Deputy Finance Director

The City of Portsmouth is seeking a dedicated and experienced Assistant Finance Director to join our team! Starting salary range for this position is $104,841.48 - $127,435.48 a year per the Professional Management Association (PMA) Working Agreement.
The City offers a generous compensation and benefits package that includes retirement paid time off including vacation holidays medical & dental insurance flexible spending account professional development career growth longevity incentives and more!
NATURE OF WORK
This position requires highly technical accounting and fiscal management skills as well as strong communication and leadership competencies. Responsibilities and duties are performed within an overlapping framework of local law (City Charter and Ordinances), State statute, and federal law, and incorporates Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and statements of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Responsibilities include but are not limited to: overseeing the accounting for all City funds; assisting in budget preparations and financial planning; monitoring expenditures and general ledger activity; preparing financial reports; and assisting in the oversight of the management of the City's integrated fiscal management structure.
SUPERVISION
The position serves under the general direction of the Deputy City Manager - Finance & Administration and the Deputy Finance Director. The majority of work is performed independently requiring significant exercise of judgement and initiative to ensure all municipal financial transactions conform to law and professional standards. The Assistant Finance Director is expected to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the City Manager and senior leadership team including department heads, outside auditors, and State and federal officials.
Work is reviewed for technical adequacy, appropriateness of actions or decisions, and conformance with policy or other requirements. The Assistant Finance Director, in coordination with the Deputy City Manager - Finance & Administration and the Deputy Finance Director, will oversee the work of the Department's employees, setting goals and ensuring staffing needs are met. The Assistant Finance Director may provide guidance or functional supervision to accounting or finance staff as needed. This position does not have regular supervisory responsibility but may serve as an additional supervisory resource in coordination with the Deputy City Manager - Finance & Administration in the absence of the Deputy Finance Director.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed.The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to, or extension of, the position.
1. Assists in the planning and management of the City's financial goals, objectives, and operations.
2. Maintains the City's financial system and accounting records in accordance with all applicable principles and standards.
3. Researches and implements compliance measures for applicable statutory or regulatory requirements affecting public fiscal issues.
4. Works in coordination with staff, including the City Manager, in the preparation and coordination of the annual budget for the General, Special Revenue, and Enterprise Funds, including preparation of charts and spreadsheets to effectively communicate financial information.
5. Recommends, writes, maintains, and tests internal controls and financial policies and procedures.
6. Assists in all functions of City bond issuance including preparation of bond authorizations, ensures proper information to Financial Advisors and Bond Counsel in accordance with the legal requirements for each resolution, prepares Preliminary Official Statement (POS) and presentation for bond rating agencies.
7. Maintains debt schedules, debt limit calculations, accrued interest, amortization schedule for bond premiums, annual cash flow reports for bond payments, and other debt schedules required for the annual audit.
8. Assists with the preparation of the necessary state reports: MS-123, MS-232, MS-434, MS-6C, and MS-535. Coordinates with School, Assessing, Tax, and Clerk offices to compile and reconcile with other MS reports required to set the annual City tax rate.
9. Monitors and reconciles all expenditures to ensure accuracy and budget appropriations are not exceeded.
10. Performs a monthly reconciliation of cash across all funds. Provides recommendations for adjusting journal entries as needed to clear reconciling items.
11. Supports the maintenance of the fixed asset ledger, ensuring the capitalization of fixed assets is performed in accordance with City policy.12. Assists in confidential cost analysis calculations for collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
13. Develops and maintains strong, positive relationships with all City Departments and divisions along with other staff for the smooth operation of all financial functions.
14. Assists with establishing and reviewing the salary and benefit projections for the annual operating budget to ensure accuracy and compliance with the City's collective bargaining agreements.
15. Assists in the annual audit with the City's external auditors including assisting in the preparation of the Introduction Letter, Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), and Statistical Section of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
16. Works closely with the Information Technology Division to improve technology related to all financial aspects of the City.
17. Reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
18. Performs other duties as assigned by the Deputy Finance Director or the Deputy City Manager - Finance & Administration.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
An incumbent in this position consistently demonstrates a(n)...
1. Knowledge of the principles and practices of GAAP and GASB reporting standards.
2. Knowledge of the New Hampshire Statutes as they pertain to finances and accounting principles.
3.Knowledge of budget preparation and administration.
4. Knowledge of long-term strategic planning for finance operations.
5. Knowledge of internal control management.
6. Proven skills with Microsoft office Suite of tools and their use in effectively preparing electronic documents and presentations.
7. Ability to use computer accounting software.
8. Ability to analyze and interpret accounting data.
9. Ability to prepare financial reports and statements for audit and City Council.
10. Ability to demonstrate leadership and collaborate with finance staff and senior management.
11. Ability to organize and coordinate operations.
12. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in written form.
13. Ability to meet deadlines.
14. Ability to communicate effectively with the general public, City staff, and government officials at all levels.
ENVIRONMENT, WORKING CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT
Work requires a high degree of judgment and attention to detail to provide accurate budget and financial information. Position requires examining, analyzing, and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding a situation, and determining the action to be taken. Work requires understanding, interpreting, and applying complex federal, state and local regulations. The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices, and specialized techniques relating to financial administration. Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors and evaluating compliance with established standards or criteria; gathering, analyzing and evaluating data using specialized fact-finding techniques; or determining the methods to accomplish the work. Errors can result in delay or loss of service, monetary loss, and legal repercussions. The Assistant Finance Director must prioritize and perform duties and/or solve problems in a timely manner to ensure the work is completed as smoothly and efficiently as possible to meet critical deadlines. In this position, there is access to confidential information as well as frequent contact with all City Departments to provide or receive information and assistance and to respond to inquiries regarding issues and procedures. Contacts are usually made in writing, in person, via e-mail, Teams and on the telephone.
Minimal physical effort is required in performing the duties within a typical office environment. Tasks may involve moderate moving, lifting, and carrying of small equipment. The position involves extended periods of sitting, reaching, typing, and mousing, and viewing computer screens which require eye-hand coordination, and finger dexterity.
MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
A candidate for this position must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. Considerable experience in accounting and financial operations within a municipality or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
Licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a Master's Degree in Accounting or a related field is preferred but not required.
(The above descriptions are illustrative. They are intended as guides for personnel actions and are not complete itemizations of all facets of any job)
DISCLAIMER
The essential functions and duties described herein are normal for this position. They are intended as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similarly related or a logical assignment to or extension of the position. Other duties may be required and assigned by the supervisor. The City of Portsmouth is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. The City is committed to providing access to equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact our Human Resources Director by phone .
APPLICATION SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Finalist must complete pre-employment screening, drug testing, & background check.