Comptroller

Job Summary

The City of Dearborn Heights is looking for an experienced leader to serve as Comptroller for Finance Department. The position reports to the Mayor, as a member of the leadership team, and is responsible for day-to-day supervision of department. The successful candidate will be creative, team-oriented, and knowledgeable with a passion for developing others. Candidates must be knowledgeable of and experienced with municipal accounting, pension, labor negotiations, annual financial audit, and long-term financial planning.

The City of Dearborn Heights is a public corporation. The employees of the City are required to serve citizens and customers in a tactful, courteous manner; establish and maintain good working relationships with staff, directors, elected officials, and general public. This position requires excellent communication skills. Employees in this position must demonstrate honesty and integrity.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the finance department with the implementation of best practices and continuous quality improvement to ensure the City’s fiscal well-being and delivery of services;
• Actively involved on daily basis in the management of department; oversee management of all major financial proceedings; provide general accounting services to all departments; oversee payroll administration; develop and implement department goals;
• Coordinate and develop annual budget process; facilitate input from all departments; forecast and analyze revenue and expense projections; prepare formal presentation for Council and public;
• Participate in contract negotiations; prepare financial forecasts; analyze proposals and prepare responses;
• Develop and implement financial policies, program, organizational and departmental plans;
• Maintain chart of accounts, make journal entries, maintain list of fixed assets and other account reconciliations;
• Identify operational problems and formulates appropriate solutions;
• Review, interpret, and implement new and revised legislation and regulatory developments;
• Pursue continued education and professional growth;
• Assist auditors with completing annual audit;
• Prepare reports & correspondences;
• Assist with the payouts for retirees, resignations and terminations as outlined in negotiated contracts;

Environmental Conditions and Equipment Used

• Exposure to indoor weather conditions that may include temperature changes and moderate noise level
• Uses tools and equipment that are relative to the position, including auditing machine, cash registers, forms, charts, schedules, etc.

SPECIFICATIONS (Skills, Mental and Physical)

• Must have the ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve problems and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form
• Must be able to read at a level to understand procedures and methods related to the job, as well as communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Must have math ability that includes algebra and geometry skills
• Must be able to complete sedentary work that involves primarily sitting for long periods of time, but also includes walking or standing for short periods of time
• Must be able to complete work duties that include reaching, handling, fingering, feeling and repetitive motions
• Must have hearing to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and receive detailed information through oral communication and/or make fine distinctions in sound
• Must have visual acuity for determining accuracy, thoroughness of work and observation of general surroundings and activities
• Must be able to adapt to changing situations, work well with others and participate in a team-oriented environment
• Must be able to be customer oriented and maintain excellent customer service
• Must be able to pass a written civil service test, an oral board exam, background check, and physical including a drug screen.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Public Administration or related field required; MBA, Masters Public Administration, or CPA preferred;
• Minimum 5 years in municipal accounting or finance position with increasing scope & responsibilities;
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience required; within a union environment preferred
• Excellent organizational skills; attention to detail; analytical and problem solving;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Strong leadership abilities including motivational and goal setting strategies;
• Proficient with MicroSoft office suite or related software;
• Proficient with accounting software applications; BS&A preferred but not required;
• Extensive knowledge of payroll function, preparing, balancing, internal controls, and payroll taxes
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical, including drug screen, and background check.