What are the responsibilities and job description for the Comptroller position at City of Alexandria, VA?
Comptroller
The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter of the City’s square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for the Comptroller position.
An Overview
The Comptroller is responsible for the direction, planning and management of the Finance Department's 12 FTE Accounting Division (Division). The ideal candidate has outstanding technical expertise, strong management and interpersonal skills, and will represent the Department in an engaging and effective manner before customers, City employees, and other City officials. He/she must demonstrate strong leadership skills, a team-based approach to work, superior analytical skills and a commitment to excellent customer service for all constituencies.
The Comptroller will assist Finance Department leadership in the formulation, coordination, and interpretation of policies and procedures for the Division. This position is responsible for day-to-day Division management which includes planning, directing, participating in, and reviewing the work of professional and non-professional accounting and other personnel; the installation or revision of accounting and auditing processes, policies and procedures; account classifications and statement preparation; supervision of the fixed assets system; and investigation and resolution of policy issues. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Finance Director and Deputy Director and is reviewed through meetings, reports, and the evaluation of results obtained. A significant aspect of this position involves the establishment and maintenance of internal financial controls, the coordination of divisional workflow and automated financial management systems, and the preparation and accuracy of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
What You Should Bring
We seek candidates who have highly developed written and verbal communication skills. Candidates must have a proven track record of growth and leadership in an accounting setting; excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; the ability to think creatively; a commitment to operating with integrity; a passion for pursuing business process improvement and implementing best practices; and strong customer service skills. Deep knowledge of and significant hands-on experience with large scale financial software systems is needed, preferably within a state or local government setting. Expertise in local government financial administration and a deep understanding of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) reporting and standards is strongly preferred.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The successful candidate will have thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for government and government accounting, auditing, and financial reporting; thorough knowledge of complex financial management information systems; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration; thorough knowledge of project management concepts and techniques; strong knowledge of departmental information technology systems; thorough knowledge of accrual accounting, payroll administration, treasury management, revenue and license administration; the ability to analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting records and to prepare accurate and complete financial statements from such records; the ability to prepare difficult and complex financial and administrative reports; the ability to prepare and submit clear, concise and accurate reports either verbally or in writing; and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, governmental officials, and the general public.
The Opportunity – Examples of Work
The incumbent supervises and oversees the daily operation of the Accounting Division, provides guidance to staff members, organizes and directs Division activities, and communicates Division assignments, policies and priorities to staff. Specifically, the Comptroller:
- Enforces adequate financial control procedures to ensure disciplined financial management, adherence to appropriation limits and contractual billings and accountability for City assets;
- Monitors the City’s revenues and expenditures throughout the year, in collaboration with Finance Department leadership, to ensure adequate knowledge and awareness of the City’s financial position;
- Ensures City compliance with all applicable State, Federal, and local audit and financial reporting requirements and deadlines.
- Interprets and implements new GASB statements;
- Communicates and interprets financial policies and procedures to financial staff within the City's operating departments;
- Coordinates all aspects of the annual financial audit process;
- Prepares, with staff assistance, the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and other such periodic and special financial reports as City management requires;
- Directs the preparation of the single audit in accordance with Federal Audit Report A133 for Grants;
- Directs month-end and year-end closing processes to ensure fiscal rigor and set the stage for the preparation of timely and accurate financial statements for periodic and annual reporting;
- Coordinates and supervises the preparation of special projects requested by City Council, City Manager, Director of Finance, and the Office of Management and Budget;
- Resolves complex accounting and operational questions and studies, and prepares special analyses of accounting issues;
- Formulates and enforces policies related to tracking and recording revenues and expenses at the City Department level, including fostering a culture of training and support for fiscal officers in other divisions and agencies;
- Directs the reconciliation of the City's bank accounts and directs the reconciliation of all City retirement accounts;
- Oversees financial reporting for the City's seven pension plans, including those for General employees, the Police, Sheriff and Fire;
- Monitors the City bus transit (DASH) revenue streams and expenditures;
- Directs the preparation of the Cost Allocation Report for the City;
- Evaluates and counsels employees on the performance of all assigned duties.
About The Department
The City of Alexandria's Finance Department is a fast-paced, diverse, and customer service focused operation that is responsible for: the assessment, collection, and enforcement of all City taxes, the management of cash flow and investments, accounting for and reporting the City’s financial position, processing payroll, executing a fair and competitive procurement environment, assessing all real and personal property in the City, managing the City’s risk and safety programs, and managing the City’s pension plans. The Finance Department has seven divisions and in fiscal year 2025 is operating with a total budget of $15.6 million and 110 FTE positions.
The goal of the Finance Department is to treat all employees, residents, and business owners professionally, with fairness and compassion.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
Extensive experience in accounting, including progressively responsible administrative and supervisory experience; and completion of college-level courses in accounting, financial management, business and public administration, computer science, and management information systems; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in public financial administration; designation as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA); at least five years of experience in local government, directly overseeing development of an ACFR and working with external auditors; expertise in using complex financial software systems as well as other applications for financial modeling and analysis.
Notes
This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to a criminal background check. The selection process for this position may include a phone or virtual interview, and in-person interview.
The salary range for this position is $111,654.14 to $200,051.54.
Salary : $111,654 - $200,052
