Under limited supervision, to plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the Finance department including the following functions: accounting, payroll, purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, investments, budget, and audit; coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager; and perform other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: 

This is a single-incumbent executive-level classification.  The employee performs his/her duties under minimal supervision.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Direct all department services and activities including accounting, payroll, purchasing, accounts payable, data processing, accounts receivable, investments, budget, and audit; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Develop, update, and present long and short term financial forecasts of City expenses, revenues and debt service models. Plan, direct and coordinate the annual budget preparation process working closely with the City Manager and other department heads to prepare budget documents of the very highest quality that reflect both the guidelines established by the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting and the Government Finance Officer’s Association’s (GFOA) recommended practices on budgeting.
• Develop annual and long-range capital and operating budgets, evaluate debt capacity and debt structure.
• Prepare the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) in conjunction with other City departments and outside auditors which comply with GAAP and GFOA’s program policy of full disclosure and accountability for the City’s finances.
• Direct and oversee the preparation of financial reports, fiscal statements, analysis and audits; oversee the maintenance of financial records and files; direct and oversee the city investments; prepare various surveys, questionnaires and grant applications.
• Prepare bank depository contracts, requests for proposals and bid specifications; review bank reconciliations, account payables and payroll records; oversee fixed asset inventory.
• Prepare property tax rate calculations; review bond payment schedules; track securities pledged by banks.
• Prepare wholesale water rate calculations in conformance with American Water Works Association guidelines.
• Manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area.
• Establish, within city policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Explain, justify and defend department programs, policies and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Represent the Finance department to other departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Provide staff assistance to the City Manager; participate on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of financial management.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS: 

Knowledge of: 

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive financial management program.
• Principles and practices of governmental accounting and the regulations governing the reporting of municipal government financial activities.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Methods and techniques of governmental accounting including GAAP and GASB
• Advanced principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to financial management.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Advanced methods and techniques of report preparation.
• Operations, services and activities of municipal government.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Manage and direct a comprehensive financial management program.
• Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives and procedures.
• Analyze and assess programs, policies and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs.
• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of subordinate employees.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate subordinate employees.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Comply with all posting and publication guidelines.
• Develop and administer an efficient records management system.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce departmental policies and procedures.
• Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education, Training and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in finance, accounting, business or public administration or a related field.
• At least five years of increasingly responsible experience in governmental financial management, accounting or a related field including five years extensive supervisory responsibilities in a government finance environment. 

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, within three years of employment Certified Public Finance Officer designation.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Certified Public Accountant license is preferred.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and potentially dissatisfied individuals.

Work Environment:

The employee works in an office environment where the noise level is usually quiet. Certain positions within the classification may require availability to work flexible schedule.

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Must be able to work outside the normal work hours.

About City of Waxahachie

Since it was founded in 1850, Waxahachie has been an important agricultural, commercial, educational, retail and transportation center in North Texas. Waxahachie grew rapidly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, mostly due to the prosperous cotton industry. Because of the success of Waxahachie’s early cotton barons, Ellis County quickly became the nation’s largest cotton-producing county during the early 1900s. Cotton played a very important role in the early development of Waxahachie, and as a result, many cotton related industries, including one of the state’s first textile mills, was established in the town. The strong economy of the late 1800s and early 1900s largely contributed to a construction boom that resulted in the rapid development of the downtown area, as well as large residential neighborhoods with beautiful Victorian homes. In 1895, the historic Ellis County courthouse was completed, and remains as the town’s most impressive landmark today. Visitors from all over the world travel to Waxahachie each year to visit the historic courthouse. As a result of the Great Depression of the 1930s, demand for cotton greatly decreased, and most of the gins ...and textile mills were forced to close. Post World War II, Waxahachie entered the automobile age, along with the rest of the nation. Fortunately, when this occurred, Waxahachie benefitted greatly from it’s location. At the time, U.S. 77 and U.S. 287 met at the northwest corner of the downtown area. With the construction of Interstate 35, Waxahachie has continued to benefit from its proximity to these major roadways. Throughout the years, these highways have proven to be a tremendous asset to the economy of the community, providing easy accessibility for commercial facilities and residential development.Waxahachie continues to be an attractive area for developers and individuals to locate. Just a short drive from the Metroplex, Waxahachie also has a number of festivals and events throughout the year for residents and visitors to enjoy. In 1997, the Texas State Legislature designated Waxahachie as the “Crape Myrtle Capital of Texas.” Each summer, the city’s historic streets are lined with hundreds of beautiful pink crape myrtles in full bloom. Waxahachie’s year-round attractions and festivals include the Crossroads of Texas Film and Music Festival in April, Gingerbread Trail in June, Crape Myrtle Festival in July, and the Texas Country Reporter Festival in October. December offers an array of activities with the Parade of Lights, Christmas Tour of Homes and Bethlehem Revisited. The current population is just over 47,000, with a healthy average growth rate of 3.7%. Waxahachie continues to benefit from its convenient location at the intersection of I-35 and US 287.The City of Waxahachie offers a competitive salary and benefit package to our employees.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at City of Waxahachie