City of Palmetto

Position Title: Finance Director

Department: Finance

Reports To: City Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: Grade 22

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Council Meetings and Council Retreats, and occasional evenings.

The Finance Director is a key executive-level leader responsible for directing and managing all financial activities of the City of Palmetto. Under the general direction of the City Manager, the Finance Director oversees the city’s financial strategy and long-term fiscal health in alignment with local, state, and federal policies. This position ensures the implementation of strong internal financial controls, promotes fiscal transparency, and supports the city’s mission of sustainable and responsible governance. The Finance Director provides strategic leadership in budgeting, accounting, investments, debt management, purchasing, revenue collection, and utility billing functions, ensuring financial compliance and accurate reporting to the Mayor, City Council and the City Administrator.

Major Duties:

  Directs the methods and procedures for all City financial accounts, designate financial accounting records as may be deemed necessary with the authority to recommend changes in implementation and maintenance.

  Monitor and manage City debt, credit ratings, and investment portfolios to ensure fiscal stability and adherence to regulatory compliance.

  Monitors all deposits to ensure they are completed daily, that all cash and checks are accounted for and deposited appropriately, and file in accordance with best practices.

  Develops, installs and maintains accounting and budgetary systems which provide control of expenditures within all applicable guidelines, rules, regulations, legal constraints and budgetary controls.

  Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing public finance.

  Manage the year-end fiscal close process and coordinate the annual audit, serving as the primary liaison to external auditors.

  Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent financial reporting to external agencies, regulatory bodies and elected officials.

  Oversee the completion and submission of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) in accordance with GAAP and GASB standards.

  Plans long-range goals, objectives, organizational structure and overall financial direction of City departments.

  Evaluate the financial condition of the City through forecasting, long-term planning, and financial modeling.

  Provides direction and assistance to department staff and departments in the preparation and presentation of the City’s annual budget, financial audit reports, revenue administration and treasury management, implementation of auditor recommendations, and citywide policies and procedures.

  Provides technical advice, counsel and direction to the Mayor, Council and department heads as necessary to ensure effective administration and implementation of City-approved policies, plans, procedures and systems, files various financial federal and state reports.

  Prepares and reviews monthly, quarterly and annual balance sheets and schedule of revenues and expenditures; presents report to Mayor and Council.

  Research financing options for the City and making recommendations to the City Administrator, Mayor and Council.

  At the direction of Mayor and Council, invests municipal funds and closely monitors funds to obtain optimum return for the City.

  Reviews the general ledger system for proper entries and compliance with state and federal regulations; prepares necessary reports.

  Develops and recommends annual department operating budget; monitors and administers approved budget; assists in development of and advises Mayor, Council and City Administrator on annual operating budget and capital budget and expenditures.

  Supervise and mentor the finance department personnel, promoting professional development and operational efficiency.

  Analyzes and performs forecasting related to rate structure and determines supply needs for the electrical power department and the water department. Coordinates wholesale power supply and retail billing.

  Collaborate with the City Clerk on financial issues related to utilities.

  Implement systems to maximize revenue collection while maintaining fairness and regulatory compliance.

  Oversee the procurement and purchasing functions to ensure cost-effective purchasing and compliance with city procurement ordinances.

  Manages all banking accounts, relationships, and services.

  Develop and maintain a comprehensive risk management strategy to mitigate exposure and ensure fiscal protection.

  Maintain and enforce a robust system of internal controls to protect the City’s assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.

  Ensure the City’s assets are properly insured and manage claims and insurance renewals.

  Implements and installs all changes to the financial reporting system, as required.

  Represents the City and the Finance Department in public meetings, including budget hearings, council meetings, and community events when required.

  Approves invoices for payment, researches any issues and contacts vendors to resolve all outstanding matters.

  Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

  Advanced knowledge of public accounting, finance, budgeting and auditing principles, procedures and techniques.

  Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of public finance administration including budget preparation.

  Advanced knowledge of statistical methods, techniques, and financial report preparation.

  Advanced knowledge of financial system design and analysis.

  Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of fund investing procedures and cash management.

  Knowledge of administrative practices and principles including goal setting, program budget development and implementation.

  Knowledge of City ordinances, City’s investment policies and bond agreements, federal and state payroll taxes and laws governing local governments.

  Knowledge of general office procedures, policies and equipment.

  Skill in effective and clear oral and written communications about the City’s finances to individuals and groups.

  Ability to interpret and apply related federal, state, and local laws.

  Ability to apply sound administrative and fiscal practices.

  Ability to write clear, comprehensive explanatory texts to accompany financial reports.

  Ability to prepare accounting/financial data projections.

  Ability to present ideas effectively orally and in writing.

  Ability to supervise the work of departmental staff including coordinating, assigning, monitoring, and evaluating work; hiring, training, counseling, and disciplining staff; and processing grievances.

  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other City employees/departments, City officials, and the public.

  Ability to act as a staff advisor regarding financial information and reporting to the Mayor and Council.

Supervisory Controls: The position is under the direct supervision of the City Administrator.

Guidelines: Guidelines include governmental General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards (GAS), state and federal laws and regulations governing municipal financial administration, city and departmental rules and regulations, and city ordinances, policies and procedures. These guidelines are sometimes clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

Complexity: Work requires analysis and judgment in accomplishing diversified duties. Work requires the exercise of independent thinking within the limits of guidelines, policies, standards, and precedents.

Scope and Effect: The purpose of this position is to plan and direct the financial operations and management of the City. Successful implementation ensures effective administration and implementation of approved financial policies, procedures, plans and programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration or closely related field, Master's degree or CPA preferred.

Minimum of five (5) years of progressive, responsible financial management experience, preferably in local government or public agency setting.

A minimum of two (2) years in a supervisory or management role.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Public Administration.

· Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) designation.

· Experience with ERP or financial software systems commonly used in local government (e.g., Tyler Technologies, Munis, or similar).

· Familiarity with state-specific budgeting or financial management regulations.