Deputy Finance Director (Internal & External)

Town of Taos • Taos, NM

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Town of Taos is hiring a full-time Deputy Finance Director for its Finance Department. The role performs administrative and technical financial-management duties to support the Finance Director in the department’s day-to-day operations, including planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating assigned specialty functions. Duties may include first-line supervision and advanced accounting work across general fund accounting, budget development, accounts receivable and payable, purchasing, grants accounting, fixed-asset tracking, payroll, and customer service.

The position supports the town’s accounting, budgeting, cash management, procurement, payroll, reporting, and audit activities. It assists with department supervision, staff training and guidance, internal controls, town-wide financial compliance, and coordination with external auditors. The Deputy Finance Director works under the general supervision of the Finance Director and may supervise Procurement Office staff or provide guidance to other finance staff.

The position is based in a typical climate-controlled office environment. The Town advertises an annual salary of $65,416 and a benefit package that includes full employee major-medical premiums with a choice of listed plans, New Mexico PERA retirement, personal leave, holiday pay, and employee development and training programs.

Requirements

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in finance, economics, budget, accounting, or a related field, and five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, budgeting, forecasting, or analysis-driven reporting; alternatively, an equivalent combination of education or experience.
• Two years of governmental accounting experience is preferred.
• Considerable knowledge of governmental accounting principles and practices, including GAAFR, GAAP, and GASB; New Mexico fiscal management laws and regulations; and legal issues related to town fiscal operations.
• Knowledge of public finance and fiscal planning, New Mexico and town procurement policies, town organization and operations, internal controls, budgeting, accounting, statistical procedures, and revenue sources.
• Knowledge of office practices, computer accounting applications, financial software, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, standard office equipment, mathematics, advanced accounting, communication, and public relations.
• Working knowledge of management, supervision, and employee motivation principles.
• Skill in diplomacy and cooperative problem solving and in maintaining effective working relationships with government officials, elected officials, staff, and town residents.
• Ability to analyze financial and accounting problems, make recommendations and revenue estimates, prepare and analyze complex financial reports, and make standard accounting adjustments.
• Ability to use personal computers and office equipment to produce formal documents, reports, and records, and to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with executive management, elected officials, supervisors, colleagues, and the public.
• Must be able to obtain all certification requirements under the cited state statute within one year of employment.
• Must be bondable.

Nice To Haves

• Preference may be given to applicants with accreditation through the New Mexico Public Procurement Association or NIGP – The Institute for Public Procurement.
• Two years of governmental accounting experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the town’s general ledger, post journal entries, reconcile accounts and bank statements, correct errors, complete month-end and year-end closing, and prepare periodic reports.
• Assist with annual town budget preparation, revenue estimates, department budget development, budget analysis, budget adjustment requests, investment reports, and related financial reporting.
• Manage municipal cash accounts and develop or maintain financial procedures and internal controls, including controls for receipts, investments, payments, procurement, and petty cash.
• Oversee and coordinate staff work on subsidiary ledgers and financial records; review work for accuracy, reconcile subsidiary information, and provide training and guidance to finance and other town staff.
• Receive, post, and process vendor and account payments, invoices, claims, vouchers, checks, bank transfers, and related records as assigned.
• Prepare regular and special financial reports, including annual financial reports, budget documents, and monthly reports, and explain financial information to town management and departments.
• Assist with internal audits, annual audits, external auditor coordination, audit field testing, year-end closing, and review of financial records and reports.
• Provide support and guidance for procurement, payroll, accounts payable, grants administration, accounts receivable, and related financial processes; monitor documentation, authorization, and compliance.
• Oversee the town procurement card program, including training, transaction balancing, and expenditure review; process travel requests under applicable law and town policy.
• Review and verify daily deposits from Utility Billing and investigate discrepancies using accounting records and supporting documentation; prepare correcting journal entries as needed.
• Assist with department supervision, performance and quality reviews, recruitment and selection, and recommendations concerning employee retention, advancement, discipline, and termination.
• Monitor revenues, expenditures, fund balances, purchasing activity, collections, and compliance with budgets; inform the Finance Director of shortfalls, overruns, and non-compliance concerns.
• Assist with payroll processing and accounting, including payroll tax withholding and payments, supporting documentation, and payroll report review.
• Reconcile parking meter revenue, including kiosk reports, mobile payments, card transactions, cash payments, merchant-service reports, and bank deposits; use revenue-tracking systems as needed.
• Participate in development of a town-wide asset management system and coordinate asset identification, assignment, control, audits, and record updates.
• Provide customer service and perform related office, records, filing, research, and financial problem-resolution duties.

Benefits

• 100% of the employee’s major medical premium paid, with a choice of listed State of New Mexico Blue Cross Blue Shield, Presbyterian, or United Health Care Gold HMO and PPO plans.
• New Mexico Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) retirement.
• Personal leave.
• Holiday pay.
• Employee development and training programs.
• Other benefits are mentioned but not specified.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior