Assistant Director of Finance

Town of Branford Job Announcement

Assistant Director of Finance

Department: Finance-Branford Town Hall

Position Status: Full-Time, Mon-Fri 40 hours

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm

Salary: $90,062 to $112,577

Union Affiliation: AFSCME Supervisors

Generous Employee Benefits

Outstanding professional growth opportunity

Send your resume and cover letter for immediate consideration to CAREERS@BRANFORD-CT.GOV

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Join the Town of Branford – A Premier Destination for Financial Professionals

The Town of Branford is seeking a seasoned financial professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about public service. This is your chance to contribute to a financial solvent, AAA Bond-rated municipality known for its commitment to excellence and fiscal responsibility.

Your Role

As a key member of the Finance Department, you’ll work closely with the Director of Finance to:

• Oversee and reconcile the Town’s accounting systems, controls, and regulatory compliance
• Manage investments, disbursements, and ensure budgetary accountability
• Provide expert guidance on municipal finance and accounting practices
• Strengthen internal auditing and compliance procedures across departments

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in municipal finance or public sector accounting
• Strong knowledge of budget preparation, financial controls, and auditing standards
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to team-based problem solving
• A desire to grow professionally in a stable and respected municipal town setting

Why Branford?

Branford offers a unique opportunity to apply your financial expertise in a town that values transparency, innovation, and long-term planning. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career, we invite you to apply and become part of our dedicated team.

Essential Job Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed below 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.)

• Supervise the daily operations of the municipal finance office and staff; assist in the development of short-term and long-range financial goals; prepare appropriate financial reports and statements. Fill in for the Director of Finance in his/her absence.
• Review and reconcile all accounts, fund transfers and transactions; prepare subsequent journal entries. Prepare weekly and monthly financial and budgetary reports to monitor expenditures and revenue.
• Review and approve journal entries as required for internal control.
• Prepare all necessary journal entries and/or payment requests for internal service funds, including, but not limited to, the Self-Insurance, Workers’ Compensation and Heart & Hypertension funds.
• Review, and if necessary, perform monthly bank reconciliations. 
• Approve purchases within established limits and oversee transport of daily bank deposits.
• Review, and if necessary, document all capital asset transactions for the Town to be following GASB 34.
• Interact with auditors on preparation of annual financial statements; prepare schedules for use in supporting documentation for external auditors, including schedules related to Tax, Sewer, Capital Assets, Capital Projects, Board of Education in-kind services and school construction.
• Assist with the procedures and preparation, review adjustments and final acceptance of the Town’ s annual operating and capital budgets; assist with the preparation of budget forms and calculations for department heads; review and analyze various department, commission and agency request for accuracy. Consult with department heads and other staff regarding budgets and financial issues.
• Serve as primary contact for all departments regarding Federal and State and Local grant and donations; establish expense tracking mechanisms, maintain vendor relationships. 
• Oversee bid process, including State and local postings of bid notices to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Participate in the process of debt issuance and other financing activities as needed.
• Monitor and evaluate internal controls and accounting processes to ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), regulatory requirements, and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) standards and best practices.
• Assist Human Resources, when requested, with self-insurance and risk management programs such as medical insurance, liability and property insurance and workers compensation.
• Oversee and coordinate financial system upgrades; act as project lead on finance-related IT initiatives. 
• Ensure timely posting of financial reports and budgets to the Town’s website.
• Prepare various state and federal reports for grantor agencies as required.
• Supervise, train, assign work, counsel and evaluate Finance Department employees; personnel functions are conducted with the approval and direction of the Director of Finance and First Selectman; ensure safe and productive working conditions for employees.
• Assist with the preparation and administration of the operating budget for the department.
• Attend board and commission meetings as required.

Other Functions:

• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.
• Continued professional development
• Assists other departments, offices or staff as needed to promote a team effort to serve the public

Supervision:

Supervision Scope: Performs responsible duties requiring independent judgment and initiative in planning, organizing and supervising the work of the office. Also performs a wide variety of special accounting, management and administrative responsibilities requiring extensive knowledge of automated and manual accounting systems, budgeting techniques and the appropriate application of fund accounting so as to achieve mandated performance criteria and to assist with managing the office.

Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the Director of Finance following professional standards, procedures and policies.

Supervision Given: Directly supervises the Head Bookkeeper, Accounts Payable and Purchasing positions. Develops job direction, assigns tasks, provides instructions as needed, and monitors performance.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

The qualifications required would generally be acquired with a bachelor’s degree in accounting or some closely related field and over 3 years of municipal experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and work experience.

Special Requirements:

Valid CT Driver’s License

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge:  Thorough knowledge of governmental accounting; thorough knowledge of computerized financial systems and spreadsheet applications in municipal finance; knowledge of practices and principles of generally accepted government accounting principles, including GASB; knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to municipal finance operations; knowledge of municipal budget procedures; knowledge of overall municipal operations, bonds, cash management, investments, pensions, self-insurance and health benefits.

Ability: Ability to develop short term and long range financial plans and analysis; ability to oversee and maintain detailed and accurate records using data processing; ability to learn new computer technology; ability to collect, organize, analyze and interpret complex financial data; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with town staff, and officials; ability to read and understand financial and legislative documents; ability to make presentations to elected officials and the public; ability to manage multiple priorities; ability to plan and prioritize department operations to meet established statutory deadlines; ability to assign, train, and supervise staff, ability to assist with the preparation and administration of an operating budget for the department and Town.

Skill: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; aptitude for working with people and maintaining effective working relationships with various groups; highly proficient skills in the use of office computers and financial software applications; skill in working with numbers, their calculation and significant detail; skill in using standard office equipment; skills associated with handling numerous projects at one time; skills associated with the supervision and training of staff; solid presentation and influencing skills.

Job Environment:

Managerial, administrative and other work is performed in moderately noisy or quiet office conditions. Coordination, reporting and presentations are conducted at the conference and in large meeting rooms. Attend meetings with various departments.

Requires the operation of vehicles, telephones, computers, copiers, facsimile machines, and other standard office equipment.

Makes frequent contact with other vendors and municipal departments specifically department heads, and occasional contact with Board of Finance, RTM, state agencies, bank officials, financial advisors, bond counsel, auditors, town attorney, other municipal finance directors and contractors and occasional contact with the public; communication is frequently in person, by telephone, fax, email in writing or at meetings. Contacts require a high level of persuasiveness and resourcefulness to influence the behavior of others or to resolve problems.

Errors in judgment or omissions could result in delays of services or rework, monetary loss, and legal ramifications.

Has access to confidential information such as personnel records, litigation, and collective bargaining issues.

The Town of Branford is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and Minorities Encouraged to Apply.