Finance Director

City of South Milwaukee•South Milwaukee, WI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision of the City Administrator, the Finance Director performs all functions and duties defined under Wisconsin State Statutes 62.09 (9) and 62.09 (10). This position is responsible for the administration and maintenance of detailed financial records and transactions. Principal duties include various complex and responsible finance, accounting, budgetary, and administrative duties requiring a thorough knowledge of finance and municipal accounting and organizational procedures and precedents in compliance with municipal code requirements and State of Wisconsin statutes. This position is administratively responsible for directing all operations of the Finance Office and serves as the department head of the Finance Office, overseeing two (2) FTE employees and one (1) part-time employee. Additionally, the Finance Director serves as the Deputy City Administrator, supporting, assisting, and advising the City Administrator on a wide variety of city issues and policies and providing positive leadership within the City in support of its goals, mission, and vision. This position qualifies as emergency personnel as permitted by Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.0502.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college or university in accounting, finance, business, or public administration, or a closely related field.
Five years of progressively responsible work in a municipal finance setting.
Wisconsin Certified Municipal Clerk/Treasurer designation, or ability to obtain.
Experience with general ledger, contract finance administration, payables, debt and TIF district administration, budgeting, cost accounting, receivables, and employee management.
Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of general, fund, and governmental accounting methods.
Knowledge of principles and practices of municipal budgeting.
Working knowledge of budgetary, accounting, and reporting systems, GAAFR, GAAP, and GASB.
Knowledge of internal control procedures, office automation, and computerized financial applications.
Thorough knowledge of strategic cash management and investment methodologies.
Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances related to the duties of the position.
Computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office software, LandNav and BS&A software, email, and internet.
Ability to independently conduct research to obtain relevant information through a variety of resources, compiling and organizing pertinent data and using various software to present graphs, charts, and exhibits to staff, the Common Council, or various boards or committees.
Ability to carry out all related statutory responsibilities and duties of a City Treasurer/Comptroller with a high degree of independence.
Excellent interpersonal skills and an approachable style.
Ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with all levels of city management, Common Council, other government officials, employees, contractors, developers, other agencies, and the public.
Ability to be bonded.
Current notary public commission or ability to obtain.
Possession of valid Wisconsin driver’s license or ability to obtain and willingness to use own transportation in the course of performing required duties (mileage paid); evidence of personal motor vehicle liability insurance as outlined in city policy.
Ability to exercise considerable tact, discretion, and problem-solving skills in dealing with sensitive, complex, and confidential issues.
Ability to provide truthful and accurate written and verbal communications.
Knowledge of sound management principles and ability to apply them.
Ability to appropriately delegate responsibility and lead coordinated efforts.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, speaking English fluently and using proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s Degree in a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs all statutory duties of the position of City Treasurer/Comptroller per State of Wisconsin Statutes and local ordinances.
Supervises the receipt and processing of payments from the public and various city departments on a daily basis including real estate and delinquent personal property taxes, water bills, special assessments, private lead service line invoices, insurance and other payments, various licensing and other fees and invoices, and various collections.
Monitors preparation of disbursements; counter signs water, library, payroll, and accounts payable disbursements.
Invests city funds and monitors investment activity; monitors daily bank balance for cash flow determination.
Analyzes present municipal accounting systems and develops new and revised procedures in fiscal accounting and internal controls.
Administers and maintains detailed accounting of financial transactions performed on behalf of the City; oversees financial transactions and prepares and posts monthly journal entries.
Develops financial studies and plans; forecasts, estimates, monitors, and reports on the financial condition of the City to assure the fiscal wellbeing of the City.
Coordinates with the City Administrator to create budget guidelines, strategy, and parameters.
Maintains budget credentialing through the GFOA.
Prepares all elements of the budget and related documents and is responsible for budget distribution.
Confer with and assist department heads in the preparation of annual departmental budgets and provide statistical data as requested.
Prepares monthly financial reports, balance sheets, revenue, and expenditure summaries; establishes and maintains general ledger accounts and activities.
Assures that bond/note debt payments are made and allocated to the correct general ledger accounts and set up new department or borrow general ledger accounts maintaining the correct account sequence for proper tracking.
Processes and maintains fiscal-related elements of all development agreements, special assessments, TIFs, bonds, grants, work orders and projects; provide the Utility with project and special assessment information as applicable; coordinate the preparation of bond issuance records.
Countersigns all contracts with the city upon verification of required funding and approval.
Provides auditors with timely and accurate information, collaborating with them for annual audit and other reports as needed.
Collects real estate and delinquent personal property taxes and reconciles collections; compiles and submits various reports throughout the tax collection process.
Supervises reconciliation of bank statements; tabulation of tax collections for disbursement; charge back delinquent personal property taxes; prepares refunds for overpayments.
Monitors and issues debt payments; provides information related to borrowing; acts as liaison with banking and brokerage officials.
Supervises billing of property owners for delinquent water bills, and tabulation of installments and interest of special assessments and special charges, and prepares data for tax roll.
Supervises billing and data entry on the tax roll.
Supervises preparation of real property status letters for title companies.
Oversees dog and cat licensing in accordance with state statutes.
Directs the work of Finance Office staff.
Prepares and posts journal entries, electronic funds transfers, wire transfers, and direct debit transactions as required.
Reconciles ambulance billing collection activity and oversees Tax Refund Intercept Program (TRIP) and State Debt Collection (SDC) programs entries and collections.
Maintains financial records and prepares financial reports as needed.
Maintains unclaimed property report and prepares report for county.
Assists the Common Council and City Administrator with recommendations and reports on matters within the scope of the Finance Office.
Performs confidential analyses of wage, benefit, and service change ramifications.
Responsible for ongoing evaluation and process improvement over the interrelated procedures between finance and other municipal departments.
Attends Common Council and Finance Committee meetings and attends standing committee meetings as needed.
Assists as needed in the event of city-wide emergency management activated events.
Assists the City Administrator in collective bargaining negotiations concerning fiscal impacts.
Assists the City Administrator in strategic planning efforts and identification and implementation of City priorities, such as those related to community and economic development.
Participates in development of procedures and policies.
Serves as acting City Administrator in their absence.
Maintains prompt, predictable, and regular physical attendance.
Performs miscellaneous research, studies, and reviews as assigned or as needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.