Controller

Controller

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

BARGAINING UNIT: NB FLSA STATUS: Exempt (Salary)

SAFETY SENSITIVE: No FINGERPRINTING REQUIRED: Yes

Under the general direction of the Financial Services Director or Deputy Financial Services Director, manages a wide array of accounting functions including payroll, accounting, accounts payable and treasury. Develops and maintains internal control systems, policies, and procedures. Serves as a liaison between the department and auditors, outside fiscal agencies, the public and other city departments.

Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation: If assigned, employees in this classification will be required to report and carry out duties as directed for the duration of an emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Plans, directs, manages, and supervises the work of professional and clerical accounting staff assuring work is performed in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles of the United States, departmental guidelines, and applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Designs and prepares financial reports, schedules, and statements as required to demonstrate financial conditions, compliance with legal and regulatory provisions, and reconciliation of accounting transactions and data.
• Manages the daily activities of the Payroll, Accounts Payable, Accounting and Treasury Divisions.
• Manages the City’s general and subsidiary accounting ledgers and systems, monthly and annual closings, trials balances, property/inventory control, budget control, project accounting, grant financial management, and financial reporting.
• Develops responses to all internal and external accounting audit findings and recommends corrective action to the Financial Services Director. Ensures corrective action is taken regarding these responses.
• Coordinates annual and forecasted budget estimate for revenues and expenditures with managed divisions; analyzes divisional staffing and operating needs; monitors and approves divisional expenditures.
• Coordinates with the external auditors and staff on the preparation of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the Charter School Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the Community Redevelopment Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, and the State Annual Report.
• Coordinates the preparation and distribution of state and federal reports, as required.
• Manages and ensures grant compliance with regulatory requirements and coordinates the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (“SEFA”).
• Evaluates internal controls, policies, programs, operations and implements and enforces internal accounting control.
• Coordinates and manages the implementation of new accounting standards imposed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
• Researches, reviews, updates and/or implements policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Coordinates and manages the design and development of, and acts as the departmental liaison with the Information Technology Department, in the acquisition of financial management systems.
• Prepares and reviews reports and analyses for management and other departments.
• Keeps current with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements and implements the new standards. Provides technical assistance to other City departments regarding fiscal matters, reporting requirements, and accounting policies and procedures.
• Evaluates assigned personnel for efficiency and effectiveness; initiates personnel actions of hiring, promotion, discipline, termination, training and development; resolves or refers personnel problems or grievances; directs and assigns work to employees that report to them; and provides technical support and guidance in their work activities.
• May assist with union negotiations, to include research, data analysis, suggestions, strategizing; may serve as management representative on labor relations team and participates in active negotiations at the bargaining table as needed.
• Participates in professional training meetings, seminars, conferences, etc., to stay current of best practices in government operations.
• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field.
• Seven (7) years of experience in government finance, accounting, financial statement preparation, or related field.
• Five (5) years of supervisory and/or managerial level experience.

Licenses or Certifications

• None.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS

• None.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in managing a large staff in the public sector.
• Certified Government Financial Officer (CGFO) and/or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

ADDITIONAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• GASB and GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
• Principles of effective administration, to include planning, directing, evaluating, and coordinating.
• Laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Financial, accounting, legal, budgeting, management, computer information systems principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of sound organization and of municipal management.
• Various reports, records and other documentation required to support municipal fiscal operations.
• Modern computer applications and is able to adapt to new software packages as necessary.
• Effective supervisory principles and techniques.
• Business English, the application of such to a variety of formats and styles, and editing principles and techniques.

Skill in:

• Both written and oral communications for effective expression and clarity in task assignment.
• Analytical processes.
• Organization and decision-making.
• Workload management to effectively organize multiple assignments, sometimes of a complex nature or involving competing priorities to produce work products that are accurate and on time.

Ability to:

• Perform all accounting-related functions for debt/treasury transactions.
• Learn the methods, procedures and policies of the Department as they pertain to the performance of the position.
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all required reports, records and related accounting documentation.
• Thoroughly research data and information to detect and resolve accounting discrepancies and inaccuracies.
• Relate to individuals in a way that facilitates direct and practical communications. Includes receiving direction and instruction from superiors and giving instructions and directions to personnel.
• Organize and present clearly, oral and written, reports of findings and recommendations. Is able to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
• Handle required mathematical calculations and communicate same to employees.
• Manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines. Ability to handle and deal effectively with multiple changing priorities as required.
• Train and evaluate the performance of subordinate personnel.
• Utilize a variety of modern office equipment, i.e., computers, facsimile machines, and copiers.
• Maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, personnel of other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation. Deal effectively with people at all levels.
• Manage projects/programs ranging from moderate to highly complex in nature delivering results on time and within resource constraints.
• Utilize computer technology for analysis and research.
• Effectively handle confidential material.
• Exercise judgment and make decisions in accordance with established laws, regulations, ordinances, departmental policies and procedures.
• Effectively convey ideas and information verbally and in writing using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience.
• Read and interpret various technical materials, ranging from moderate to complex terminology, associated with job functions.