Assistant Director of Finance (City Controller)

Position Description:

Come join our team of professionals at the growing City of Van Alstyne, Texas! We are seeking highly motivated leaders to join our high performing team of servant leaders. The City is located north of Dallas in the booming Highway 75 corridor between McKinney and Sherman, Texas.

The Assistant Finance Director plays a critical leadership role in advancing best practices in governmental accounting, strengthening internal controls, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service and continuous improvement consistent with the City’s organizational values.

The Assistant Finance Director serves as the primary day-to-day accounting lead for the department, supports monthly and annual close activities, assists with audit preparation and financial reporting, administers financial systems and process improvements and provides oversight of the Utility Billing function. This position performs hands-on professional-level accounting work while also supervising staff and coordinating daily workflow across multiple finance functions in a small municipal finance environment.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

Essential Functions:

Accounting and Financial Operations

· Serves as the primary day-to-day accounting lead for the Finance Department. Performs and oversees accounting functions including journal entries, reconciliations, account analysis, and general ledger maintenance.

· Coordinates and supports monthly and year-end close processes; reviews trial balances and identifies unusual or complex transactions; completes financial forecasts.

· Reviews accounts payable and receivable transactions, and cash deposits for accuracy, proper coding, and compliance with policies and procedures.

· Assists in maintaining effective internal controls and recommends improvements to accounting processes and procedures.

· Supports banking, treasury, and cash management functions, including reconciliations, PFIA reporting, and coordination with financial institutions.

· Completes bi-weekly payroll processing, quarterly reporting, and annual W-2 reporting.

· Manages grant submissions and accounting/reporting of grants.

· Responds to requests for financial information from City staff, management, auditors, and the public.

Utility Billing Oversight and Customer Accounts

· Supports Utility Billing Supervisor and ensures compliance with cash handling procedures, internal controls, and applicable laws, regulations, and City policies.

· Reviews and assists with resolution of customer billing issues and escalations; coordinates with the Director of Finance on sensitive or high-risk matters.

· Coordinates implementation, upgrades, and ongoing administration of the City’s utility billing system in collaboration with the Director of Finance, IT, and external vendors.

· Ensures utility billing processes align with applicable provisions of the Texas Local Government Code, Texas Administrative Code, Water Code, and City ordinances.

Financial Reporting, Audit, and Compliance

· Assists in the preparation of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and other required financial reports.

· Prepares audit schedules, workpapers, and supporting documentation; serves as a primary point of contact for external auditors on assigned areas.

· Supports compliance with applicable accounting standards, including GAAP and GASB requirements.

Systems, Processes, and Training

· Serves as a lead administrator for the City’s financial systems, including Tyler ERP Pro 10 (Incode), ensuring appropriate configuration, security, and workflow.

· Participates in system upgrades, implementations, and process improvement initiatives related to finance, accounting, payroll, and utility billing.

· Assists with developing and delivering training to City departments on financial procedures, cash handling, accounting controls, and best practices.

Supervision and Leadership

· Provides day-to-day supervision of assigned Finance Department staff, which may include accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and utility billing personnel.

· Assigns work, monitors workload, and ensures timely completion of tasks.

· Provides coaching, guidance, and performance feedback to assigned staff; assists with onboarding and training.

· Works collaboratively with the Director of Finance to maintain continuity of operations and coverage during absences or peak workload periods.

Budget Support

· Assists the Director of Finance with budget development, financial analysis, and monitoring of expenditures.

· Prepares supporting schedules, forecasts, and financial analyses related to the annual budget and budget amendments.

Perform other related duties as required to balance workload and support the department.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field from an accredited institution is required. Master’s degree preferred.

Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, public finance, or a closely related field is required. Experience working with an ERP or financial accounting system (Tyler ERP Pro 10 is preferred) and strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial systems is required. Supervisory experience in coordinating work, mentoring staff, or serving in a senior or lead accounting role is preferred.

CPA, CPFO, or CGFO preferred but not required.

Skill Requirements

· Strategic and critical thinking

· Interpersonal relations and leadership

· Organization, planning, and time management

· Clear and effective communication

Other Requirements

· Valid Texas driver's license.

· Must pass pre-employment screening.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee's supervisor or Employee Services. This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing and speaking. Occasionally requires walking, stooping, and kneeling. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must possess adequate visual acuity and hearing ability sufficient to read, write, hear, and speak clearly in person and by telephone.

General Information:

Reports to the Director of Finance.

The Assistant Director of Finance (City Controller) is a full-time FLSA exempt position.

Starting salary is $95,000 – $120,000 annually, DOQ.

TMRS Retirement. 7% employee contribution with a 2 to 1 employer match. Vested after five years of service. TMRS provides 1x your annual salary in life insurance benefit. Employees are retirement eligible upon vesting and at least age 60 or with 20 years of service credit at any age as well as restricted prior service credit.

12 paid holidays.

100% of employee health, dental, vision, life, telehealth, short/long term disability benefits paid.

For more information regarding all the benefits offered by the City of Van Alstyne please review our Summary of Benefits.

Candidates MUST successfully complete an extensive background check (including credit/criminal history), drug screening and pre-employment physical. All candidates MUST SUBMIT CITY APPLICATION and resume to be considered to: City of Van Alstyne, Attn: Human Resources, 152 N Main Drive, P.O. Box 247, Van Alstyne, Texas 75495-0247.

Pay: $60,818.83 - $73,244.18 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person