Controller

Job Description

This position works under the general guidance and direction of the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer to formulate, implement and enforce accounting policies, procedures, internal controls and ensure the integrity of the city’s financial operations.

The Controller works independently to develop and provide accurate and timely financial reports for both internal and external users in accordance with GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) and professional standards. The position under the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer's direction is responsible for preparation of documents used in the City’s annual external audit, preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and other financial reporting.

This position is given wide latitude in performing the responsibilities and exercising independent professional judgment. This position supports accounting management, internal controls and financial reporting. Manages journal entries, reviews accounting information for accuracy, assists with budgets, forecasting and compliance. Works closely with the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer to ensure compliance with regulations and accounting guidelines. Oversee the accounting team, enforce internal controls, implement accounting policies, practices and procedures. Works closely with an external auditing team on completing the financial audit and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Manages accounting team work schedules. The job oversees the reconciliation of cash on a daily and monthly basis, and the Treasurer’s Report for Council meetings. The position oversees the development of the annual Service Level Report. This position assists with preparation of the city's annual budget and budget digest, including assisting with interfund and transfer charges, assisting in the development of salary projections, and training staff on the development of the projection report and presenting information required by City Council.

The job requires attention to detail, the demonstrated ability to conduct detailed financial analysis and prepare periodic financial reports and projections, an attitude of cooperation, and the ability to work harmoniously with all levels of City employees, the general public and other organizations. This job reports to the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer and provides oversight to other staff in the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer's absence.

The work is conducted in a general office environment with stable temperatures and a moderate level of noise.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• The Controller is responsible for preparing the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the summary schedules with the assistance of staff. Coordinates the conduct of the annual independent audit of the City’s financial records between the City’s staff and the independent auditor and resolves auditor’s requisitions. Plans and executes preparation of the annual comprehensive financial report as required by Government Accounting Standards Board and bondholder covenants. This process involves all year-end procedures for closing funds in preparation to complete the financial statements. May delegate selected funds to other finance department staff for preparation; the incumbent retains overall responsibility and imposes will on the final product.
• The Controller is responsible for all accountants, overseeing and assisting with their workloads, including but not limited to, training, cross-training and providing necessary support to all accountants within the Finance Department, under direction of the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer. They also provide day-to-day supervision of the accounting clerks, including involvement in the hiring process, providing employee coaching and feedback, assigning of day-to-day and significant duties, input on disciplining and terminating employment; exercising independent judgment to direct others' work and having the authority to take corrective action; and, utilize people skills to communicate, motivate and direct or oversee staff.
• Assists the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer in the development of the City’s budget, including building and maintaining the personnel budget database, compiling and analyzing financial data, creating reports for publication, and assisting in developing budget instructions and formats.
• Conducts detailed financial analysis of budgeted and actual citywide or departmental costs and revenues on behalf of city departments and/or other budget staff, including complex cash reconciliation for multi-fund/multibank accounts, creates interfund and transfer charges, creates budget worksheets (such as the budget digest) and financial information reports for the service level reports. Produces the salary projection report. They are also responsible for overseeing all bookkeeping and any audits under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer.
• Assists departments with budget preparation, analysis, and composition. Analyzes user and operational needs and business requirements in order to develop or modify budget and finance systems. Trains and supports Finance Department staff and assists departments with budget questions and data entry.
• Develops and processes annual Census Reports. Monitors and provides oversight of Transit Grant Tracking. Provides grant management for the development of the SEFA Schedule. Develops ad-hoc COGNOS Reports for analytical purposes. Develops Extended Reports for specific report generation.
• Receives, analyzes and processes complex or specialized financial transactions. Ensures compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, completeness and accuracy. Verifies appropriate accounts affected by transactions processed to insure credit or charging and summarizes transactions and disposition for reporting and control purposes.
• Assists with banking functions including ordering bank supplies, and processing ACH wires and payments.
• May reconcile investment general ledger accounts to the investment system, reconcile interest income and interest receivable on investments quarterly. Responsible for performing budgeted transfers and interfund charge transactions, as well as special journal entry transactions as necessary.
• Assists the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer in the management of the fixed asset accounting module, including recording of asset additions and deletions. Ensures appropriate depreciation is applied and updates the database for input into the City’s financial records and annual reports.
• Provides general assistance with all functions and responsibilities within the Finance Department. Performs program administration duties related to the purchase card program.
• Researches current accounts, previous balances, source documents and related materials to develop specified information not readily available from standard reports.
• Represents the Finance Department at City Council meetings when the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer is not available or upon request from the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.
  
