphanh, Personnel Division, City of Woonsocket, 169 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895.  You may send your information electronically to naphonphanh@woonsocketri.org.

A City of Woonsocket Application for Employment must be completed and one can be obtained by visiting the “Employment” section of the City’s website at www.woonsocketri.org.

JOB TITLE:                              Finance Director

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:   Finance Department

PAY GRADE & HOURS:        Grade U3 / 40-hour workweek

UNION:                                      Non-Union/Non-Classified Plan

POSITION SUMMARY:  Reporting directly to the Mayor, the Finance Director is a high-level position responsible for departmental administration of all municipal financial functions which include accounting and controls, financial reporting and audit, budgeting, accounts payable/receivables, payroll and personnel, tax collections and treasury, tax assessment, and purchasing.  Provides an expert resource for city departments and policymakers regarding financial matters, and is responsible for establishing and executing financial policies and procedures according to generally accepted accounting standards, and local and state law.

DUTIES:

• Plans, organizes, and supervises the operation of the Finance Department, including property assessment, tax collection, disbursement of funds, accounting, financial reporting, investment of funds, payroll, and personnel.
• Coordinates the annual municipal budget including projecting revenues and expenditures, setting property tax rates, and developing the capital improvement plan.
• Monitors actual fiscal performance against budget line items, initiating remedial actions to improve negative variances.
• Prepares financial reports, including monthly, annual, and project-specific reports.
• Assists in formulating the City’s financial policies and procedures in conformance with GASB and GAAP accounting rules, and applicable city, state, and federal laws.
• Oversees and manages all external auditing functions; serving as the point of contact with auditors and government agencies.
• Works with other city departments on fiscal management of grant funds, reporting, and tracking.
• Oversees the City’s issuance of general obligation debt, including coordinating with financial advisors and legal counsel, and preparing financial statements and projections for prospective investors.
• Participates in labor contract negotiations, analyzes proposals, and prepares fiscal impact statements.
• Oversees the City’s IT and risk management functions.
• Helps prepare and present legislation dealing with financial matters for City Council meetings, and attends City Council meetings regularly, advising on financial issues when asked.
• Ensures that services and capital items are procured in conformance with city and state purchasing rules and regulations.
• Performs other duties as required.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:  A bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, public finance, or a related field.  A minimum of five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience with at least three (3) years of supervisory responsibilities, preferably in a municipality or state agency, in accounting, finance, treasury, auditing, budgeting, or other related work, is required.  Other combinations of education and work experience that provide the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the functions of the Finance Director will be considered.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

         Knowledge of:

• Advanced governmental accounting rules and procedures, and their application to a wide variety of governmental operations.
• Government finance and accounting rules, policies, procedures, and practices including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements.
• Property assessment and tax collection.
• Computerized systems for accounting, tax assessment, tax collection, and payroll/personnel.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Internal controls and audit procedures.
• Principles, practices, laws, and regulations governing the investment of public funds.
• Payroll and personnel procedures, including union contract interpretation.
• Municipal purchasing and contracting principles and practices, including competitive bidding procedures.

         Ability to:

• Provide direction and leadership for the Finance Department.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of department personnel.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate a wide range of municipal financial issues.
• Maintain detailed accounting and financial records.
• Prepare and administer complex budgets.
• Develop and implement financial procedures and controls.
• Interpret, explain, and apply local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Identify and respond to issues, concerns, and needs of other city departments, and the City Council.
• Work independently, or in a team environment.
• Attend night City Council meetings or other events and meetings outside of business hours.

         Skilled at:

• Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel and Word.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Oral and written communication.
• Meeting deadlines.

An Equal Opportunity Employer