Assistant Director of Finance

Assistant Director of Finance

Salary

$102,872.00 - $161,815.00 Annually

Location

City Hall, 442 W. Washington Street, Suffolk, VA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

04634

Department

FINANCE ADMINISTRATION

Opening Date

10/05/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The City of Suffolk seeks a highly motivated and experienced financial professional, driven by integrity, excellence and professionalism with a successful background in local government accounting to serve as the next Assistant Director of Finance.

Under limited supervision, the Assistant Director assists the Director of Finance in directing the City's financial operations, with primary responsibility for the finance division's performance of governmental accounting, general ledger integrity, year-end closing activities, audit preparation and coordination, debt management and compliance, internal control, and development of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

The position supervises and reviews complex accounting activities, ensures financial transactions are properly recorded and supported, strengthens internal controls, and coordinates the work necessary to produce accurate and timely financial statements. The position also provides oversight and support for debt management, financial analysis, and other Citywide financial initiatives.

The Assistant Director of Finance is responsible for the Finance Division and is part of a three division management team and supervises the finance division's 13 member staff with four direct reports (grants manager, payroll manager, controller and financial reporting manager). The position is the senior member of the management team under the Director of Finance and may provide limited oversight of budget or procurement activities when assigned or in the Director's absence but is not responsible for the day-to-day management of the City's budget or procurement functions. The Assistant Director acts on behalf of the Director when assigned or in the Director's absence and reports directly to the Director of Finance.

The ideal candidate will embody the guiding principles of the department and possess strong ethics, significant municipal accounting experience, excellent analytical and leadership skills and the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to all levels of the organization. The position may present financial information to City Council or the public as directed.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Essential Job Functions

• Directs and reviews the City's accounting activities including general ledger maintenance, journal entries, account reconciliations, receivables, payables, payroll, capital assets, debt, leases, grants, accruals, financial schedules and supporting documentation prepared by staff. Ensures routine and complex transactions are properly recorded in the appropriate funds and accounts and that balances are accurate, adequately supported and reconciled timely. Identifies discrepancies, determines appropriate corrections, and ensures issues are resolved timely.
• Leads and coordinates preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report; including the year-end closing process, financial statements, note disclosures, supporting schedules, statistical information, and other required reporting. Ensures the ACFR is accurate, complete, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable governmental accounting standards, and completed within established deadlines.
• Serves as the primary Finance Department coordinator for the City's annual external financial audit and other assigned financial, compliance, and regulatory audits. Coordinates audit requests and departmental responses, reviews supporting documentation, resolves accounting issues, monitors audit progress, and assists with developing and implementing corrective actions.
• Supervises assigned employees; including assigning and reviewing work, establishing performance standards, identifying training needs, evaluating performance, addressing employee concerns, and recommending or initiating appropriate personnel actions.
• Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors the status and quality of work performed; assists staff with complex or unusual situations; and provides technical accounting guidance.
• Ensures departmental compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accounting standards, policies, and procedures and initiates appropriate action to correct identified deficiencies or violations.
• Collaborates with the Director of Finance on the development and revision of departmental and Citywide financial policies, procedures, internal controls, methods of operation, and organizational practices to improve accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Oversees the implementation and maintenance of financial policies and internal controls and provides technical assistance to Finance staff and other City departments regarding accounting procedures, financial records, documentation requirements, and accountability.
• Performs or oversees financial compliance reviews and other internal reviews as assigned. Identifies control weaknesses, accounting deficiencies, or areas of financial risk and recommends corrective action.
• Manages the development and administration of the Finance Department's operating budget and monitors departmental expenditures.
• Provides oversight and support for debt issuance and management activities. Reviews financial schedules and documents related to debt transactions and assists with preliminary official statements and other legal, technical, or financial documents as needed.
• Researches, analyzes, reviews, and prepares financial reports, schedules, account analyses, agenda items, correspondence, and other documents. Performs special financial, analytical, budgetary, accounting, or purchasing projects as assigned.
• Consults with the Director of Finance regarding financial operations, complex accounting matters, departmental priorities, operational issues, and recommendations for improvement.
• Attends meetings, serves on committees, represents the Finance Department, and makes presentations as assigned.
• Reviews and approves employee time records, leave requests, invoices, and other administrative documents within assigned authority.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable laws, accounting standards, professional practices, and emerging issues affecting municipal financial operations. Participates in relevant professional organizations, workshops, and training.
• Performs the duties of the Director of Finance in the Director's absence or as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or closely related field; supplemented by 6 years previous experience and/or training that includes progressively responsible governmental accounting, financial management, general accounting, financial analysis, budget development, financial reporting, accounting controls, public procurement, supervision, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Valid Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification preferred. Possession and maintenance of valid Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) certification preferred.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the City and of departmental practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Assistant Finance Director.
• Knowledge of the practices, procedures, methods, and generally accepted standards pertaining to governmental accounting, financial management, budgeting, and procurement.
• Knowledge of general laws, administrative guidelines, generally accepted accounting principles, governmental accounting standards, and other guidelines governing municipal financial operations and activities.
• Knowledge of methods to monitor current legislative issues, to identify legislation which may impact City financial operations, and to communicate relevant information to appropriate City personnel to ensure compliance with legislative changes.
• Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department.
• Knowledge and proficiency of computers.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
• Ability to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations, equipment needs, policies, etc., as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.
• Ability to perform various quantitative analyses in areas of policy analysis, program evaluation, financial analysis, financial forecasting, cost benefit analysis, or related areas.
• Ability to develop a detailed plan of approach for solution of issues based on direction/guidance from director or other department directors.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, supervisors, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.
• Ability to prepare complex financial reports, account analyses, and financial documentation.
• Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Ability to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision as situations warrant.
• Ability to use mathematical formulas to handle required calculations using percentages and decimals.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret financial, technical, and computer reports and related materials.
• Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria, includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
• Ability to function in a managerial capacity for a division or organizational unit. Includes the ability to make decisions on procedural and technical levels.
• Ability to read a variety of financial and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.
• Ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.
• Ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
• Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations involving basic algebraic principles and formulas, and basic geometric principles and calculations.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with job related equipment.

