Comptroller (48721)

City of Covington•Covington, KY

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of Finance, the Comptroller oversees the City’s accounting, financial reporting, and internal control functions. The Comptroller manages the general ledger, monthly and annual close processes, and preparation of the ACFR while serving as the primary liaison with external auditors. The Comptroller develops and enforces accounting policies in compliance with laws, regulations, GAAP, and GASB standards and communicates goals and policies across the organization. The Comptroller Ensures accuracy in all financial transactions, maintains strong internal controls, and represents the Finance Director on matters affecting accounting operations while fostering effective relationships with staff, officials, auditors, and the public. This role is distinct from other financial management positions by its comprehensive responsibility for accounting and reporting rather than budgeting and forecasting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a closely related field is required.
Minimum of 5 years of related professional experience in areas of technical accounting, auditing, financial reporting, budgeting, purchasing, information systems, cash management, or financial management is required.
Supervisory experience is required.
Possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle license.
Thorough knowledge of accounting, financial reporting, and financial management principles and practices, including generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
Working knowledge of governmental fund accounting, internal control frameworks, and audit processes and standards applicable to municipal governments.
Ability to make prompt decisions on complex matters and make evaluations concerning day-to-day operations.
Ability to perform or supervise the performance of a variety of projects, receive unexpected priority assignments, and solve interpersonal or procedural problems simultaneously amidst frequent interruptions.
Ability to resolve complex problems which require the evaluation of alternative methods or solutions.
Ability to set objectives, delegate, and prioritize workflow in such a way that the overall mission and/or goals of the City/Department are met.
Ability to solicit cooperation from people and departments throughout the City.
Ability to plan, organize, supervise, and review the work of subordinate employees/supervisors.
Ability to exercise sound professional judgment, discretion, and independence in matters involving internal controls, irregularities, and the integrity of financial reporting.
Proficient in written and oral communication to handle sensitive projects and problems, develop strong working relationships with diverse groups, and communicate technical and financial concepts to others without a financial background.
Ability to add, subtract, multiple, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Capability to apply common sense understanding in order to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or closely related field is preferred.
Two or more years of experience in the administration of business/government financial systems and significant supervisory responsibility for professional and support staff is strongly preferred.
Active Licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is strongly preferred.
Certification as a Certified Public Finance Officer or Certified Government Financial Manager is preferred.
Proficiency with enterprise financial systems, spreadsheets, and data analysis tools; familiarity with emerging technologies relevant to accounting operations is desirable.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Responsibilities

Support the Director of Finance by managing departmental operations, evaluating and improving policies and procedures, and communicating goals to staff.
Oversee all accounting and financial reporting functions, including general ledger, month‑end and year‑end close, reconciliations, capital assets, debt, leases, grants, and fund reporting.
Direct preparation and publication of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) in compliance with GAAP and GASB standards.
Serve as the lead liaison to external auditors, coordinating annual audits, preparing required documentation, and ensuring timely resolution of audit findings.
Monitor, evaluate, and implement new accounting and reporting standards, and update policies, disclosures, and procedures to maintain compliance.
Maintain and strengthen internal controls, perform reviews and analyses for data integrity, and investigate financial irregularities.
Provide financial information and problem‑solving support to departments, evaluate financial systems, and lead staff training and technology adoption.
Contribute to development and monitoring of the City’s Operating Budget and Capital Investment Program through financial analysis and reporting.
Conduct research and analysis on financial policy issues, prepare reports, and respond to inquiries from officials, stakeholders, and the public.
Other duties as assigned.