Finance Director

Located in northeastern Dane County, the City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (2025 estimated population 39,419), is seeking experienced municipal leaders as applicants to serve as the community’s next Finance Director. Sun Prairie is one of the fastest growing cities in Wisconsin, with an annual population growth of 700 to 1,000 residents. Located in the Greater Madison metropolitan region, Sun Prairie is the second largest community in Dane County conveniently located next to the City of Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Dane County region is consistently regarded near the top of the rankings for livability and quality of life indicators.

Top Candidate Qualities:

• Leadership and Team Management: Strong leadership abilities with a focus on managing, supporting, and guiding finance staff in essential fiscal functions, ensuring efficient and responsible fund management.
• Innovate and Improve: Continuously seeks ways to improve our financial operations and services to the public.
• Long-Range Financial Planning: Skilled in creating and managing long-term financial plans to support sustainable growth and asset management.
• Budget Development and Management: Proficient in developing and administering accounting guidelines, collaborating on budget analysis, and presenting formal budget proposals for leadership approval.
• Financial Reporting and Analysis: Extensive experience preparing comprehensive financial reports and conducting thorough research to provide data-driven insights for strategic decision-making.
• Financial Consulting and Bond Issuance: Knowledgeable in collaborating with financial consultants to secure project funding, including managing the bond issuance and credit rating process.

Starting salary of $139,711.39 - $151,228.11 depending on qualifications. Position is eligible for a 2% annual step increase July 1, 2025, based on performance.

• Sign-On Bonus: Selected candidate will be offered up to $10,000 as a sign-on bonus to be used on candidate choice of one-time expenses in 2025 including but not limited to: relocation assistance, education assistance, or financial bonus.
• Comprehensive benefit package with 2025 Health and Dental premiums are fully paid by the city. For more information, please visit the City’s Website: https://cityofsunprairie.com/955/Benefits.
• Bilingual Incentive Pay: $1.50 added to base pay for employees who meeting the minimum comprehension proficiency requirements in Spanish and Hmong.
• The city supports work-life balance by providing paid parental leave (240 hours), paid caregiver leave (80 hours), and a focus on physical and mental health through our Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Clinic.

Must be able to pass a background check and credit check.

Minimum Qualifications:

• The City of Sun Prairie is a high-performance organization and is committed to advancing equity, honoring our diverse identity, and creating an inclusive culture.
• All candidates are required to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance with certification as a CPA, MBA, MPA, CPFO and/or CGFM designations or any combination of training and experience that has developed the following skills:
  • Communicating effectively with internal and external contacts, including members of the City’s Department Head Team and the City Administrator.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for financial accounting including general ledger accounting and account reconciliation.
• Ability to formulate and install standard accounting methods, procedures, forms, and records in an automated environment. Ability to supervise, train and direct staff. Ability to evaluate and prioritize situations and tasks.
• Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate will have 10 years of progressive finance experience including governmental accounting and supervisory experience, possess an advanced degree such as a CPA, MBA, or MPA with a thorough understanding of GAAP principles, and demonstrate the ability for collaborative leadership to effectively work with diverse teams.

This individual must exude professionalism and maintain standards of ethical management and operational excellence.

Apply on the City of Sun Prairie website. If you need an accommodation during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 608-825-0761 or HumanResources@cityofsunprairie.com.

The City of Sun Prairie is committed to advancing equity, honoring our diverse identity, and creating an inclusive culture. These serve as our guiding principles every day in all that we do. Keep us accountable to this mission and join us in this commitment to a thriving Sun Prairie, as you live, work, and play.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled, first review of applications will begin February 17, 2025.