FINANCE DIRECTOR

Salary : $159,084.00 - $214,764.00 Annually

Location : City of West Covina, CA

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 2025-014

Department : Finance Department

Opening Date : 01 / 30 / 2025

Description

The City is in search of its next Finance Director.

The posting will remain open until filled. First review will be Friday, February 14, 2025.

Applicants must submit cover letter, resume, and five professional references.

Job Summary :

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, directs the auditing, budget preparation, general accounting, grant accounting, cashiering services, business licensing, information technology, transient occupancy tax, and treasury functions, and purchasing activities of the City; oversees various City tax and other revenue-producing programs; participation in special Citywide management functions and projects such as long-term capital budgeting, installation of data processing programs; and performs related duties as required.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions :

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Oversees or directs the preparation of the City budget; supervises the review of budget requests and the compilation of estimates and projections to effect a balanced budget.

Forecasts budget revenues; analyzes reserves; attends all budget meetings and hearings held with various departments and divisions; assists with review of all budget documents for the City; performs analysis; reviews cash flow projections; prepares long-term financial analyses for the City.

Monitors and evaluates legislative, regulatory, and other governing body rulemaking changes that may have a financial impact on the City; reviews City financial policies and Finance Department procedures to enhance financial management internal controls over various types of financial transactions.

Oversees the review of revenue and expenditure reports in comparison with planned budget and recommends control necessary to keep budget in balance.

Directs the preparation of reports for State and private agencies.

Provides direction for the staff of the Finance Department to assist department heads on financial problems and maintaining cost records of financial activities.

Oversees the general accounting system of the City.

Oversees and is responsible for the disbursement of all monies.

Directs the audit of all expenditures as to budget or Council authorization.

Directs and approves payment of all bills, purchase orders, invoices, payrolls, and demands.

Directs the preparation of all financial reporting and audits.

Responsible for the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and annual budget in conformance with CSMFO and GFOA established guidelines; preparation of the Budget Letter of Transmittal, Management's Discussion and Analysis and ACFR Letter of Transmittal.

Directs the staff and operations of the City's Information Technology Division..

Evaluates policies, operating methods, and results of the program of motel-hotel tax, sales tax, cashiering, and data processing, including the preparation of regular and special reports covering the revision, improvement, or adjustment of these programs and related services, fees, or expenditures.

Responsible for the collection of business license taxes, transient occupancy taxes and the billing and collection of accounts and loans receivable; manages the preparation of various annual and periodic reports to a variety of external entities. Supervises the operations internal services.

Directs the City's cash management program and the investment of idle funds as directed by the Finance Director; monitor cash balances in all funds; review transactions in relation to community facilities districts, assessment districts, and long-term debt investments.

Develops and implements departmental goals, objectives and priorities

Develops and administers policies and procedures.

Establishes appropriate service and staffing levels.

Allocates resources accordingly.

Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures.

Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel.

Provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies.

Prepares and reviews agenda item reports; conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to finance programs, policies and procedures as appropriate.

May plan, organize, direct and administer the City's Human Resources and Risk Management programs and services.

May serve as Personnel Officer.

May act as chief negotiator and participates in negotiations during meet and confer sessions with various employee organizations. Act as advisor to the City Council and City Manager on labor relations matters.

May serve as Acting City Manager when so designated.

Performs related work as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for an executive level finance position. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of :

Knowledge of :

Principles and practices of public administration.

Approved principles and standard practices of centralized accounting, auditing, payroll, and revenue projection and management.

Purchasing, data processing and duplicating services and the laws affecting municipal finance administration.

Computer applications in administrative functions.

Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations pertaining to public finance and accounting.

Principles of research, statistical analysis and report preparation.

General office procedures; operation and care of general-purpose computer equipment.

Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation; Economic / business cycles.

Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables), Word and PowerPoint.

City finance policies and procedures, Civil Service Rules and labor contract provisions.

Ability to :

Deal effectively with superiors and subordinates.

Deal effectively with the general public, City staff, and representatives of various public and private agencies.

Analyze and make sound recommendations on complex accounting and financial issues, data and operations.

Understand, interpret, explain and apply federal, state and local policy, law, regulations and court decisions regulating the City's financial accounting, reporting and record keeping.

Develop and implement sound financial and accounting procedures and controls.

Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.

Prepare and present oral and written reports.

