Assistant Director-Business Services

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Assistant Director – Business Services is head of the finance and customer service functions of the Utility and, as such, performs and/or supervises complex professional, supervisory, administrative, and technical accounting, financial and customer service functions necessary to maintain the accounting and financial records and the customer service and utility billing systems. Organizationally, the Assistant Director - Business Services is staff to the Utilities’ Director; however, with respect to accounting and necessarily related matters, the Assistant Director - Business Services functions independently in the sense that the incumbent must act within the ethical and professional rules of the profession, and may not be directed to act contrary to those rules. All such accounting matters are the responsibility of, and under the direct authority, of the Assistant Director - Business Services. This position reports to the Director of the Utility.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

· Plans, organizes, and directs accounting, budgeting, auditing, purchasing, investment of funds, revenue administration, cash management, inventories, fixed assets, customer billing, customer service, and meter reading

· Audits and exercises budgetary control over payment of bills, invoices, payroll, debt service, and all other payments.

· Directs implementation of accounting and utility billing systems and procedures.

· Develops and maintains adequate internal control procedures for financial functions including adequate separation of duties.

· Coordinates and implements financial policies and procedures including but not limited to all accounting cycles and related functions, cash management, bonded debt, and grant management.

· Interprets financial condition and makes recommendations for change as necessary.

· Compiles and submits various financial reports and surveys required to comply with federal and state requirements and those of various financial institutions such as rating agencies, banks, and bond trustees.

· Oversees the accounting functions for the Utility’s financial transactions as recorded to the general and subsidiary ledgers, including payroll, accounts payable, utility billing, accounts receivable and cash receipts.

· Ensures compliance with statutory requirements, rules and regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles and practices.

· Oversees the Utility Billing function for water and sewer and directs staff in dealing with billing cycles, customer service issues, and meter reading issues.

· Prepares financial statements and reports reflecting the financial standing of the Utilities

· Directs the annual audit, including preparation and review of financial year-end work papers and serves as staff liaison with the independent auditor.

· Maintains supporting records of financial transactions.

· Provides for the custody, handling and safekeeping of cash.

· With input from the Utility division managers and in cooperation with the Director, directs and/or prepares the division and Utility budget

· Establishes policies and procedures for investments.

· Works with financial advisors, bond attorneys, and underwriters on Utility bond issues.

· Directs physical inventories of the Utility’s property and stores.

· Serves as technical and professional finance advisor and provides support to the Director of the Utility.

· Attends meetings, conferences and seminars.

· Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

· Principles and practices of general, fund, and governmental accounting including financial statement preparation and methods of financial control and reporting;

· Principles and practices of cost and fixed asset accounting;

· Internal control and audit principles and practices;

· GAAP, GASB and GFOA accounting standards and requirements;

· Principles and practices of municipal budgeting;

· Laws and ordinances relating to the financial administration of public agencies;

· Practices and methods of public agency financing;

· Principles, practices, laws and regulations governing the investment and management of public funds;

· Principles and practices of business data processing particularly related to the processing of accounting and financial information;

· Principles and practices of public administration, including purchasing and contracting and the maintenance of public records;

· Principles and practices of management and supervision;

· Principles and methods of accounting for water and sewer billing.

Ability to:

· Analyze and make sound recommendations on complex financial data and operations;

· Demonstrate written and oral communication skills and supervisory/leadership skills;

· Organize and prioritize work;

· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Director, division heads, auditors, bank personnel, peers in neighboring cities, and the public;

· Demonstrate skill in use of computers, 10-key calculator, financial software, spreadsheets and word processing;

· Develop and implement financial and utility billing procedures and controls;

· Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with the public as well as with sensitive, complex and confidential issues.

Training and Experience

· Bachelors degree in accounting, finance, or business administration and five years progressively responsible experience in municipal accounting or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the above described duties;

· Experience should include hiring and evaluation of accounting and financial professionals and other accounting staff and direct supervision of other professional and/or management staff;

· Experience should include work with accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchase order, and payroll systems demonstrating ability to oversee and supervise technical and clerical staff performing those duties.

Certificates; Licenses; Special Requirements

· Preferred license as a Certified Public Accountant;

· Valid driver’s license for state of residency.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, an employee is regularly required to sit; talk or hear, in person, in meetings and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to walk and stand. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to occasionally attend evening meetings and to travel within and out of the City to attend meetings. Shall be able to lift light weight.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communications skills; read and interpret complex data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations; use math and mathematical reasoning; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks with constant interruptions; work under intensive deadlines and interact with management, outside auditors, consultants and vendors, representatives of other governmental agencies, employees and the public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

EMPLOYEE CONFIRMATION

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $78,852.80 - $106,454.40 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $78,853 - $106,454