What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director of Finance position at CITY OF SALEM TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS - CITY OF SALEM?
The City seeks a detail-oriented, personable and caring, and organized leader who will be actively involved in the City’s day-to-day financial operations while also guiding the strategic direction of the finance department. This role requires a professional with strong accounting skills, who will provide leadership and mentorship to the finance team, and who is dedicated to working with a close-knit and supportive staff. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting in planning, organizing, and directing the financial activities of the City, managing the annual budget process, managing the annual audit process and preparation of the annual comprehensive financial report, preparing and maintaining financial records and reports, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the general direction of the Director of Finance.
Please review the attached Recruitment Profile for more information:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:327490d2-de5b-4729-9df0-6b1f6ba5f628
APPLICATION PROCESS
To be considered, qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume, with salary expectations and professional references, to Karen Edmonds with the Berkley Group, via email at karen.edmonds@bgllc.net. While this position is open until filled, a formal review of applications will begin on April 27, 2026. However, please note that highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time. Timely submittal will ensure the most advantageous review.
Essential functions include:
- Supervises division managers and assigned staff;
- Supervises all accounting functions for both City and Schools;
- Manages the annual budgeting process with departments; makes changes in the financial software system during budget meetings and budget balancing process;
- Reviews annual personnel budget including cost of all fringe benefits;
- Participates in annual budget meetings with departments and work sessions with City Council; prepares/reviews sections of the budget book for proposed and adopted budgets;
- Develops revenue estimates for General Fund, and works with Director of Finance to balance the annual budget;
- Performs detailed review of City and School Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports prior to presentation to auditors; reviews custodial fund financial reports;
- Serves as the primary liaison with external auditors; manages the annual audit process; develops year-end audit schedules; monitors audit issues with external auditors; manages audit progress with internal staff; manages adoption of new GASB statements;
- Performs detailed review of monthly financial reports for all City funds including review of budget vs. actual, current YTD versus prior YTD; prepares financial transfers as needed;
- Supervises accounting staff; assigns, oversees, trains, and reviews the work of staff; rewards, disciplines, coaches, counsels, and evaluates staff performance;
- Reviews journal entries and various quarterly and annual reports prepared by accounting staff;
- Performs detailed review of payroll journal entries and reviews payroll changes report for City and Schools;
- Prepares Transmittal Letter and Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) for the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report:
- Reviews audit work papers prepared by accountants; prepares certain audit work papers including tax analyses;
- Maintains central Finance calendar of monthly report deadlines, grant report deadlines, and other deadlines related to the accounting function;
- Monitors financial position of health insurance plan for City and Schools; works with health insurance consultants;
- Performs special projects as needed; develops RFP for auditing services; participates on committees; works with IT staff to develop financial software; reviews financial policies prepared by accounting staff;
- Prepares a variety of financial reports for submission to the City Council;
- Coordinates and reviews preparation of actuarial study for Other Post-Employment Benefits as required by GASB for City and Schools; reviews Annual Cost Report submitted to Auditor of Public Accounts;
- Performs detailed review of bank reconciliations for the City’s two largest bank accounts;
- Serves a backup program administrator for the City’s purchasing card program;
- Schedules and attends weekly or biweekly update meetings with accounting and purchasing staffs;
- Presents financial information and reports to City leadership, City Council, School Board and other stakeholders as needed;
- Acts as the Director of Finance in her absence, ensuring the continuity of financial operations; and
- Any other duties as may be assigned.