Deputy Director of Finance

City of Barstow•City Hall, CA

About The Position

The Deputy Director of Finance works under the general direction of the Finance Director as the Finance Department’s second-in-command. The role assists with planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating the City’s comprehensive financial operations and provides executive-level leadership across accounting, budgeting, treasury, investments, debt administration, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, utility billing, purchasing, grants, audits, and financial reporting for the City, Successor Agency, and special districts. The position exercises substantial independent judgment, advises executive management and the City Council on complex fiscal matters, and serves as Acting Finance Director in the Director’s absence or as assigned. The Deputy Director develops financial policies and controls, manages assigned divisions and staff, oversees budgets and accounting operations, and supports long-range fiscal planning and financial sustainability. The position ensures compliance with accounting standards, laws, regulations, grant conditions, bond covenants, and City policies; coordinates audits and financial reporting; and presents financial analyses and recommendations to elected officials, executives, boards, and other stakeholders. Work is performed primarily in an indoor office environment. The role may involve evening meetings, travel to off-site locations, and occasional work outside normal business hours during budget preparation, audits, emergencies, or critical deadlines. The position may require sitting for extended periods, standing, walking, reaching, bending, lifting, grasping, repetitive hand movement, speaking, hearing, and seeing. Light work may require exerting up to 20 pounds occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, including transporting financial records, reports, or equipment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required qualifications.
Six years of progressively responsible professional experience in governmental finance, accounting, budgeting, auditing, or a related field.
At least three years of supervisory or management experience.
Knowledge of GAAP, GASB pronouncements, governmental fund accounting, municipal budgeting, financial forecasting, treasury, cash management, investments, debt administration, and revenue management.
Knowledge of financial statement preparation, audit coordination, internal controls, fraud prevention, and risk assessment.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local requirements for municipal finance, grants, payroll, purchasing, and public agencies.
Knowledge of public-sector financial management systems, ERP systems, data analysis, public administration, organizational management, strategic planning, policy development, and performance measurement.
Knowledge of public purchasing, contracting, grant management, records management, and debt and investment administration.
Knowledge of advanced research, financial analysis, forecasting, problem solving, presentation methods, leadership, supervision, training, employee development, performance evaluation, and progressive discipline.
Ability to analyze complex fiscal, accounting, operational, and organizational issues; evaluate alternatives; quantify impacts; and develop defensible recommendations.
Ability to prepare and present clear, concise, comprehensive budgets, financial statements, reports, policies, forecasts, studies, and other written and oral materials.
Ability to accurately interpret and apply laws, regulations, accounting standards, contracts, policies, and procedures.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, executives, employees, auditors, financial professionals, agencies, labor representatives, vendors, and the public.
Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate multiple programs, projects, and priorities and coordinate across departments and agencies.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, maintain confidentiality, communicate effectively, and represent the City professionally in sensitive or high-level settings.
Ability to use complex financial and accounting systems, spreadsheets, reporting tools, and other technology.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the classification with or without reasonable accommodation.
Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California Driver’s License may be required.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree.
Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).

Responsibilities

Assist the Finance Director with departmentwide leadership and manage assigned Finance Department programs, services, and activities; act as Finance Director in the Director’s absence or as assigned.
Develop, implement, and evaluate financial policies, procedures, internal controls, and performance measures.
Plan, organize, direct, and review the work of assigned divisions and staff; establish priorities, allocate resources, and support financial and customer-service functions.
Select, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate personnel; set performance expectations and address performance and conduct issues, including corrective or disciplinary action as appropriate.
Lead and participate in development, administration, monitoring, and long-range forecasting of operating and capital budgets; prepare projections, reconciliations, variance analyses, and budget-adjustment recommendations.
Oversee procurement and purchasing policies and processes, contracts, purchase orders, vendor compliance, and related controls.
Direct financial forecasting and multi-year fiscal planning, evaluate resource and service needs, and analyze fiscal impacts of proposed programs, agreements, and policies.
Review and approve expenditures and financial transactions within delegated authority; recommend and implement budget amendments and corrective actions.
Oversee accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, cash receipts, utility billing, fixed assets, and reconciliations.
Coordinate preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and other financial statements and reports; manage audits, respond to findings, and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
Oversee Citywide grant financial management, including budgeting, reimbursement, reporting, compliance, closeout, and audit support.
Ensure compliance with accounting principles and standards, government requirements, bond covenants, grant conditions, City policies, and applicable financial and employment regulations.
Prepare and present financial analyses, budget recommendations, staff reports, policies, and presentations for the City Council, City Manager, executive management, boards, commissions, and other stakeholders.
Represent the Finance Department with officials, departments, auditors, financial institutions, bond professionals, agencies, consultants, community organizations, and the public.
Monitor legislative, regulatory, economic, and professional developments affecting municipal finance; recommend changes and participate in professional organizations and training.
Provide strategic and technical direction on treasury and cash management, investments, debt administration, revenue collection, rate and fee analysis, financial systems, and enterprise resource planning improvements.
Lead or support financial-system implementations, process improvements, emergency financial operations, and special projects assigned by the Finance Director or City Manager.
Evaluate financial policies, fees, rates, cost-allocation plans, and long-term liabilities and recommend strategies for financial sustainability.
Assist in administering the City’s investment portfolio and debt obligations; coordinate with trustees, fiscal agents, underwriters, financial advisors, and bond counsel as assigned.
Perform other related duties as assigned.