Finance Director

About the role

The Finance Director will lead a busy and dynamic Department that implements local government financial best practices and methods while actively monitoring opportunities for improvement. The Department has a team of 7 (Director, Assistant Director, Accountant, Administrative Assistant and three Account Clerks) and will benefit from a team-oriented, supportive, and accessible mentor to assist with professional growth and foster strong customer service internally and externally.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the Finance Department including tax collection, payroll, utility billing and collection, accounting and auditing, cash management, budgeting, data processing; to coordinate assigned activities with other City Departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Administrator.
• Assume full management responsibility for all Finance Department services and activities including tax collection, utility billing and collection, accounting and auditing, budgeting, and data processing; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Manage the development and implementation of Finance Department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; establish appropriate service and staffing levels; allocate resources accordingly.
• Monitor and evaluate continuously the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of changes.
• Represent the Finance Department to other City Departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explain, justify and defend Department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant and controversial issues.
• Train, motivate and evaluate Finance Department personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level employees, the Finance Department's work plan; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures.
• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Department budget; direct the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring and approval of expenditures; direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Cost City and union proposals for the benefit of the team
• Coordinate the annual financial audit for the City; prepare financial statements, schedules and other related information for the external audit firm; oversee the implementation of recommendations made by external auditors.
• Oversee the utility customer service functions for the City including utility billing, collections, meter reading and customer service activities; respond to and resolve complaints and inquiries regarding utility billing.
• Establish, adopt best practices, maintain and evaluate the City's administrative and financial internal control systems and procedures; recommend improvements as appropriate; ensure compliance with the audit.
• Comply with any finance related local, State and federal reporting requirements and regulations.
• Manage the payroll process, financial software, Flexible Spending Program, AFLAC and Mission Square Programs as well as any other new financial programs adopted by the City.
• Serve as the City’s IMRF Authorized Agent and IPBC delegate or alternate.
• Prepare a variety of administrative and financial reports involving detailed analysis of City programs and functions.

Essential Functions of this Position (Generally up to 60% of the time annually)

• Assume full management responsibility for all Finance Department services and activities including tax collection, utility billing and collection, accounting and auditing, budgeting, and data processing; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Manage the development and implementation of Finance Department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; establish appropriate service and staffing levels; allocate resources accordingly.
• Monitor and evaluate continuously the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of changes.
• Represent the Finance Department to other City Departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explain, justify and defend Department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant and controversial issues.
• Train, motivate and evaluate Finance Department personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level employees, the Finance Department's work plan; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures.
• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Department budget; direct the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring and approval of expenditures; direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Cost City and union proposals for the benefit of the team
• Coordinate the annual financial audit for the City; prepare financial statements, schedules and other related information for the external audit firm; oversee the implementation of recommendations made by external auditors.
• Oversee the utility customer service functions for the City including utility billing, collections, meter reading and customer service activities; respond to and resolve complaints and inquiries regarding utility billing.
• Establish, adopt best practices, maintain and evaluate the City's administrative and financial internal control systems and procedures; recommend improvements as appropriate; ensure compliance with the audit.
• Comply with any finance related local, State and federal reporting requirements and regulations.
• Manage the payroll process, financial software, Flexible Spending Program, AFLAC and Mission Square Programs as well as any other new financial programs adopted by the City.
• Serve as the City’s IMRF Authorized Agent and IPBC delegate or alternate.
• Prepare a variety of administrative and financial reports involving detailed analysis of City programs and functions.

Essential Functions of this Position (Generally up to 30% of the annually)

• Respond to Freedom of Information Acts as requested.
• Oversee the filing and release of Liens and Memoranda of Judgement.

Other Functions of this Position (Generally up to 10% of the annually)

• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Cookbook records disposal for the organization.
• Serve as financial liaison to the West Chicago/Winfield Wastewater Authority (WCWWA).

Qualifications

• Seven years of increasingly responsible experience in governmental financial planning and administration, including four years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.
• Educational equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration or a related field.