Define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and develop sound, independent conclusions and recommendations in accordance with laws, regulations, rules and policies.

Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies and other written materials.

Exercise sound, expert independent judgment within general policy guidelines.

Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues and situations.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the City Manager, Mayor and Council Members, department heads and managers, staff, representatives of other agencies, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training, and Experience

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting, finance administration, public administration, or a closely related field is required.

Master's Degree in a related field is desirable.

Seven (7) years of professional experience in governmental accounting or finance, including at least four (4) years in a supervisory capacity.

Licenses / Certifications

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, Certified Public Finance Officers (CPFO), or other accreditation in a related field is desirable.

Physical Requirements :

This position also requires extensive and repetitive physical activity involving the arms, wrists, and hands, including writing and using a keyboard. It also requires physical abilities associated with the ability to read, write and communicate in a work environment requiring no extraordinary physical strength or other special physical qualifications.

Supplemental Information

The City of West Covina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

RETIREMENT - The Department Head pays the entire member contribution to the Public Employees' Retirement System. For Department Heads hired prior to January 1, 2011, the retirement formula shall be 2.5% at age 55. For Department Heads hired between January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2013, or having reciprocity with another PERS agency and determined to be new "Classic" CalPERS members, the retirement formula shall be 2% at age 60. For Department Heads hired on or after January 1, 2013, and who are defined as "New CalPERS Members" the retirement formula shall be 2% at age 62.

HEALTH INSURANCE - The City will provide up to the corresponding Los Angeles Region Kaiser rate per month (Employee only, Employee plus one, or Employee plus 2 or more (family)) towards health coverage through the Public Employees' Retirement Systems (PERS). Department Heads covered by a health insurance plan outside of the City's plan will receive $600 if hired prior to June 30, 2012, and $300 if hired July 1, 2012, or later.

DENTAL INSURANCE - A dental program is offered at group rates. The City contributes up to $62.23 per month.

VISION INSURANCE - The City has a paid vision plan for employees only. Department Heads may enroll eligible dependents at his / her cost.

LIFE / AD&D INSURANCE - The City provides term life insurance in the amount of $100,000 while employed, and $100,000 AD&D insurance while on duty, and a post-retirement death benefit of $10,000.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY - The City shall provide all Department Heads a long-term disability insurance (LTD) plan, which provides sixty percent (60%) of monthly earnings, to a maximum benefit of $10,000 per month. Benefits become payable on the later of : 1) 180 days; or 2) the date your accumulated leave time is exhausted. Coverage after 90 days may be purchased by the employee through payroll deduction and must be purchased within thirty (30) days of employment.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - The City shall contribute for each Department Head $300 per month to a deferred compensation plan.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE - Department Heads will receive a maximum of 140 hours per year in administrative leave.

HOLIDAYS - 6 fixed holidays per year, including 40 floating holiday hours. In addition, City Hall is closed December 24th to January 1st.

VACATION LEAVE - 80 hours accrued per year and upon completion of one year of employment, the Department Head shall be granted an additional 40 hours. In addition, Department Heads shall be eligible to use up to 40 hours of Floating holiday leave per each calendar year as approved by the City Manager.

SICK LEAVE - 96 hours accrued per year. There is an unlimited accumulation and the City has an annual payoff plan for unused sick leave, plus a payoff plan upon termination.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - Up to 40 hours per occurrence will be available to a Department Head.

RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS) PLAN - The City will contribute $250 dollars per month into an RHS plan for all Department Heads.

SECTION 125 - The City has established a program consistent with Section 125 of the IRS Code, which enables employees to voluntarily use pre-tax earnings for medical, dental, and dependent care expenses.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT - The City provides a tuition reimbursement program for all regular full-time employees for continuing job related education.

CAR ALLOWANCE - The provision of a City car or the option of a $300 per month allowance in lieu of a City car.

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE (Public Safety) -The Police Chief and Fire Chief will receive an annual uniform allowance of $1,000, payable in January of each year.

STATE DISABILITY - Department Heads have the option to sign up for State Disability at no cost to the City. Department Heads will be responsible for the full cost of the premiums

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?

List any job related certification(s) or license(s) you possess. If you do not have any, state "not applicable."

How many years of experience do you have in accounting or a related field?

How many years of supervisory experience do you have?

Required Question

Salary : $159,084 - $214,764