Finance Director (47542)

Finance Director

City of Covington, KY

Finance Department

Location: City Hall

Full-time

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm.

Salary Range: $120,000 - $140,000

Role Overview

The Finance Director serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the City of Covington and is a vital part of the leadership team. Reporting directly to the City Manager, the Finance Director will oversee the City's financial management, including accounting, budgeting, debt management, revenue collection, and fiscal activities. You will ensure that the City adheres to all Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), while also managing long-term financial planning and analysis to support Covington's goals.

This is a leadership role that requires the ability to manage a team, engage with the City Commission, and ensure the integrity and effectiveness of financial controls. A successful Finance Director will be a strategic thinker, skilled in municipal finance, and capable of working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Oversight: Oversee accounting, budgeting, procurement, debt management, revenue collection, and fiscal activities.
• Leadership: Oversees the Controller, Treasurer, Budget Director, and Procurement Officer, who manage procurement, payroll, billing, accounts receivable/payable, cash flow, and accounting procedures, while ensuring internal controls are maintained.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to GASB standards, produce the annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR), and manage capital improvement planning.
• Risk Management: Oversee internal controls and financial reporting to state and federal agencies.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the City's annual budget process and long-term financial projections, ensuring that expenditures align with the City's financial goals.
• Municipal Debt Administration: Manage the City's debt and arrange for financing as needed, including bond sales.
• Employee Benefits: Direct the management of employee benefit programs and maintain records for pension funds.
• Audit & Reporting: Cooperate with external auditors for annual audits and prepare regular financial updates for the City Manager and Commission.
• Continuous Improvement: Promote a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and professional development within the Finance Department.
• Other duties as assigned.

Performance Standards

• Employees at all levels are expected to work effectively together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City's values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Finance department staff all report up to this position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), cost accounting, and fund accounting.
• Extensive knowledge of local government operations, legal requirements, and financial records management.
• Familiarity with the issuance and administration of municipal bonds.

Skills:

• Seasoned project management and collaboration skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Deep skills in statistical and budgetary analysis.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and consultative skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and take ownership of work.
• Ability to lead staff in continuous efforts to improve quality, productivity, and effectiveness.
• Ability to prepare and implement short- and long-range strategic plans, considering budgetary, organizational, and public impact.
• Ability to communicate effectively, presenting complex financial data in multiple forms, including charts, graphs, narratives, and presentations to senior management and the public.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive financial information with discretion.
• Must be detail-oriented, a self-starter, and committed to excellence.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or a related field is required. A master's degree is preferred but not required.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in municipal finance, accounting, or public administration.
• Knowledge of GASB, GAAP, and municipal bond issuance.
• Proven leadership experience in budgeting, fiscal management, and compliance.

Certifications

• License as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is preferred but not required.
• A valid driver's license is required.

Language, Math, and Reasoning Skills

• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret financial reports and legal documents. Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting financial information effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Mathematical Skills: Proficiency in performing mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and interpreting financial data using percentages, ratios, and other mathematical calculations.
• Reasoning Ability: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to define issues, gather data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

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 regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically in an office setting but is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Travel

• Travel is minimal (estimated ~5%) and consists mostly of local travel to clients and stakeholders with potential overnight travel for conferences in and out of state.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Evening, weekend and work hour adjustments may be required as job duties demand.

Why Join Us?

• Full Benefits Package: Health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and 12 paid holidays.
• Meaningful Impact: Your work will directly contribute to the success of Covington's services and the satisfaction of its employees.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a dedicated and supportive team in a culture that values communication, respect, and continuous improvement.

EEO Statement

The City of Covington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the rich variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences in our community. We encourage individuals from all walks of life to apply and proudly provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants, regardless of race, color, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.