Comptroller - Town of Amherst - AMHERST

Comptroller
Finance Department
FLSA Exempt
Level 9: Non-Union Salary Schedule ($97,761-131,382)

JOB SUMMARY:
As an integral leader in the Financial Department, the Comptroller manages and oversees the operations of the Accounting Department, which encompasses payroll, accounts payable, procurement, and grant management. The Comptroller is responsible for financial risk management and compliance, financial reporting, and analysis, and processing the municipal budget. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: 
Serves under the broad supervision of the Finance Director who outlines policy, assigns areas of responsibility, and evaluates performance.  Performs regular duties independently, within applicable State and local laws, policies, and procedures. 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Manage all staff in the Accounting Department, outlining policy, assigning areas of responsibility, and evaluating performance. 

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Manages and oversees the operations of the Accounting Department, including the areas of payroll, accounts payable, procurement, and grant management; Responsible for managing municipal accounting and auditing functions in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, finance related by-laws, and with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to governmental entities. 

• Responsible for the maintenance of all official accounting records; Maintains a complete set of books and accounts for Town and Elementary Schools, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws and the Uniform Municipal Accounting System (UMAS); Monitors revenues and expenditures to ensure budgetary control. 

• Assists the Finance Director with the budget process and the development and management of operating and capital budgets; Processes annual municipal budget. 

• Responsible for the maintenance of forecasting and processing models; Develops and manages cost and pricing models for specific services as needed. 

• Prepares and submits a variety of mandated and specialized reports; Reports to federal and state agencies, as required, including preparing the annual financial report; Prepares a wide range of finance-related information used in all aspects of the Town’s financial operations; Analyzes financial information and provides monthly/quarterly reports based on information processed in accounting records or drawn from other sources; Provides departments and other Town officials with periodic budget status reports. 

• Responsible for all aspects of preparing for the annual independent audit, including facilitating information between auditors and departments; Conducts internal audits of Town departments to ensure accurate reporting of revenues, expenditures, and other financial matters. 

• Responsible for Risk Management, including procuring and maintaining the Town and Elementary School Property and Casualty insurances (g., periodic bidding to ensure competitive pricing and accurate coverage). 

• Reviews and certifies all Town contracts as to appropriation; Responsible for the custody of all Town financial and procurement contracts. 

• Acts as a liaison to Town boards and committees as needed, providing support and recommendations consistent with Federal, State and local laws, regulations, and policies; Serves as liaison to the Community Preservation Act Committee, assisting in the development of their annual capital budget, and completing and submitting mandated reports to the state; Makes presentations and represents the Department in public forums. 

• Responsible for auditing and ensuring integrity of all aspects of the financial databases contained within the Munis system; Leads teams in policy and procedure creation relating to the Munis financial and procurement systems; Delegates responsibilities, adjusts permissions, identifies training needs, and trains department heads and staff to use the Munis system in ways that ensure operational integrity and proper separation of duties. 

• Manages staff in the areas of payroll, accounts payable, procurement, and grant management; Plans and organizes staff assignments and workloads; Trains, coaches, and evaluates department staff. 

• Prepares annual Accounting Department budget. 

• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience in accounting, finance, business, or related field, including five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience. Or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field, with two (2) years of managerial responsibility; OR any equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the responsibilities of the position.  

• MCPPO (Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official) certification, or ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of hire
• Governmental Accountant certification (through the Massachusetts Municipal Auditors and Accountants Association certification), or ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of hire
• Experience with automated financial systems
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and appropriate accounting procedures
• Ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public
• Skill in the operation of the listed tools and equipment 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in municipal finance
• Thorough knowledge of Uniform Municipal Accounting System (UMAS), Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and federal and state laws, as they relate to municipal accounting and reporting requirements 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
General office equipment including computers, printer/scanner/fax/copier equipment, adding machine/calculator, and a wide variety of software programs relating to areas of responsibility. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. 

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

 The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The Town enjoys a long tradition of active, participatory, & professional government, and seeks a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community.