Assistant CFO/Budget Manager (City of Woodbury, MN)

About the Role

The primary objective of this position is to perform advanced fiscal analysis in support of the preparation and administration of the operating budgets, capital improvement plan, and 10-year financial projections. This position will also provide professional and highly technical accounting work, assist in maintaining the accounting functions of the City by ensuring the accuracy of accounting procedures, and provide assistance to the Deputy City Administrator and Chief Financial Officer/Controller.

Responsibilities

• Preparation and oversight of the annual operating budget process:
  • Coordinates the preparation of the detailed budget document in coordination with other employees, divisions, and departments.
  • Coordinates the annual submission of the GFOA budget award.
  • Maintains the accuracy and integrity of budget data through established electronic budget templates, instructions, network drives, and ERP.
  • Provides advice and technical assistance with budget preparation.
  • Examines departmental budget submissions for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with Administrative direction and procedures.
  • Prepares and quantifies changes to the budget as they arise in the budget process.
  • Performs the personal services estimate for current and proposed city staff.
  • Prepares background and supporting financial trend and historical analysis as required.
  • Coordinates the data entry for the preparation of the budget document.
  • Prepares graphs and tables for the annual budget and public presentations.
  • Prepares annual budgets for various Enterprise and Special Revenue Funds.
  • Performs rate analysis for Enterprise and Special Revenue Funds in coordination with the CFO/Controller.
• Preparation and oversight of the annual capital improvement plan process:
  • Coordinates the preparation of the capital improvement plan document in coordination with other employees, divisions, and departments.
  • Prepares various revenue analysis and projections.
  • Maintains the accuracy and integrity of capital improvement plan data through established electronic templates, instructions, network drives, and CIP software.
  • Provides advice and technical assistance with preparation.
  • Examines departmental capital improvement plan submissions for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with Administrative direction and procedures.
  • Prepares background and supporting financial trend and historical analysis as required.
  • Prepares graphs, text, and tables as necessary for the capital improvement plan document.
  • Prepares information for departmental and public meeting presentations.
• Preparation and oversight of the annual 10-year financial projections process:
  • Reviews forecasting assumptions such as economic growth, inflation, tax base trends, user fees, and legislative changes.
  • Engages with City department heads and external stakeholders to validate estimates.
  • Forecasts major revenue categories (property taxes, grants, investment income) and cost drivers (personnel, debt service, capital) over the ten-year horizon.
  • Projects rolling cash flows and fund balance levels to pinpoint liquidity issues and timing gaps.
  • Compares projected reserve levels with established fund balance policies to identify shortfalls.
  • Structures the forecast to align with City policies, GASB standards, and municipal best practices.
  • Evaluates potential fiscal threats, including economic downturns, demographic changes, and shifting regulations.
  • Prepares clear narrative explanations detailing assumptions, methodology, and limitations, following GFOA guidance.
  • Creates user-friendly summaries, charts, and dashboards to facilitate stakeholder comprehension and transparency.
• Serves as primary backup to the Chief Financial Officer/Controller.
• Prepares arbitrage calculations relating to outstanding bond issues.
• Completes necessary reporting to Washington County for annual budget and tax levy calculations.
• Prepares Annual State Reports:
  • Budget Summary
  • Local Government Lobbying Services
• Serves as primary reviewer of council letters and resolutions with financial and budget implications.
• Serves as a Business Analyst to provide financial advice and technical assistance to other divisions.
• Performs and assists management with development and implementation of policies and procedures related to various professional financial and accounting functions.
• Prepares special reports, analytical studies, and financial planning as assigned.
• Attends City Council meetings with budget development implications.
• Fosters an inclusive work culture and advances the City’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
• Maintains and fosters an environment which facilitates the Exceeding Expectations (professional, responsive, leaders) philosophy of the City.
• Performs all other duties and assumes other responsibilities as assigned or apparent.

Qualifications

• Four-year Accounting degree.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in a municipal or county accounting position.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in municipal or county budgeting and financial planning.
• Three years of supervisory experience in a municipal or county management and finance position.

Skills

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, governmental fund accounting, internal control procedures, public finance, and fiscal planning.
• Knowledge of the major functions of an accounting office, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Ability to make accurate arithmetic computations and prepare and analyze complex financial reports.
• Understand and follow financial controls implemented for compliance, fraud, theft protection pertaining but not limited to cash handling, Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Skill in the use and care of calculators, personal computers, printers, and other office equipment, and working knowledge of computer software.
• Ability to read and understand correspondence, memoranda, and materials.
• Ability to effectively represent the organization, department, and administrative operations to management and the public.
• Ability to facilitate effective presentations at public meetings.
• Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to act in a decisive manner, using good judgment.