Director of Finance

City of La Crosse • La Crosse, WI

14d

About The Position

The City of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is seeking a full-time Director of Finance to plan, organize, direct, and control the City’s financial accounting, debt management, treasury functions, purchasing, budget preparation and administration, payroll, and staff supervision. The position is designated a City Executive and carries administrative-level responsibilities for ensuring fiscally responsible City operations in accordance with applicable practices, standards, ordinances, and statutes.

The Director is appointed by the Common Council, is responsible to the Mayor and Finance and Personnel Committee, and works under the Mayor’s general supervision. The role requires complex judgment and decision-making. The hiring wage is $125,507.20–$143,748.80 depending on qualifications, with potential earnings up to $164,632.00. This is an exempt position.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, budget preparation and review, cost and fund accounting, financial reporting, and treasury functions.
• At least 5 years of management or supervisory experience.
• Current Certified Public Accountant license.
• Ability to communicate effectively with management, council members, and the public.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Experience with Microsoft products.
• Experience using integrated accounting systems, payroll systems, a tax collection system, and a County tax roll system.
• Ability to make complex judgments and decisions, set priorities, analyze financial information, and direct and supervise staff.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with City officials, the public, vendors, attorneys, auditors, financial institutions, and investment consultants.
• Ability to operate office equipment, including personal computers, telephones, calculators or adding machines, and related office machinery.
• Ability to perform sedentary-to-light work, including some lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling, and sustain prolonged visual concentration.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Previous governmental accounting or finance experience; candidates with comparable private-sector technical and management experience will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Manage the financial aspects of tax incremental districts, including state statutory compliance, required compliance audits, and financial analysis for proposed districts.
• Hire, place, evaluate, assign, and supervise staff and office operations for finance, purchasing, treasury, supply, and office machine functions.
• Oversee the external independent audit and publication of the comprehensive financial report.
• Oversee the central accounting system for all City departments and administer payroll.
• Provide financial analysis and advice to the Mayor, department heads, and Common Council on City proposals.
• Prepare and establish the annual tax levy, tax bills, and tax rolls; oversee distribution of tax payments to other jurisdictions and school districts.
• Monitor legislative and accounting requirements affecting City fiscal operations, including wage requirements, IRS rules, capital borrowing, property tax notifications, and tax collection.
• Oversee special assessment billing and collection.
• Administer debt service policy and the debt management plan, including capital borrowing, repayment terms, bond ratings, bond fund monitoring, disclosure, reporting, and budgeting.
• Provide accurate information about City fiscal functions to the public, news media, Common Council, Mayor, state agencies, and City departments.
• Prepare, oversee, and manage the City’s annual operating and capital improvement budgets.
• Oversee investment and disbursement of City funds under Wisconsin statutes and City policy.
• Oversee and direct bidding for City purchases.
• Maintain departmental records and protect confidential and proprietary information, including HIPAA and employee personal information.
• Maintain regular, punctual, and predictable attendance; work additional hours as required; and attend City Council and other required meetings.
• Provide oversight and internal controls for internal cash transfers and external payments.
• Oversee mail processing and distribution for City departments and grant administration in support of audit requirements.
• Pay and monitor outstanding debt and monitor industrial development revenue bonds.
• Oversee special trust, agency, expendable, and non-expendable funds, as well as special assessments, liability and workers’ compensation insurance, animal licensing, and in-house printing.

Benefits

• Medical benefit plan, with traditional and high-deductible options including an HSA.
• Wisconsin Retirement System participation, with a 7.20% employer contribution.
• Deferred compensation and Roth IRA.
• Life insurance and income continuation insurance.
• Voluntary dental and vision plans.
• 10 paid holidays.
• Vacation time available as of date of hire.
• Ability to earn up to 12 sick days per year.

What This Job Offers

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