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The City of Lynden is seeking an accomplished professional to serve as Finance Director.
Under the direction of the City Administrator, the Finance Director manages the staff and activities of the Finance Department. Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the major programs and activities of the department. Works with the Mayor and City Administrator in the development, analysis, implementation, and administration of the annual budget. This position also works closely with the City Council on various projects.
Please see the job profile / description for detailed information regarding job duties.
Major Responsibilities
Leadership and Direction
- Participates as a member and representative of the City's Leadership Team to facilitate quality improvements throughout the organization.
- Embraces, promotes, and models the City's mission, vision, and core values.
- Promotes a high level of professionalism within the Finance Department and throughout the entire City organization; facilitates problem solving and encourages communication and feedback between employees and supervisors.
- Develops and oversees implementation of the department's annual work plan.
- Provides leadership and technical and administrative direction to the programs, activities, and staff of the department, including supervision and personnel management.
Budget and Records Management
- Oversees preparation of the City's annual budget including all subsidiary reporting such as payroll, auditing functions and internal controls.
- Directs the preparation of financial reports as required by law; prepares financial reports and analyses requested by Council and management staff.
- Oversees and evaluates the major programs and activities of the department, including general accounting, budget development and administration, debt management, investment management, bond administration, utility accounting, purchasing, data processing, and risk management.
- Oversees the dissemination of information related to the City's finance, utility billing, payroll and purchasing matters.
- Works with Public Works Director and staff in utility rate setting processes, evaluating operational requirements and planning for capital replacement necessary to assure financial stability of utilities.
- Ensures financial and audit compliance with all local, state, and federal laws.
- Conducts or coordinates mandatory reporting to outside agencies including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- Serves as point of contact with auditors during financial and accountability audits.
- Seeks opportunities to streamline, modernize and professionalize all program areas.
Policy and Program Planning and Development
- Plans, organizes, administers, and evaluates the major programs and activities of the department.
- Reviews, evaluates, and recommends improvements to the City's administrative and financial internal control systems and procedures.
- Prepares long-range financial projections and financial planning tools to aid the Mayor, City Administrator and City Council in developing fiscal planning policies.
- Works closely with the Mayor, City Administrator, City Council, and staff on all matters of City finance.
Other Duties
- Advises the Mayor, City Administrator and City Council on financial issues, including risk management.
- Oversees the administration of the City's Asset, Property and Liability insurance.
- Provides staff assistance to the Mayor, City Administrator, and City Council.
- Performs other related duties as needed and assigned.
The Finance Department
The Finance Department’s mission is to provide quality financial services in a cost-effective manner to the public and City departments.
ACCOUNTING & BUDGETING:
This Department works closely with Legislative, Executive and Department Heads in the preparation of a $60 million-dollar budget. After Council adoption, the Department monitors the budget and provides regular, monthly updates to Council, Mayor and Department Heads. The Finance Department oversees the General Fund, Special Revenue (utility) funds and various debt, capital facilities and miscellaneous funds. This department also develops the annual budget, the annual financial report and all required audits for the State of Washington State Auditor’s office, monthly financial reports, risk management and debt issuance/management activities. The Finance Department provides payroll services for 85+ full-time equivalent employees, various part-time or seasonal employees, and 8 elected officials. The Department monitors fixed assets, manages miscellaneous accounts receivable for all departments, and processes all accounts payable for the City of Lynden.
TREASURY & UTILITY BILLING:
The Finance Department is responsible for the collection of assessments for utility local improvement district (ULID) and approximately 5100 utility customers billed. This Department monitors and collects all tax revenues from various governmental entities. The Department manages and monitors an average investment portfolio of $10.7 million dollars.
Education & Experience
Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field and minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible experience working in public sector accounting or financial management. Demonstrated experience in supervision, organization budget preparation and administration, governmental accounting software, financial management and forecasting is required. For full qualifications, please refer to the job description.
Ideal Candidate
The Finance Director is a member of the City’s Leadership Team. As such, the successful candidate is expected to embrace and model organizational Vision and Values. Further, the successful candidate must be willing to take a broad leadership role on issues that affect not only the Finance Department but the entire organization. As a leader in this organization, this individual must hold him/herself to the highest standards of public service.
The successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of accomplishments and experience in developing and managing budgets, finances and accounting systems within public sector organizations. He or she will be an effective communicator, especially when presenting information to elected officials and the general public. Experience with governmental accounting software systems is required and experience with accounting software acquisition and implementation is a plus.
Challenges & Opportunities
- The new Finance Director will be expected to embrace and model the organization’s Vision and Values, and to provide leadership to the entire organization. The importance of this cannot be overstated.
- The City continues to work on refinement of the city financial software. Continuing improvements need to be made, as well as updates to the payroll software.
- The City is working on updating the A/P process. Several policy updates will need to be made with the system update.
- There are numerous financial functions that needed to be modernized. For example, The online utility payment process and credit card system. The new Finance Director will identify these functions then propose and implement new, modernized processes.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $113,410 – 147,975 (DOE)
Benefits Include:
- Medical/Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (PERS)
- Voluntary Flexible Benefits/Cafeteria Plan
- Voluntary Nationwide, MissionSquare Retirement or Washington State Deferred Compensation Plans (DCP)
- Basic life insurance
- Vacation
- Sick Leave
- Holidays
- Social Security & Industrial Insurance
- Relocation Assistance if needed
To Apply
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply at https://www.lyndenwa.org/161/Human-Resources First consideration given to applications received by April 22, 2024 (open until filled).
Selection Process
Skype Screening interviews with semi-finalists are scheduled for May 2, 2024. Applicants may be asked to submit budget work samples as part of the screening process. Final candidates will be invited to attend the final selection process in Lynden, Washington on May 14, 2024.
Please direct all questions to Kara Turner, Turner HR Services, Inc. at (360) 739-5531 or email kara@turnerhrservices.com.
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