Finance Director

City of Atlantic Beach•Atlantic Beach, FL

15d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Finance Director serves as the chief financial officer and key fiscal advisor to the City Manager, Mayor, and City Commission. This position manages financial operations, ensures the fiscal stability of the City, and safeguards public assets through robust internal controls, audit compliance, and multi-year financial strategy. Acting as both a strategic leader and an operational manager, the Finance Director provides hands-on administrative oversight over all core financial divisions and responsibilities -- including audit compliance, budget preparation, pension administration, accounting, procurement, grants, and utility billing and customer service. The position balances technical precision with clear communication, ensuring the City maintains long-term financial resilience while adhering strictly to principles of citizen service, public transparency, and open government. Advises the City Manager and elected officials on financial condition, budgetary matters, financial risks, policy alternatives, and long-term fiscal sustainability. This picturesque community, featuring 2.5 miles of white sandy beach near the bustling City of Jacksonville, has over 65 acres of parks and a small-town community that provides a friendly, supportive workplace with a focus on providing outstanding customer service to residents, visitors and employees. City employees enjoy excellent benefits, competitive pay and outstanding opportunities for training and advancement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, municipal accounting, or public sector budgeting, including substantial supervisory experience managing professional personnel.
Deep knowledge of GAAP, GASB standards, internal controls, and municipal audit procedures, alongside experience overseeing annual financial statement preparation.
Advanced skill in developing multi-year operating budgets, ten-year Capital Improvement Plans, and financial forecasting models.
Demonstrated ability to direct, mentor, and evaluate professional and administrative staff across diverse financial and operational divisions.
Practical skill in directing financial management software implementations, system modernizations, and process simplification.
Proficiency in translating technical fiscal data into clear, persuasive administrative reports, policy memos, and Commission presentations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration (MBA / MPA).
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license preferred.
Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO/GFOA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), or related professional credential is a plus.
Knowledge of Florida municipal finance laws, public procurement standards, Florida Sunshine Law, and public records requirements (Chapter 119, F.S.).
Ability to effectively explain financial data and fiscal policy during public Commission meetings, budget workshops, and citizen forums.
Knowledge of public grant accounting, compliance tracking, and municipal pension board operations.

Responsibilities

Lead the formulation, administration, and presentation of the annual operating budget and ten-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the City Manager and City Commission.
Develop dynamic multi-year financial models and optimal financing strategies for capital acquisitions, ensuring all expenditures serve a public purpose and comply with state laws.
Consult and coordinate with financial advisors, bond counsel, legal advisors, and investment managers regarding bond issuances, debt structures, and treasury operations.
Direct all municipal accounting procedures and financial policies in strict compliance with GAAP, GASB, and federal, state, and local regulations.
Oversee the preparation of monthly financial reports and the City’s Annual Financial Statements/Audit Report, maintaining a continuous, year-round culture of internal control and audit compliance.
Manage relations with external auditors to protect public funds, mitigate organizational risk, and consistently secure clean, unmodified audit opinions.
Directly supervise and mentor professional and operational staff across all departmental divisions and responsibilities -- including Accounting, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Purchasing, and Utility Billing and Customer Service -- establishing performance goals and workflows.
Provides functional leadership for the City’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) and financial management systems, including system governance, access controls, reporting, upgrades, testing, and user support and ongoing optimization of financial software, to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
Review organizational patterns and work relationships to promote effective operations through standardization; collaborate with operational department heads to assist with budget management.
Direct the activities of the pension boards and manage pension plan administration.
Translate complex financial reports, millage adjustments, and fund balance details into clear, accessible formats for elected officials, media, and residents.
Maintain continuous oversight of customer-facing functions (utility billing, fee collection, resident inquiries), ensuring services are prompt, courteous, and transparent.
May be required to work before, during, or after declared emergencies; maintain emergency financial controls and documentation; support cost recovery and reimbursement activities; and complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) training.