Mass Town Careers

Finance Director

City of Methuen

Title of position: Finance Director

General statement of duties:

The city Finance Director, who works under the direction of the CAFO, is responsible for the complex administration and operation of the Accounting Department within the city’s Administrative and Finance Division.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for managing all city accounting functions in accordance with appropriate Massachusetts General Laws, finance-related bylaws, and with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to municipal government; responsible for the maintenance of all official accounting records, comprehensive financial reporting, compliance with legal and contractual obligations, appropriation and expenditure controls, and for the preparation of a variety of mandated and/or specialized reports including, but not limited to, Schedule A, Free Cash, and Year-End Financial Statements.
  • Manages all aspects of the city’s general ledger:
    • Maintain ongoing budget to actual oversight for all annual appropriations in the general fund and enterprise fund.
    • Ensure that all city receivables including, but not limited to, property taxes, motor vehicle excise, tax title accounts, tax deferrals, taxes in litigation, tax foreclosures, water user charges are reconciled monthly with the department responsible.
    • Ensure that all city cash accounts are reconciled monthly with the Treasurer/Collector’s office.
    • Develop and prepare detailed monthly reports to monitor all financial activity within the city’s many funds, to include special revenue funds, state and federal grants, capital projects, enterprise funds, trust funds, and the annual budget appropriations of the city.
    • Analyze and report, as requested and/or necessary, including but not limited to, balance sheets, budgetary reports, reports to the Department of Revenue, and other state and federal agencies.
  • Supervises the day-to-day operations of the Junior Accountant:
    • Assigns work, evaluates performance, trains staff, and provides technical guidance, as required, to meet the department’s goals, objectives, and responsibilities.
  • Participate in establishing short- and long-term goals in conjunction with the CAFO.
  • Maintain and audit appropriate files, records and supporting documentation for all financial transactions including, but not limited to, general ledgers, cash receipts and disbursements records, transaction records, journal voucher records and other financial-related records for the city.
  • Serve as immediate liaison between the external independent auditors and the city, overseeing the annual financial audit process.
  • Maintain an accounting of all annual budgeted positions.
  • Maintain knowledge and understanding of all current collective bargaining agreements.
  • Support accounts payable and/or payroll processes when necessary.
  • Conducts periodic internal operational and financial audits, as necessary and/or requested by the CAFO.
  • Ensure the integrity of the financial data by maintaining proper internal controls; interface directly with other department management to ensure the proper financial functioning and adherence to internal controls within all departments, including the school department.
  • Provide assistance and information to the CAFO for annual budget development and periodic control, including preparation of the Finance Division budget.
  • Maintain an ongoing accounting of all city fixed assets
  • Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, financial management or related.
  • Five years of experience in accounting, auditing, and budgeting, including municipal finance, with progressively responsible management and supervisory background.
  • Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal accounting and of applicable provisions of financial management, specifically Massachusetts General Laws, GAAP, GASB, and GAGAS.
  • Working knowledge of computer applications for accounting and financial management, Munis experience strongly preferred.

Salary: $97,123-$113,992 annually

Full job description may be found at https://www.cityofmethuen.net/employment.

Submit application and resume to: HumanResources@CityofMethuen.net or complete online application at https://www.cityofmethuen.net/human-resources/webforms/employment-application.

The city of Methuen is committed to the full inclusion and consideration of all qualified individuals for its open positions, regardless of their race, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, age, physical abilities, sexual orientation, veteran status, or personal experience. It is the city of Methuen’s goal to embrace diverse perspectives and welcome candidates from underrepresented groups to help make its vision a reality, by providing access to resources to all candidates and providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privilege of employment, please contact Sandy Almonte, ADA/DEI Coordinator.

Last date for applying: March 27 or thereafter until filled.