Seasonal Employees- No Benefits

Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)

Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;

Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members

Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.

Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Yearly earnings

120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)

Sick Leave

Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.

Personal Leave

All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.

Health Insurance

Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.

Supplemental Insurances

Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.

Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability

Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.

Life Insurance

The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.

Optional Life Insurance

Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.

Funeral Leave

24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.

Holidays

Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Jury Duty

Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.

457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA

Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.

Employee Assistance Program

Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.

Workers Compensation

Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmens Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.

Pay Days

Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.

Credit Union

A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.

Legal Services

Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.

Notary Public Services

Services available in the Human Resources Department.

Alternative Work Schedule

For some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.

01

Do you have a Bachelors degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Which of the following reflects your highest level of education ?

• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• No Degree
• Some college
• High school diploma or GED

03

Which of the following best represents your years of progressively responsible governmental accounting, financial management, general accounting, financial analysis, budget development, or financial reporting experience?

• Less than 5 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 6 - 7 years
• 7 - 8 years
• 8 - 9 years
• 9 - 10 years
• More than 10 years

04

Which of the following best represents your years of progressive managerial accounting experience in a governmental setting?

• Less than 3 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 5 - 7 years
• 7 - 9 years
• 9 - 10 YEARS
• More than 10 years

05

Which of the following best describes your supervisory experience?

• None
• Less than a year
• 1 - 2 years
• 2 - 3 years
• More than 3 years

06

Which of the following represents your current Certified Public Accountant (CPA) status?

• Current CPA certification
• Candidate for CPA certification
• No CPA certification
• Previous CPA certification

07

Please list any certifications/designations you have achieved:

Required Question

Employer City of Suffolk

Address 442 W. Washington Street, Suite 1044

Suffolk, Virginia, 23434

Phone 7575144110

Website http://www.suffolkva.us