Job Description

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Town of Swampscott
Position Title: Finance Director
Department: Finance
Reports To: Town Administrator
Supervises: Assistant Town Accountant and other assigned staff
Classification: Senior Management
FLSA Status & Salary: Exempt Full Time, $155,000+-
Date: October 2025
Position Overview
The Finance Director serves as a key member of the Town's senior management team and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and administration of the Town's financial management functions. Under the general direction of the Town Administrator, the Finance Director provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Town's financial activities, ensuring fiscal stability, accountability, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
This position plays a central role in preparing and administering the Town's annual operating and capital budgets, maintaining accurate financial records, managing debt service, and providing professional guidance to the Town Administrator, Finance Committee, and Select Board. The Finance Director oversees the work of the Assistant Town Accountant and collaborates closely with department heads to support responsible fiscal management across all municipal operations, including Police, Fire, Library, Senior Center, and Town Hall.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and supervises all Town-side financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, purchasing, cash management, debt service, assessing, and financial reporting.

• Works closely with the Town Administrator to prepare, implement, and monitor the Town's annual operating and capital budgets.

• Provides financial analysis, projections, and recommendations to assist in policy development and decision-making by the Town Administrator, Finance Committee, and Select Board. o Oversees the preparation and submission of required financial reports to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) and to Federal agencies and ensures compliance with Massachusetts General Laws and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

• Supervises and supports the Assistant Town Accountant in all accounting functions, including payroll, accounts payable, receivables, general ledger maintenance, and account reconciliations.

• Coordinates with department heads to review and monitor departmental budgets, expenditures, and financial procedures.

• Works in concert with Assessor to prepare, present, and submit the annual tax rate recap o Collaborates with the Public Schools' Finance Director regarding overall town-wide financial planning once the school budget has been approved and submitted.

• Develop and provide initial and ongoing training opportunities for department heads and staff on financial concepts relevant to their roles, including the use of the town's financial software and best practices for payroll, purchasing, budgeting, payables, receivables, etc. Serves as the primary liaison to the Finance Committee and participates in regular meetings to provide updates, reports, and analysis on the Town's financial position.

• Drafts financial articles and proposed motions for town meetings as needed; attends and advises annual and special town meetings on financial articles

• Prepares and manages the Town's five-year financial forecast and capital improvement planning models.

• Manages debt issuance to ensure adequate funding for and timely payment of all principal and interest obligations.

• Maintains documented internal controls to safeguard public funds and ensures accuracy and integrity in financial records;

• Performs regular testing of internal controls and makes recommendations to the Town Administrator regarding changes in financial procedure or policy periodically

• Coordinates and oversees the Town's annual independent audit

• Maintains support for GAAP-based financial reporting, including but not limited to fixed asset schedules, compensated absence balances, lease schedules, and other post-employment benefits plans

• Advises the Town Administrator on matters of long-term financial planning, investment strategy, and fiscal policy.

• Ensures compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal financial regulations.

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required; Master's degree or licensed CPA preferred.

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal or governmental finance, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory or management capacity.

• Certification as a Massachusetts Certified Governmental Accountant (CMA) or eligibility for certification is strongly preferred.

• Experience with Tyler ERP/MUNIS financial software preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of municipal finance, accounting, and budget management practices.

• Strong understanding of Massachusetts General Laws, including the UMAS Accounting System, Department of Revenue requirements, and municipal financial procedures.

• Proven ability to develop, manage, and analyze complex budgets and financial forecasts.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

• Proficiency in municipal financial software systems, Excel, and other Microsoft Office applications.

Work Environment
Work is performed primarily in a professional office setting during regular business hours, with occasional evening meetings required. The role involves frequent interaction with Town officials, department heads, boards, committees, auditors, and the general public.
Compensation
This is a full-time, exempt, Senior Management position. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications and includes a comprehensive benefits package in accordance with Town policies.

Skills Required