  

Other Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Performs complex accounting functions in connection with budget preparation, purchasing activities, payroll analysis and grants management.
• Processes and pre-audits accounting documents and transactions in conformance with established procedures and controls.
• Reviews, prepares, reconciles and supervises the preparation of complex financial reports.
• Reviews, reconciles and audits accounting records of receipts, disbursements and encumbrances to ensure fiscal accuracy and control.
• May supervise subordinate staff by delegating, planning, directing and assigning accounting work. Includes training, coaching, and evaluating staff performance.
• Performs fiscal year-end closing activities.
• Analyzes, recommends new or updated fiscal policies, procedures and internal controls and re-aligns business practices to improve operations.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and standards.
• Presents and explains reports to financial and non-financial managers, co-workers, and clients.
• May coordinate, define, develop and maintain financial data extracts, reports and interfaces.
• Participates in the identification of functional processing and reporting requirements, end-user testing and documentation, implementation support for financial processing and reporting systems.
• Participates in the identification, creation and maintenance of accounting codes and structures to ensure accurate recording, reporting and control in financial systems.
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Develops and processes annual Census Reports.
• Develops and produces AFAR schedules and works with the Auditor for completion.
• Develops and revises methods and procedures to establish and ensure system integrity and internal controls.
• May reconcile investment general ledger accounts to the investment system, reconcile interest income and interest receivable on investments quarterly.
• Provides general assistance with all functions and responsibilities within the Finance Department
  
  

Acceptable Experience, Training, Licenses And/Or Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Accounting, Business, or Financial Management is required;
• Master’s Degree preferred;
• Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Government Financial Manager, or Certified Management Accountant is required;
• Five years’ experience in public accounting or ten (10) years in governmental accounting preferred;
• Two years’ personnel management experience is preferred;
  
  

An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.

Classification Requirements

The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for an individual to satisfactorily perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be successful in the position.

Knowledge Of

• Modern principles and practices of municipal finance, accounting, budgeting, purchasing, internal control and investment;
• Standards for governmental accounting and generally accepted accounting principles;
• Municipal purchasing practices, laws and codes;
• Program analysis and forecasting;
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations;
• Accounting codes and terminology; state and federal accounting statutes and their application to work processes, policies, and requirements;
• Requirements and processing limitations of automated financial information systems;
• Municipal budgeting practices;
• Municipal investment principles and practices;
• Operation of standard office equipment and a personal computer and job-related software applications.
  
  

Skill And Ability To

• Exercise independent initiative and judgment in applying accounting procedures and agency standards to transaction processing;
• Use sophisticated financial and analytic software applications; use advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office products and specifically Excel;
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner;
• Demonstrate strong customer service principles including issue resolution;
• Maintain a collaborative and cooperative working relationship with elected and appointed officials, other City employees, and the public;
• Communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance;
• Complete assignments in a timely fashion;
• Understand and comply with all rules, policies and regulations;
• Maintain a professional demeanor at all times;
• Perform all duties in accordance with City policies and procedures with regard for personal safety and that of other employees and the public.
  
  

Physical Requirements

The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend, operate a computer keyboard or type, handle materials, or reach with hands and arms performing the essential functions of the classification. The duties require sitting for long periods, accessing stored file boxes and file cabinets and moving and organizing physical file materials. The employee must occasionally lift 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this classification include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, conduct research and inspect materials. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities required by this classification includes those which permit the employee to discern verbal instructions, communicate effectively in person, by telephone or electronic mail. While performing the duties of this classification, the employee works in an office setting where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

The City of Pocatello offers a generous benefits package to full-time employees:

• Medical
• Prescription
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• PERSI Retirement
• PERSI Choice 401(k)
• 457 Retirement Planning
• HRA VEBA Contributions
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Medical
• Dependent Care
• Vacation Time
• Sick Time
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Education Assistance
• Employee Wellness Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer
  
  

Company Description

Nestled in the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains, Pocatello offers a perfect blend of work and play. With a semi-arid climate, you can experience the best of all four seasons, from hiking and skiing to fishing and camping. Plus, you're just a short drive away from Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Lava Hot Springs, and other must-visit destinations.

All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.