FINANCE DIRECTOR

The City of Fairburn is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as our next Finance Director. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in municipal finance, with a deep understanding of GAAP (General Accepted Accounting Principles) and the ability to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. The Finance Director will be an essential partner in driving the City's financial strategy and ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability. Reports to the City Administrator.

Hiring Range: $124,537.30 - $136,991.03 Annually (Depending on qualifications)

Work Days/Hours: Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Posting Start: 03/12/2025

Posting End: open until filled

JOB SUMMARY

The Finance Director is responsible for overseeing the financial activities of the City. Work involves managing, planning, forecasting and directing the staff responsible for the operation and administration of the City’s Finance Department. This position will report to the City Administrator and work with Mayor, Department Heads, vendors and auditors.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Directs and oversees the City’s financial management operations to ensure compliance with General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Ensures compliance with all state, federal and local laws related to the financial operation of the City.
• Provides leadership and strategic direction for determining priorities, goals and objectives of the City’s Finance Department; plans, organizes and coordinates complex project activities including the development and preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals; promotes staff collaboration, innovation and critical thinking in developing solutions and approaches to departmental issues. Responsible for effective employee relations, staff development and administration of human resources policies and procedures.
• Provides direction and assistance to department staff and departments in the preparation and presentation of the City’s annual budget, financial audit report, revenue administration and treasury management, implementation of auditor recommendations, and city-wide policies and procedures.
• Conducts research, prepares special reports, prepares position papers, recommends solutions and makes presentation to the City Administrator, Mayor, elected officials and general public.
• Under the direction of the City Administrator, has primary responsibility in preparing the annual budgets for the General Fund, Special Revenue funds, Debt Service fund, Capital Project funds, Enterprise (water, sewer, electric) fund, and Internal Service Fund.
• Monitors and controls execution of city budgets by reviewing monthly Budget vs. Actual reports and ensuring department compliance with City budgetary policies.
• Prepares and reviews monthly, quarterly, and annual balance sheets and schedule of revenues and expenditures; presents report to Mayor and City Council.
• Verifies accounting reconciliations of all Subsidiary and General Ledgers, including Utilities, Property Taxes, Account Payables and Receivables.
• Verifies the reconciliation of account balances for inter-fund/government funds to related amortization schedules; approves bank reconciliations; approves journal entries; approves all budget adjustments; oversees the City’s cash management program and authorizes transfer of cash and investment assets and wire transfers for Mayor’s approval.
• Conducts ongoing review of the procurement operation to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures with a goal of continuous improvement (streamlining) of operations.
• Advises departments on the applicability of the Purchasing Ordinance policies and procedures; provides technical assistance to same by writing or assisting with the formulation of requests for proposals, bid specifications, and requests for information.
• Provides purchasing support for capital and maintenance projects; solicits bids for projects, and consults with departments on bid analysis, contractor capabilities, and contract compliance issues.
• Reviews Water/Sewer bond transactions; reconcile bond balances to amortization schedule.
• Develops and reviews monthly financial reports; investigates abnormal fluctuations in operating revenues and expenditures and make report to Mayor and City Administrator.
• Maintains a current and comprehensive knowledge of developments in the field of municipal finance, particularly new laws/legislation, professional trends and technological advances; maintains professional affiliations; attends conferences, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field with eight (8) years o progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance or a related field and 5-7 years of supervisory experience in municipal Auditing or Accounting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree is desirable. Local government experience a plus.

Licenses or Certifications:

Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) and Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designations preferred.

State of Georgia Driver’s License required

Special Requirements:

Ability to satisfy appropriate employment background investigation including possessing a satisfactory credit history.

Requires an acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check and an acceptable driving record.

Requires pre-employment medical evaluation and satisfactory results from a pre-employment alcohol and controlled substance testing in accordance state regulations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of federal and state laws affecting local government finances.

• Thorough knowledge of federal and state grant administration procedures.

• Thorough knowledge of management principals and supervisory practices.

• Thorough knowledge of modern office practices, methods, equipment and standard clerical procedures, including computers and related software applications.

• Comprehensive knowledge of Business English, spelling, arithmetic and municipal budgeting procedures.

• Ability to interpret and apply related federal, state and local laws.

• Ability to effectively manage and supervise department employees.

• Ability to monitor and assess operations, workload, projects, and staff performance.

• Ability to organize, supervise and give clear instructions to employees. Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions.

• Ability to adapt and perform under minimal stress when confronted with an emergency.

• Ability to understand and develop computer models for costs analysis and compose financial and budgetary reports.

• Ability to work substantially independently, exercising sound judgment and decision-making skills.

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in managing subordinates, including the handling of emergency situations, determining and deciding upon procedures to be implemented, setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems.

• Ability to quickly and accurately analyze situations and professionally respond as necessary with solutions to problems and alternative courses of action.

• Ability to perform work that is widely varied, involving analyzing and evaluating many complex and significant variables.

• Ability to organize wide policies, procedures, or precedents that may be developed and/or recommended.

• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to perform complex mathematical computations and/or statistical analysis.

• Ability to act as a staff advisor to the Mayor and City Council.

• Ability to research, compile and analyze data, and present findings to the City Council in an acceptable format.

• Ability to learn and remain up-to-date on Federal, State and City applicable regulations, best practices and policies affecting department activities.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other government representatives, contractors, partners, consultants, vendors, and general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force. Work requires the ability to exert moderate physical effort, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight. Tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in an indoor environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Occasional outdoor work may be required. Some local and out of town travel required as necessary for training and/or to carry out duties and responsibilities.

The City of Fairburn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss accommodations with the employer.