Finance Director

City of Sierra Madre•Sierra Madre, CA

79d

About The Position

The City of Sierra Madre is seeking an experienced, hands-on financial leader to serve as its next Finance Director. Reporting directly to the City Manager and serving as a member of the Executive Management Team, the Director provides strategic leadership for the City's financial planning, reporting, and long-term fiscal sustainability. This role oversees the daily and long-range financial operations of the City and supports the implementation of City Council priorities through clear, data-driven analysis. The Finance Director leads and mentors a dedicated team, ensuring the timely and accurate completion of accounting functions, payroll, purchasing, utility billing, and the preparation of required financial reports. The Director plays a central role in developing the annual operating and capital budgets, preparing midyear and year-end updates, managing audit compliance, and maintaining strong internal controls. This hands-on position requires balancing daily operational oversight with long-range forecasting, risk management, and the ability to meet tight, cyclical deadlines.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field is required.
The position requires a minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, finance, or public sector financial management, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory, administrative, or management capacity.
A valid Class C California driver's license.
Principles and practices of governmental accounting, GAAP, and GASB standards
Budget development, monitoring, and administration (operating and capital budgets)
Fund accounting and cost allocation principles for municipal operations
Financial reporting and audit preparation, including the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
Revenue sources for California cities (property tax, sales tax, user fees, enterprise funds, etc.)
Treasury, investments, and cash management practices
Debt financing, bonds, and long-term capital planning
Procurement and purchasing laws and policies
Payroll, benefits accounting, and internal controls
CalPERS and other pension accounting standards (GASB 68)
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the California Government Code, Brown Act (as applicable to finance), and Prop 218/26
Analyze complex financial and operational data and make sound, data-driven recommendations
Develop and implement policies that enhance transparency and accountability
Manage multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities
Maintain confidentiality and professional integrity
Build trust and effective relationships with elected officials, department heads, auditors, and the public
Adapt to changing fiscal, regulatory, and technological environments
Exercise independent judgment within established policy frameworks
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Ensure the timely reporting of all monthly financial information
Research and prepare complex reports and analysis on a variety of subjects
Recruit, retain, supervise, motivate and evaluate employees
Understand, explain and apply policies and procedures
Respond to emergency and problem situations in an effective, efficient, and appropriate manner
Deal constructively with conflict and resolve situations accordingly and effectively
Analyze and interpret department policies and procedures

Nice To Haves

A master's degree in a related field and/or possession of a valid California Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is highly desirable.
Experience with municipal finance, budgeting, and financial reporting is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develops and implements goals, objectives, and priorities, working closely with the City Manager, related to the City's finances; provides general supervision over staff engaged in finance and accounting related work; assists the City Manager in the administration of the citywide budget.
Assists the City Manager in the coordination and preparation of the City's annual operating and capital budget; prepares City revenue estimates; checks revenue and expenditure estimates and forecasts; participates in budget meetings with City staff; compiles proposed and adopted budgets for publication.
Manages the City's finances, utility billing, accounting, accounts payable, investments, payroll, and purchasing.
Monitors and participates in the City's accounting activities, including accounts payable, receivable, purchasing and payroll; reviews purchases and contracts for compliance with City ordinances, rules and procedures, and to determine that expenditures are made in accordance with the terms of the contract.
Serves as the fiscal officer for the City's successor agency.
Plans and develops accounting procedures for bookkeeping and processing of claims, expenditures, purchases, budget data, salary warrants, receipts and subventions, journal entries, and the general ledger.
Supervises assigned staff; reviews employees' work; performs staff evaluations; instructs staff in policies and procedures.
Assists managers and supervisors in financial matters pertaining to City operations.
Compiles and prepares required state and federal reports for various government agencies; reviews, analyzes, evaluates, and implements improvements to fiscal control systems and procedures; works with independent auditors on annual audit compliance.
Reviews, evaluates, and recommends improvements to the City's administrative and financial internal control systems and procedures and ensures audit compliance.
Prepares monthly financial reports for the City Council, City Manager, and staff.
Checks fund balances and recommends transfer of funds as necessary.
Conducts internal training sessions in the areas of Finance.
Performs special studies and duties as assigned by the City Manager.
Represents the City administration's financial services to citizens, organizations, auditors, and other City agencies and governmental organizations; informs, answers inquiries, interprets policies, procedures, and actions; responds to problems by analyzing and developing recommendations for resolutions by instituting programs, procedures or systems.
Participates in cross training and provides back up to other staff; assists other office personnel in performing related administrative support functions; serves as a backup to other Finance functions.