Finance Officer/Treasurer

Town Of Ellington•Ellington, CT

About The Position

Why come to Ellington, CT? If you’re ready to bring your financial skills to a place where your work will be seen, valued, and impactful, we’d love to hear from you. Our charming and close-knit municipality is seeking an experienced, dedicated Finance Officer to help guide the financial health of our vibrant town. Nestled in a picturesque setting, our community prides itself on its welcoming spirit, strong local values, and commitment to responsible growth. As Finance Officer, you will play a vital role in managing public funds, supporting transparent governance, and ensuring the continued success of the services our residents rely on every day. Join our team and enjoy a high-level, responsible position with an employer who values work-life balance, offering great benefits including a four-day work week.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of governmental finances, municipal budgeting, auditing, investing, insurance and risk management, purchasing, payroll and data processing.
Thorough knowledge of state and federal grants, and municipal administration.
Thorough knowledge of laws, statutes, ordinances and regulations which govern the management and control of municipal funds.
Considerable knowledge of municipal data processing, MIS, internet, DSL and computer networking systems, telephone and technical systems and practices.
Considerable knowledge of the Tax office, WPCA administration procedures and wastewater treatment.
Good management skills with knowledge of bidding procedures for major purchases.
Ability to analyze the operations of a variety of municipal departments and to identify opportunities for cost savings through efficiency of operations.
Ability to effectively negotiate with outside vendors and insurance carriers.
Ability to devise and install new financial systems, forms and procedures.
Ability to effectively coordinate with the Assessor, Tax & Revenue Collector and other Town officials regarding accounting, payroll, treasury and other financial functions.
Ability to deal effectively and harmoniously with members of the Town government, various boards and commissions, subordinates, general public and outside agencies.
Ability in oral and written communications.
Ability to develop short- and long-range financial plans and programs.
Ability to supervise and coordinate activities and motivate department staff and others.
Operates a personal computer, accounting software, and standard office equipment; drives an automobile.
Must be able to sit at a desk or stand at an assigned location and work continuously for extended periods of time; utilize assigned offices equipment; walk, stretch and bend to file, some lifting and carrying materials, may be occasionally required to move and/or lift up to 25 pounds; attend and participate in numerous, extended night meetings during the year.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business or Accounting and seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in municipal government accounting, including 1-2 years of supervisory experience, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Must be eligible for bonding in accordance with state statutes.
Must possess a valid motor vehicle driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)
Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO)

Responsibilities

Acts in the capacity of the Town's Chief Fiscal Officer to plan, develop, coordinate, and manage the Town’s fiscal controls and activities which entails the application of budgeting and accounting principles and practices, payroll, budgeting, financial planning, data processing, risk management, purchasing, and cash management
Coordinates investment planning and administration, acts as Town Treasurer
Assists the Town Administrator in preparing the annual operating and capital improvement budgets and messages
Advises the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance regarding fiscal matters
Assists the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) with budgetary and financial activities
Oversees and is responsible for the application of principles and practices for financial management for the Town and WPCA; establishes proper accounting, reporting and control systems for the Town's and WPCA’s fiscal activities.
Plans and organizes duties according to the fiscal cycle and in accordance with municipal accounting practices; supervises an Assessor, Tax & Revenue Collector and Assistant Finance Officer/Deputy Treasurer.
Coordinates, advises and provides internal audits and financial controls of all Town departments, including, but not limited to, the offices of Tax & Revenue Collector, Assessor, Treasurer, the Board of Education and WPCA; implements new GASB accounting initiatives.
Prepares the Town budgets in cooperation with the Town Administrator, department heads, commissions and boards, and others; develops and monitors approved Town budgets, debt services, short- and long-range investments and borrowing strategy, cash flow etc.; ensures uniform consistent financial recording and reporting of all fiscal transactions; supervises the preparation of monthly appropriations; provides departmental financial information to department heads in a consistent and timely basis.
Plans, develops and oversees the Town and WPCA accounting and payroll systems, and financial controls, including cash management; maintains the chart of accounts for all Town funds; supervises the Town's and WPCA’s general ledger; recommends improvements in services to attain operational efficiencies.
Prepares bonding resolutions, cost projections, financial reporting, procedures and management of capital projects; reviews contracts for the Town and WPCA.
Maintains accounting of special accounts and oversees the Town's payroll procedures; reviews payroll and analyzes various payroll-related summaries; tracks and submits information used for Department of Labor reports, F.I.C.A., A.A.P., EEO, O.S.H.A., EEO-4 reports and other records.
Supervises the preparation of payroll taxes, maintenance of payroll records, 941 Reports and W-2 forms for the Town; maintains government reports.
Supervises the continuing audit of all Town and WPCA payrolls, bills, invoices and claims; provides financial information and advice to department heads; approves bid specifications, contracts, purchase orders and invoices, directs quotations and the preparation of bids, analyzes bids and selects vendors.
Prepares periodic financial statements and coordinates all government and miscellaneous reports pertaining to Town and WPCA financial activities and assists in other financial matters as needed.
Manages debt service, maintains schedule of all Town and WPCA debts; advises borrowing for Town projects; prepares financial statements for prospectives, bank information and bond rating data; administers all bond issues.
Sets-up and maintains developers’ bonds, including WPCA.
Oversees with the Assessor who is responsible for planning and coordinating Town-wide assessments of real and personal property preparation in order to compile the Grand List for taxation purposes.
Prepares, applies, processes and manages state and federal Town grants, including WPCA; assists Town department heads and other officials in preparing financial and other information for various government grants; prepares grant reimbursement documentation.
Administers the employee 401a program, employee benefits, including pay for time not worked, health and disability insurances, plans deferred compensation, etc.
Administers the Town’s Risk Management activities, including property insurance coverages and Workers’ Compensation; serves as ex-officio member of the Insurance Advisory Board.
Prepares statistical and narrative reports, including financial statements; provides fiscal consultation to Town officials, the Board of Finance and the WPCA; coordinates the annual financial audit, working closely with outside auditors.
Provides financial advice to WPCA.
Maintains fixed assets inventory for the Town and WPCA.
Purchases computer software; troubleshoots computer problems and coordinates with the Town’s systems consultant.
Prepares a proposed standard, systematic pay schedule for positions in the classified system.
Completes all required federal and state tax forms for the Town.
Attends Board of Finance meetings, and other Town meetings, as necessary.
Performs and completes special projects as assigned by the First Selectman/Town Administrator.
Provides general information to the public, attorneys, banking officials, etc.
Performs other related responsibilities as assigned.