Finance Director

City of Newport • City Hall, OR

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Finance Director is a senior member of the City of Newport’s executive leadership team and serves as the chief financial advisor to the City Manager, City Council, and department heads. The role oversees the City’s financial operations, provides strategic guidance on policy and budget decisions, and ensures compliance with Oregon budget law, municipal code, public procurement requirements, and applicable accounting standards.

The Finance Department manages the City’s annual budget of more than $135 million and oversees financial planning, forecasting, capital needs, utility billing, customer service, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, City-sponsored retirement plans, treasury management and investments, audit coordination, ACFR compliance, procurement, purchasing, and financial policy development. The department has a team of eight, including an Assistant Finance Director.

The Finance Director leads budget preparation and administration, financial reporting, audits, internal controls, and continuous improvement. The position provides oversight of utility billing, payroll, and accounting functions; supports departments with financial analysis, forecasting, and grant compliance; monitors financial trends; and advises on long-term fiscal strategy. The Director leads and develops the Finance Department team while promoting transparency, accuracy, and accountability in the City’s financial operations.

The position is primarily based indoors under usual office conditions. The employee must be able to work extended hours as needed, attend City Council and finance committee meetings, work a flexible schedule, and participate in evening meetings. A valid Oregon driver’s license is required at hire. Government Finance Officer training for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Auditing (CAFR) is required at hire, and Oregon budget law training is required within six months of hire. A CPA is desirable.

A typical qualification is a bachelor’s degree in accounting, public administration, or a related field, together with 10 years of related experience, including five years of supervisory experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may qualify. The City offers short-term relocation support to non-local hires, subject to availability, including a furnished apartment for up to six months and a partial rent subsidy for the first three months.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten years of related experience, including five years of supervisory experience, as a typical qualification.
• Deep knowledge of public agency financial management, Oregon budget law or comparable experience, GAAP/GASB standards, and municipal operations.
• Advanced knowledge of modern governmental accounting theory, principles, and practices, including GAAFR, GAAP, and GASB.
• Knowledge of internal control procedures, management information systems, office automation, computerized financial applications, payroll, and accounts payable and receivable functions.
• Knowledge of budgetary, accounting, and reporting systems; local government budget preparation and administration; management; conflict resolution; team building; supervision; training; and performance evaluation.
• Skill using personal computers, related software, and standard office equipment.
• Strong time management, analytical, organizational, and prioritization skills; customer service orientation; leadership, management, team-building, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex material clearly to varied audiences.
• Strong reasoning, analysis, and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment and professionalism.
• Ability to prepare and analyze complex financial reports and maintain effective financial systems and procedures.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with City management, employees, Council members, other entities, and the public; supervise staff; and elicit information and cooperation.
• Ability to work effectively in an intense environment with interruptions and conflicting demands, maintain confidentiality, work extended hours as needed, and participate in a flexible schedule and evening meetings.
• Physical ability to perform essential job functions, including operating a motorized vehicle.
• Valid Oregon driver’s license at time of hire.
• Government Finance Officer training for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Auditing (CAFR) at time of hire.
• Oregon budget law training within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation and administration of the City’s annual budget.
• Manage financial reporting, audits, and internal controls.
• Provide department-head oversight of utility billing, payroll, and accounting functions.
• Monitor financial trends and advise on long-term fiscal strategy.
• Lead and support the Finance Department team, including the Assistant Finance Director and departmental staff.
• Guide continuous improvement within the Finance Department.
• Support departments with financial analysis, forecasting, and grant compliance.
• Ensure transparency, accuracy, and accountability in financial operations.
• Advise the City Manager, City Council, and department heads on financial matters, policy, and budget decisions.
• Ensure compliance with Oregon budget law, municipal code, public procurement requirements, and applicable accounting standards.
• Oversee financial planning, long-term capital needs, treasury management and investments, City-sponsored retirement plans, procurement, purchasing, and financial policy development.
• Attend City Council meetings and other finance-related committee meetings, including evening meetings as required.

Benefits

• Short-term relocation support for non-local hires, subject to availability: furnished apartment for up to six months and a partial rent subsidy for the first three months.
• Professional development commitment.
• Collaborative leadership team and supportive City Council.
• Opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact in a coastal community.

What This Job Offers

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