Assistant Finance Director/Controller

Town of Fort Myers Beach Florida

Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Full Time

Job Description

Position: Assistant Finance Director / Controller

Reports to: Town Manager

Emergency Classification: Essential

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Pay Grade: 116

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for public finance and a keen eye for fiscal integrity? If you're ready to take the next step in your career and make a meaningful impact in a dynamic municipal environment, this role is for you. As the Assistant Finance Director/Controller, you will play a critical role in shaping the financial future of our community, ensuring transparency, accountability, and operational excellence.

The Town of FMB Offers a Competitive Benefits Package!

Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance with low deductibles and annual maximums. The Town covers 100% of employee premiums and 50% of dependent premiums. Benefits include employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, gym membership reimbursement and more.
Work/Life Balance: Executive staff accrue 19 hours of paid leave monthly, plus 1 sick day and a birthday annually. The Town observes 14 paid holidays and offers flexible scheduling options.
Retirement Planning: Immediate vesting in a 401(a)/457(b) pension plan with generous employer contributions.
And More! Join a team that values your well-being and future.

Position Summary

The Assistant Finance Director / Controller is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the financial operations of the municipality, ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with government accounting standards, effective budget management, and robust internal controls. This role serves as a deputy to the Finance Director, providing strategic financial guidance, supporting organizational goals, and maintaining fiscal integrity to safeguard public funds. The Assistant Finance Director / Controller also assists in long-term financial planning and decision-making, ensuring the financial health of the municipality.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Oversee the preparation and analysis of financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and budget variance reports.
Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, Uniform Grant Guidance, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Prepare, monitor, and analyze the annual budget, working closely with department heads to ensure alignment with organizational goals and financial sustainability.
Lead the accounting team, providing leadership, training, and performance evaluations to ensure high-quality financial operations.
Coordinate and oversee the annual financial audit, working with external auditors to ensure accurate and timely completion.
Ensure proper financial recordkeeping and reporting for all municipal funds, including general, enterprise, capital, and special revenue funds.
Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reports to maintain accuracy and consistency.
Monitor cash flow, investment portfolios, and financial risk to optimize the municipality's financial position.
Prepare and present financial reports to the Town Manager, Town Council, and other stakeholders as required.
Implement and maintain financial software systems to improve operational efficiency and reporting accuracy.
Provide financial guidance to senior leadership on fiscal policy, budget planning, and financial strategy.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial regulations and filing requirements.
Lead and manage the accounting staff responsible for payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial reporting, grant reporting, and audit liability reporting to ensure departmental goals and objectives are consistently achieved.
Coordinate and oversee scheduling and workflow of the accounting team to ensure adequate staffing levels are maintained and established deadlines are met consistently.
Oversee risk management including insurance claims and property insurance administration.
Serve as the administrator of the Water Enterprise fund, including revenue tracking, expense management, and financial reporting.
Assist in the preparation of monthly cash and investment reports, including cash flow projections and financial forecasts.
Maintain inventory of fixed assets for insurance and audit purposes.
Assist in the preparation of required grant reports, ensuring compliance with grant terms and accurate financial reporting.
Lead the development, documentation, implementation, and administration of accounting procedures including those related to internal control, fund accounting, grants accounting, payroll processing, accounts receivable, liability insurance, year-end close, annual audit, and financial reporting.
Serve as a key resource in the implementation and optimization of financial software systems.
Provide ongoing training and mentorship to finance staff, identifying growth and development opportunities.
Evaluate and approve financial system access requests to ensure appropriate internal controls.
Develop custom financial reports within the Town's financial system as needed.
Assist the Finance Director in long-term financial planning, debt management, and capital project financing.
Represent the Finance Department in interdepartmental meetings, Town Council sessions, and external audits as needed.

Attend assigned meetings and events.
Participate in emergency response and recovery operations as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required.)

REQUIREMENTS:

Education, Certification, and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field; Master's degree preferred.
Minimum of five (5) years of governmental accounting or public financial management experience, including three (3) years in a senior management role.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CMA (Certified Municipal Manager), or CGFO (Certified Government Finance Officer) certification strongly preferred.
FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training: IS-100.C, IS-200.C, IS-700.B, IS-800.D, ICS-300, ICS-400 (Required within 12 months of employment if not already completed)
Active membership in the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), or willingness to obtain membership upon employment required.

Knowledge

Extensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards; Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; Florida's Uniform Accounting System Requirements and financial reporting requirements.
In-depth understanding of municipal budgeting, forecasting, capital improvement planning, and fund accounting.
Solid understanding of Emergency Financial Management.
Detailed knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and compliance requirements related to public finance, including FEMA, ARPA, and other grant funding.
Knowledge of Florida Department of Revenue's Truth in Millage requirements.
Familiarity with debt financing, bond issuance, and investment strategies in a public-sector environment.
Understanding of enterprise fund operations, such as utilities and stormwater, and the development of related billing rates.
Knowledge of internal controls, audit processes, and financial risk management practices.
Awareness of public procurement laws, contract management practices, and ethical purchasing standards.
Knowledge of ERP and financial software systems used in government finance.
Familiarity with National Incident Management System requirements

Skills

Strong analytical and financial modeling skills for data-driven decision-making.
Exceptional leadership and team development skills, with the ability to foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Skilled in strategic planning, goal setting, and policy development.
Proficient in the use of financial management systems, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation tools.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information to elected officials, staff, and the public in an understandable manner, as well draft clear, concise policies and resolutions.
Effective project management and organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Skilled in interpreting financial data and translating it into practical operational guidance.
Skilled in managing and forecasting cash flow.
Skilled in the preparation of monthly and annual financial statements and related accruals and necessary adjustments.
Skilled in reviewing RFP's, RFQ's, Bid's, and contract's scope of work, terms and conditions for completeness and accuracy.

Abilities

Ability to maintain the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and transparency in all financial practices.
Ability to build strong working relationships with elected officials, staff, auditors, funding agencies, and the community.
Ability to interpret and apply complex legislation, regulations, and funding conditions.
Ability to identify financial risks and implement proactive strategies to mitigate them.
Ability to lead through change and guide the organization through financial challenges or recovery processes.
Ability to think strategically while maintaining attention to operational and technical details.
Ability to work under pressure and make informed, timely decisions in high-stakes or emergency situations.

Physical Requirements:

Task involves some physical effort in standing, bending, stooping, stretching, and walking, or frequent moderate lifting (30 pounds); and standard dexterity in the use of fingers, limbs, or body in the operation of shop or office equipment.
Task may involve extended periods of time working at a desk utilizing a computer, mouse, and keyboard.

Environmental Requirements:

Task is regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Sensory Requirements:

Task requires sound perception and discrimination.
Task requires visual perception and discrimination.
Task requires oral communications ability.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach provides Veterans' Preference in employment for eligible veterans, spouses of veterans, and qualifying family members, in accordance with the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs guidelines.

How to Claim Veterans' Preference:

Notify Human Resources at hr@fmbgov.com to request Veterans' Preference at the time of application.
Obtain the Veterans' Preference Form, which will be provided by Human Resources, and indicate your eligibility.
Submit the required documentation (e.g., DD-214 form, VA disability letter, or applicable spouse documentation) along with your completed application.

If you require assistance or have questions about this process, please contact Human Resources at (239) 896-4284 or hr@fmbgov.com.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach is an EOE and DFW