Finance Manager

Please note:  In order to be considered, a City of Davis online application needs to be completed, along with answering the supplemental questions.  The oral board interviews will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, March 10. 2021.

DEFINITION
 
Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the staff and operations of the Finance Division, including accounting, accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable, utility billing and collection, general ledger reporting, and grants; performs professional accounting work to ensure regulatory compliance with governmental accounting standards; manages the effective use of division resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex and responsible support to the Finance Director in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
 
Receives general direction from the Finance Director. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff.
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the staff, operations and activities of the Finance Division. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include division administration, finance and accounting program evaluation, and recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards related to financial processing, reporting, and record keeping activities. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

Examples of typical Job Functions (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
 

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Finance Division, including accounting, accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable, utility billing and collection, general ledger reporting, and grants.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within division policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Manages and participates in all activities related to the City’s accounting function, including the accounting system, accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable, processing and issuance of checks and warrants, and cash receipts.
• Maintains and reconciles a variety of ledgers, reports, and accounting records; examines accounting transactions to ensure accuracy; approves journal vouchers to post transactions to accounting records; performs month-end, fiscal year-end, and calendar year-end accounting system processing.  
• Prepares and analyzes a variety of complex financial reports, statements, and schedules; prepares new-year, mid-year, year-end, and special reports, including the State Controller’s Report and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).   
• Prepares, calculates, and analyzes a variety of financial reports and data in the preparation of the annual operating and Capital Improvement Program budgets.  
• Participates in the development, revision, and maintenance of policy and procedure manuals governing fiscal matters; monitors financial procedures of all City departments, including internal audits and checks and balances; ensures necessary corrective actions are taken.
• Participates in debt management activites.
• Provides information to City departments regarding financial policies and procedures; interprets policies and procedures for departments.  
• Reports financial information and provides special reports to the Finance Director regarding investment of City funds. 
• Prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services; presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards.
• Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Serves as a liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces as necessary.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in public agency finance and accounting; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files.
• Ensures staff compliance with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
 
Knowledge of:
 

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and project management.
• Principles and practices of budget administration.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership. 
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of public agency finance, including general and governmental accounting, auditing, budgeting and financial reporting functions.
• Methods and techniques of establishing internal control procedures and guidelines.
• Generally accepted accounting principles; modern and complex principles and practices of municipal finance and accounting; and municipal finance best practices.
• Methods and techniques of preparing comprehensive financial and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• Federal grant compliance and reporting requirements.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility. 
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned division.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

• Plan, organize, oversee, and manage the staff and operations of the Finance Division.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.  
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the division. 
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.  
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Make financial forecasts and projections; analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting records and data.
• Audit, analyze, and utilize financial information and accounting systems and procedures; ensure systems comply with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Prepare clear and concise financial and administrative reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, business administration, finance or a related field.

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible government general accounting or finance experience, of which two (2) years should be in a management or supervisory capacity.

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.

Physical Demands
 
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.
 
Environmental Elements
 
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.  

Working Conditions

Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.