Assistant Controller - Austin Financial Services

City of Austin•Austin, TX

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Controller serves as a key leader within the Accounting and Reporting Division of Austin Financial Services. This role oversees complex accounting operations, financial reporting, payroll, and other critical financial functions that support citywide operations. This position leads professional accounting teams and directs financial and accounting activities to ensure compliance with governmental accounting standards, payroll regulations, tax requirements, and applicable laws. The Assistant Controller also plays a central role in developing and implementing financial policies, improvements, and enterprise financial and payroll systems to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery while safeguarding the integrity of the City's financial operations.

Requirements

Knowledge of the preparation process for financial statements in conformity with governmental accounting standards.
Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards.
Knowledge of government/fund accounting.
Knowledge of financial reporting concepts and preferred business practices.
Knowledge of payroll tax laws, etc.
Knowledge of internal control systems used for general accounting principles.
Knowledge of estimating methods and statistical concepts.
Knowledge of the operation, applications, capabilities and requirements of automated support systems and equipment.
Skill in leading, managing and training a multi-disciplinary workforce.
Skill in analyzing complex financial data and proposing viable solutions.
Skill in preparing accurate and complex financial statements.
Skill in completing accurate data for records, reports and legal documentation.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
Ability to develop, implement and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient services for the City.
Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of established goals.
Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgement and discretion and maintain confidentiality of sensitive and/or confidential information.
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Accounting, Business, or Finance plus six (6) years of progressively responsible and broad-based professional experience managing accounting or financial reporting for a state or local government including two(2) years in a supervisory/management capacity.
Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration or other relevant field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of federal and state payroll tax regulations, wage laws, and public sector payroll requirements.
Experience implementing or optimizing enterprise financial systems and payroll/human resources systems.
Experience developing and implementing governmental accounting standards as well as financial policies, procedures, and process improvements.
The ability to travel to more than one work location.

Responsibilities

Directs the implementation and coordination of new regulatory standards (accounting standards, payroll laws, accounts payable laws, etc.), including the development of new procedures, policies and accounting practices across assigned area(s) of responsibility.
Directs, oversees and ensures coordination of activities between the various operational units reporting to this position.
Engages in initiatives to enhance efficiency and accuracy across financial functions, ensuring consistent application of financial policies and internal controls.
Initiates and develops improvements for existing programs, projects, etc.
Develops, prepares, reviews and analyzes financial summaries & reports, ensuring integrity of reporting and compliance with all relevant regulations.
Analyzes data/information for reports, cost estimates, etc.
Researches information as requested as needed.
Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.