Assistant Finance Director

City of Rocky Mount•Nc, NC

About The Position

The Assistant Finance Director is responsible for the City’s financial accounting and purchasing functions, including staff supervision and training, monthly and fiscal year-end close, financial reporting, audits, and compliance with procurement regulations and the North Carolina Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. The role provides oversight, direction, and strategic guidance for the City’s financial activities and supervises the Payroll, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Grants, and General Accounting units. The position oversees statutory, grant, compliance, statistical, and managerial reporting; the annual independent audit and preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report; internal controls; and adherence to GAAP and GASB standards. In partnership with the CFO, the Assistant Finance Director develops and implements long-term financial initiatives and serves as a backup for the CFO and other key Finance Department roles. The role also oversees City bank accounts, staff and division resources, the Accounting division budget, general ledger accounts, financial software closing periods, requisitions, journal entries, and audit workpapers. It provides accounting and software training and procedural guidance to City employees, researches accounting standards, participates in technology governance groups, and develops improvements to division operations. A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field is required, along with five years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, public finance, or business management, including three years of supervisory experience. The employee must hold a North Carolina CPA license in good standing or be licensed in good standing in another state and become certified in North Carolina within one year of hire. The role also requires the ability to be bonded and a valid North Carolina driver’s license. Work is typically performed in an office, with occasional travel for meetings and conferences. Extended hours may be required during budget cycles, financial reporting periods, or as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, public finance, or business management.
Three years of supervisory experience.
Must be a North Carolina CPA in good standing, or a CPA in good standing in another state with the ability to become certified in North Carolina within one year of hire.
Ability to be bonded.
Valid North Carolina driver’s license.
Knowledge of public finance, budgeting, accounting, debt management, government accounting requirements, GAAP, GASB guidelines, governmental accounting and financial reporting, internal financial controls, and budgetary policies and procedures.
Ability to import financial information from multiple sources into the main financial software system and validate the ledger.
Ability to work across multiple software applications and skill in financial computer software.
Skills in personnel supervision, problem analysis, report preparation, policy and procedure development, mathematical calculations, and use of computers and standard office equipment.
Ability to establish cooperative working relationships and effective interpersonal relations; communicate orally and in writing; identify complex problems and implement solutions; and manage competing priorities under strict deadlines.
Ability to use logic and reasoning to assess alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches.
Skill in developing, coaching, and mentoring staff through consistent feedback and clear direction.

Responsibilities

Provide oversight, direction, and strategic guidance for the City’s financial activities.
Supervise the Payroll, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Grants, and General Accounting units and their related accounting activities.
Deliver clear, timely, and transparent financial analysis.
Oversee internal and external financial reporting, including statutory, grant, compliance, statistical, and managerial reporting.
Oversee the annual independent audit, including preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, internal controls, GAAP compliance, implementation of GASB guidelines, and audit coordination.
Partner with the CFO on long-term financial initiatives and serve as backup for the CFO and other key Finance Department positions.
Oversee City bank accounts, reviews, internal controls, and safeguarding of funds.
Direct, assign, prioritize, evaluate, and develop accounting staff and division resources.
Train City employees on accounting processes, requirements, and financial software; provide professional development, training classes, and procedural guidance.
Prepare, submit, and administer the Accounting division’s annual budget and monitor expenditures for compliance with budget restrictions.
Manage the General Ledger master and ensure new accounts are created and configured in accordance with accounting practices and the chart of accounts.
Open and close monthly periods in the financial software system.
Process and approve Accounting Division requisitions.
Create and post journal transactions and prepare workpapers and complex audit work.
Respond to internal and external customer inquiries, requests for financial information, and issues; provide financial or procedural instructions.
Research current and emerging accounting standards and communicate relevant information and recommendations to staff and the CFO.
Participate in advisory and governance groups related to division technology and ensure key applications are current and functioning.
Formulate and implement ongoing improvements to division operations and work quality.
Perform other related duties as assigned.