Job Description

Come join the City of Appleton! Here at the City, you'll have the opportunity to grow and enjoy your best life through challenging work, great teams, training opportunities, and making a lasting impact on the community. We welcome and respect all employees as they are. Come join our team-you belong here!
As the leader of the department, the Finance Director is responsible for the overall leadership and vision of the Finance team. Work involves leading the organization and providing high-level professional expertise, assistance and advice on all financial areas of responsibilities. This position is responsible for developing and implementing long-term strategies that will shape the growth of the community and organization. Work is performed under the general direction of the Mayor.
This position serves as a key member of the City Leadership Team and is expected to serve in both leadership and management capacities:
Leadership: the position is responsible for participating in and supporting the ongoing strategic planning process for the City. It will also lead the implementation of the Finance Strategic Plan. In addition, the Finance Director will be responsible for evaluating the Finance departmental structure and team to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
Management: in addition to playing a leadership role, this position must also serve a tactical, hands-on administrative role for the City. Ongoing areas of focus include: administering the external independent audit; overseeing the administration of grant programs; leading the development, review and implementation of the annual City budget, and more.
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Organizational Team Leadership

• Provides high-level professional expertise, assistance and advice to the Mayor, City leadership and Common Council on all Finance Department areas of responsibility.
• Collaborates with the Community and Economic Development Department in managing the tax incremental districts including ensuring compliance with State Statutes and performance of required compliance audits. Performs financial analysis for any new proposed districts and performs the closeout procedures for districts at termination.
• Performs financial advisory and analytical services on various proposals presented to and/or developed by the City; advises the Mayor, City leadership, and Common Council.
• Represents the City on the Fox Cities Room Tax Commission and TIF District Joint Review Boards, and serves on the City's Central Equipment Agency (CEA) Review Committee, Property Tax Payment Appeals Board, and Mayor's Economic Development Team.

Department Leadership, Development & Supervision

• Provides leadership, employee development support and supervision to the Finance Department team.
• Evaluates the Finance departmental structure and team plan to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness of the group as well as provide individuals with professional and personal growth opportunities.
• Leads the development and implementation of the Finance Department strategic plan and ensures alignment with the City's plan.
• Develops and implements departmental policies and procedures to ensure appropriate financial internal controls are established, compliance with regulating agencies, and effective utilization of physical and financial resources.

Financial Management

• Administers the external independent audit and oversees the preparation of the comprehensive annual financial report.
• Oversees the financial administration of grant programs including the adherence to comprehensive grant policies.
• Oversees long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with the City's strategic plan.
• Leads the development, review and implementation of the annual City budget.
• Serves as the City Treasurer overseeing investment and cash management functions.
• Determines annual borrowing needs and prepares City general obligation and revenue bond issues.
• Develops long-term debt strategies and reviews outstanding debt obligations to ensure compliance of all continuing disclosure requirements and arbitrage laws.
• Oversees the calculation of property annual property tax rates based on amounts levied by the City, school districts, and counties.
• Provides financial budgetary and financial guidance to the Common Council, Mayor, and department directors and staff.
• Oversees the collection of delinquent accounts.

Other Job Functions

• Serves on the Mayor's Leadership Team and advisory committees.
• Oversees the preparation of the semi-monthly agendas and minutes for Finance Committee meetings.
• Maintains accounting systems for the City.

Typical Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration or related field, eight to nine years municipal or public finance experience, CPA, or equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

• Knowledge of general laws and administrative policies governing municipal financial practices and procedures including State Statutes and City Code and policies.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting standards.
• Knowledge of cash management and various investment practices and techniques.
• Knowledge and experience in software application, implementation, and analysis.
• Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of subordinates in the various accounting functions while promoting career development and employee growth.
• Ability to perform fiscal planning and to advise on the formulation of fiscal policy.
• Ability to prepare financial reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with people at various levels both within and outside the organization.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and deal courteously and tactfully with other governmental agencies and the general public.
• Ability to coordinate and handle a variety of programs and activities within the time frame required.

Supplemental Information
COMPETENCIES
Communication
Visionary
Political Savvy
Strategic Skills
Decision Maker
To learn more about these competencies click

Skills Required