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Bellevue, WA - Assistant Finance Director

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City of Bellevue: Assistant Finance Director

JOB TITLE:

Assistant Finance Director

JOB FAMILY:

Fiscal Mgmt/Accounting

JOB TITLE CODE:

  

EEO CODE:

Professional

DEPARTMENT(S):

Finance

WAGE SCHEDULE:

M

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

EFFECTIVE DATE:

January 1, 2001

JOB SUMMARY

Positions in this classification plan, organize and coordinate the budgeting and financial planning for the City and/or day-to-day financial operations of the Finance Department, under the general guidance of the Director. Incumbents coordinate and supervise the work of subordinate managers, supervisors, and project leaders and act as technical advisors on studies, projects, and problems. They anticipate and plan for future work programs, determine nature and scope of projects, and make staff assignments. Assistant Finance Directors develop and oversee the administration of policies, procedures and work products in accordance with applicable Federal, State and Local laws, policies and procedures and generally accepted accounting principles. They formulate and communicate goals and policies to subordinates, superiors, and others throughout the City organization. They have primary responsibility for ensuring a high degree of accuracy and quality in all financial documents and in developing systems to efficiently and accurately record and report the City's financial status to City Management and officials who rely on this material to make decisions. Assistant Finance Directors are recognized as seasoned and fully proficient accountants and/or financial analysts and financial administrators. They act on behalf of the Director on matters that impact the operation of the department and have primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of staff, public officials, auditors, agency representatives and the general public. This requires a high degree of sensitivity to the needs of others and the ability to communicate technical issues in a clear and understandable manner. Assistant Finance Directors are distinguished from other Financial Management staff by their overall responsibility for the direction of the financial planning or operations functions of the Finance Department. Incumbents act on behalf of the Finance Director in his/her absence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Assists the Finance Director in carrying out the functional and operational responsibilities of the department in accordance with sound accounting and financial management principles. Evaluates effectiveness of department policies and procedures and recommends and implements needed changes. Communicates department philosophy, goals, and objectives to subordinate staff.

· Organizes, coordinates, and manages the day-to-day activities of subordinate divisions/teams in the Finance Department. Prepares and administers budgets, prepares work programs and objectives for the division, trains and supervises employees, oversees selection of employees, conducts performance appraisals, and otherwise administers personnel policies and procedures. Incumbents may delegate some or all of these duties to subordinate division managers.

· Serves as liaison for the Finance Department in the provision of financial information and resolution of problems with user departments.

· Ensures the accuracy of financial documents in accordance with City, State, Federal laws, and generally accepted accounting principles. Serves as the designated signatory for a variety of documents requiring the Finance Department's approval.

· Evaluates the effectiveness and usability of current financial systems; coordinates responses regarding financial information to user departments. Works with Finance Department Systems staff to design educational sessions to train clients for the use and proper interpretation of financial system products and/or services.

· Serves as primary liaison between the Office of the State Auditor and City staff in order to ensure accurate and consistent data gathering for the annual audit process. Personally handles the more sensitive or most critical issues related to such audits.

· Manages the development of the City's Operating Budget, Capital Investment Program Plan and Comprehensive Financial Annual Report. Oversees the collection, compilation, editing and publishing of official City financial documents. Ensures quality of each document for accuracy and readability.

·

· Monitors the financial status of the Operating Budget and Capital Investment Program to ensure that these plans are not encountering financial difficulties. Identifies, investigates and reports on deviations from financial plans.

· Manages the research, analysis, and data gathering for financial policy issues identified by the Finance Director, City Manager, City Council or other department directors. Oversees the preparation of reports summarizing findings and recommendations.

· Represents the City in presenting financial information to the City Manager, City Council, and other stakeholders.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Works under the general supervision of the Finance Director.

Exercises supervision over managerial and professional staff either directly or through subordinate supervisors, as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRMENTS

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or closely related field and extensive experience in financial field such as accounting, banking and investment, budgeting, financial forecasting or capital planning. Supervisory experience is required. A master's degree in related area is desirable.

Five or more years of professional related experience (preferably in the public sector) in areas of accounting, budgeting, tax administration, purchasing, information systems, cash management or financial management as applicable to the specific position being applied for. Several years experience in the administration of business/government financial systems and significant supervisory responsibility for professional, paraprofessional and support staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS

Thorough knowledge of accounting and financial planning and financial management principles and practices.

Ability to make prompt decisions on complex matters and make evaluations concerning day to day operations.

Ability to perform or supervise the performance of a variety of projects, receive unexpected top priority assignments and solve interpersonal or procedural problems simultaneously amidst frequent interruptions.

Ability to resolve complex problems which require the evaluation of alternative methods or solutions.

Ability to set objectives, delegate, and prioritize workflow in such a way that the overall mission and/or goals of the City/Department are met.

Ability to solicit cooperation from persons and departments throughout the City.

Ability to plan, organize, supervise, and review the work of subordinate employees/supervisors.

Skills and abilities in written and oral communication sufficient to handle sensitive projects and problems, develop strong working relationships with divergent groups and communicate technical and philosophical concepts to lay persons.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.