A standard job posting for a Finance Operations Manager (Comptroller, Controller, or Accounting Manager) will cover the primary responsibilities and the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in the role. A well-written job posting will have a strong focus on ethics, long-term planning, and an emphasis on building a collaborative environment. You should also include values that help identify a candidate who prioritizes building trust with the public. The accounting manager will be the chief accountant and manage all accounting and financial reporting functions.

GFOA developed this checklist to guide you through the process of writing a job posting that will highlight the strengths of your community and finance office, and allow you to hire an individual with a long-term vision, excellent leadership skills, and strong ethics. As you write the job description, consider it as an opportunity to promote your community and organization’s values. Highlight the opportunity the position presents, and how a finance manager fits within the overall leadership structure of the organization.

• Publication date: March 2021