Director of Finance/Comptroller

City of Stoughton•Stoughton, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Stoughton, Wisconsin, is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Director of Finance / Comptroller. This position supervises, directs, and is responsible for the overall accounting and coordination of the financial activities of all City departments. It provides high-level financial oversight, supports the Mayor, City Council, and City departments in budgeting, financial management, and reporting, and presents fiscal issues and recommendations to guide strategic policy decisions. The role also oversees the financial management, reporting, compliance, and long-term planning associated with the City’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Tax Increment Districts (TIDs). This position emphasizes work-life balance with flexible hours and scheduling options. The City of Stoughton is a welcoming, vibrant community known for its rich Norwegian heritage, historic downtown, and strong sense of local pride, offering stability and confidence for those looking to build careers in public service.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Financial Management, Public Administration or related field.
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible supervisory or management position related experience in accounting and financial management, preferably in a government environment serving as a finance director, assistant finance director, or manager.
Specialization in municipal accounting may be substituted for municipal accounting/finance experience.
The ability to independently initiate analysis and solve a variety of accounting and fiscal issues from both long-term and daily operational perspectives.
Significant knowledge of computer programs used in the municipal environment, including experience with automated accounting, financial and billing systems.
Advanced user of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint) preferred.
Knowledge of municipal accounting and auditing, including enterprise funds; considerable knowledge of Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS); considerable knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Knowledge of new Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards and ability to implement and maintain records in accordance with such.
Familiarity with State and Federal rules and regulations.
Proven success and experience in teambuilding and collaboration, and experience with effective supervisory/management techniques.
Understanding of effective customer service principles and techniques.
Must pass a background check, driver’s license verification, pre-employment physical, and drug screen.
Proven skills and five years of experience in the area of supervision and management, including participative management.
Ability to supervise the work of departmental staff, including coordinating, assigning, monitoring, and evaluating work; and developing, training, counseling, and disciplining staff.
Ability to positively motivate employees and create a teamwork-oriented, effective, and efficient work environment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Mayor, City Council members, department directors, staff, and the public.
Skill in effective, clear, and objective oral and written communications about the City’s finances to individuals and groups.
Ability to comprehend and interpret a variety of documents, including municipal and business financial statements, invoices, contracts, tax rolls, budget requests and amendments, audits, bank statements, budget documents, service contracts, state statutes, city ordinances, and policies, etc.
Ability to prepare a variety of documents with clear, comprehensive explanatory narratives to accompany budget documents, financial statements, and fiscal analysis.
Ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow instructions.
Ability to use and interpret legal and accounting terminology.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, calculate decimals and percents, and make use of the principles of descriptive statistics.
Ability to design and produce graphical representations of complex financial and performance data.
Ability to prepare accounting and financial data projections.
Ability to operate a variety of office equipment.
Ability to develop manual and computerized financial systems.
Proficient with Microsoft Office, e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Copilot.
Advanced skill set – Excel.
Understanding of the City’s political environment and sensitivities; ability to function effectively within that environment.
Ability to work effectively in an office environment.
Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions.

Nice To Haves

CPA, master's in accounting, or other related certifications desired.
Experience in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Responsibilities

Directs, coordinates, and supervises the Finance Department staff regarding the financial and accounting activities of the City of Stoughton.
Directs the preparation of the annual City budget, including advising the Mayor, City Council, and City department directors in the review of estimates and the preparation of individual departmental budget requests.
Reviews and oversees the annual City audits and submits all required regulatory/statutory reports.
Reviews, directs, coordinates, and supervises Special Assessments.
Reviews tax roll, special charges, delinquencies, and assessments.
Reviews tax roll prior to submission to the County Treasurer.
Oversees the preparation of Statement of Taxes, Levy Limit worksheets, and Expenditure Restraint reporting.
Performs Comptroller functions as required by State Statutes 62.09(10) and City ordinances, including submitting monthly reports on outstanding contracts and city funds, filing annual detailed statements of receipts and disbursements, examining treasurer's accounts, examining claims against the city, and countersigning contracts.
Maintains an accounting system for the City government and its agencies consistent with established and accepted municipal accounting principles and procedures.
Directs, coordinates, and supervises processing of accounts payable and accounts receivable, auditing of purchase orders, receipts, and disbursements, reconciling accounting records, and allocating payments.
Functions as a resource and support to enhance the department’s financial management capacity.
Maintains a system of budgetary control to ensure that expenditure does not exceed appropriations.
Directs the development and update of a Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, a Five-Year Financial/Operating Budget Forecast, and accompanying financing plans.
Provides the Mayor, City Council, and Finance Committee with timely and informative financial reports, statements, financial analysis, and fiscal projections.
Analyzes City debt structure and prepares recommendations for restructuring thereof; advises the Mayor and Finance Committee regarding debt management.
Coordinates a variety of special administrative projects, as assigned, including negotiation of contracts, leases, purchases, and land acquisitions.
Proposes recommendations to streamline and consolidate budget and accounting functions.
Coordinates activities of City Assessor contract compliance.
Administers the CDBG–Community Development Block Grant program.
Represents and oversees the City in all fiscal matters, excluding the Utilities Department.
Administers the investment of surplus City funds and documentation relating to the sale or renegotiation of stocks and bonds.
Administers the Firefighters’ Pension Fund and serves on the Firefighters’ Pension Board.
Attends City Council meetings and committee meetings as deemed necessary.
Serves on the Board of Trustees–Riverside and Wheeler Prairie Cemeteries.
Provides administrative oversight and reviews the financial activities of duly authorized volunteer organizations.
Keeps informed of new trends, developments, laws, and regulations that impact the finance and treasury functions of the City.