The City of Madison Finance Department is looking to hire our next Assistant Finance Director for Accounting Services. This is a key leadership role in the Finance Department that is responsible for citywide financial reporting, enterprise resource planning, accounting policies, and internal control procedures. The Accounting Services section includes 22 full time employees and is responsible for general and enterprise accounting, procurement, and payroll services. A strong candidate will be knowledgeable of modified and accrual basis of accounting for governmental entities; debt and arbitrage accounting; payroll accounting; internal controls; key management, communication, and team-building principles; and preparation of financial reports and other financial documentation.
The City of Madison has over 3,000 employees and provides public safety, public works, transit, library, parks and recreation, and planning, community and economic development services to nearly 300,000 residents. The City operates a convention center and parking, stormwater, sewer, and water utilities. It has a joint venture public health department with Dane County and has a community development and public housing authority. The City typically issues nearly $150 million of general obligation debt annually to fund equipment and long-term assets.
The position offers a hybrid work schedule of a maximum of three days per week on a remote basis. A greater in-office presence may be required periodically for meetings, events, training, onboarding, or other operational needs. This schedule may change based on operational needs and organizational requirements. The position is headquartered at the City-County Building in Madison, WI.
***IMPORTANT: A complete application will include a cover letter that describes your training, education, and experience, as it relates to this position. The maximum length is two (2) pages.
Your cover letter must address both of the following prompts:
Describe your experience with governmental accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls. Please include the most complex financial reports you have been responsible for, the tools used, and the organization where you gained this experience.
Describe your supervisory experience including your approach to building cohesive and inclusive teams. Please include the size of your team and total number of direct reports.
YOU MUST ATTACH YOUR COVER LETTER IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT AN ATTACHED COVER LETTER THAT ADDRESSES THE ABOVE PROMPTS WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION.***
Our Community
The City of Madison is regularly included in lists of top places to live. A thriving food scene, more than 200 miles of trails for hiking, biking and snowshoeing, excellent healthcare, and of course great transit work together to help meet Madison’s vision to be inclusive, innovative, and thriving.
#11 Best Places to Live in the Nation - U.S. News and World Report – 2023
#1 Best Places to Live - Livability.com – 2021 and 2022
#1 Best Cities for Families - SafeHome.org – 2019
#2 ranked among top 30 mid-sized US cities for green commuting - CommercialCafe – 2024
More Madison rankings and accolades can be found on the City's Webpage and on Destination Madison.
Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn’t match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.
Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILIITES
Accounting, Audit, and Financial Reporting and Analysis:
- Evaluate, develop, and maintain citywide accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and other federal and state programs. Implement new standards (e.g. GASB pronouncements) and recommend improvements to existing practices to ensure the City remains in compliance with applicable standards.
- Lead the preparation of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). This work includes project management, delegating work to subordinate staff, and serving as the City’s liaison to the independent external auditors during annual preliminary and final fieldwork audit evaluations and testing.
- Oversee the implementation, maintenance, training, and administration of the city-wide enterprise resource planning solution.
- With subordinate staff, ensure accurate and timely compliance with the various reporting requirements for other governmental entities, bi-weekly payroll, debt management including borrowing recommendations and post-issuance compliance, and adherence to city-wide procurement guidelines.
- Provide public reporting of city financial information for use by the Mayor, Common Council, and other users.
- Directing and leading accounting services and other agency staff:
- Provide leadership, policy direction, training, and expert advice to professional and technical staff in the functional areas of governmental accounting, financial management, payroll, debt, and procurement services.
- Delegate and monitor work responsibilities and projects with the participation of subordinate supervisors.
- Recommend operational changes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of accounting services and financial reporting.
- Foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel they can safely express themselves.
- Encourage positive cross-departmental operations.
- Uphold the standard of behavior for professional accountants outlined in the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants – integrity, objectivity, professional competence, and due care, confidentiality and professional behavior.
- Demonstrate the ability to be highly organized, detail-oriented, and accurate while adhering to deadlines; ability to work under pressure while handling multiple priorities; ability to be diplomatic, tactful, and courteous, including during adverse situations.
Finance Department’s Management Team:
- Participate in regular meetings and report on accounting services work responsibilities and projects.
- Assist with other department-wide and city-wide initiatives and projects.
- Communicate and maintain trusting relationships with city staff, business partners, and residents.
- Serve in the Finance Director’s capacity when delegated.
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, including conducting complex financial reporting, implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, developing accounting and internal control policies, and ensuring organizational practices conform with governmental accounting standards. At least three (3) years of experience must be in governmental (fund) accounting. This may include experience in state or municipal government, public utilities, school districts, special authorities, or other governmental entities; AND
- Two (2) years of supervisory experience that includes overseeing a variety of professional staff, which may include other supervisors, multiple program areas, and/or performing a wide scope of management duties.
One of the following qualifications may substitute for a portion of the experience requirements listed above:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) may substitute for three (3) years of experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or closely related area may substitute for two (2) years of experience.
- Associate's degree in finance, accounting, or closely related area may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
Other combinations of training and/or experience which can be demonstrated to result in the possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position will also be considered.
For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the class specification.
The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to be bonded. Ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.
The employee will be expected to attend meetings and provide presentations outside the normal work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is performed in an office environment, using equipment such as a computer, telephone, copier, etc.
*Payroll title for this position is Assistant Finance Director