Date:  January, 2007

Town of Bethel

Title:                            Comptroller

Department:               Finance Department

Position Goal:            

To plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the Finance Department including budgeting, purchasing, accounting, financial and information system programs; to coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Board of Selectmen/Board of Finance.  Serves as Assistant Town Treasurer.   Directs and controls operations and activities of the Tax Collector and Data Processing services. 

Primary Functions:

Install, maintain and supervise the general accounting system for all departments, offices, boards, committees, commissions and agencies.

Prescribe the form of accounts to be kept by each department, office, board, committee, commission and agency of the Town.

Keep separate accounts for the appropriations contained in the budget and encumber immediately with the amount of each purchase order, payroll, or contract and maintain for each account a record of the amounts paid and remaining unpaid, all encumbrances and the unencumbered balance.

Audit, before payment, all bills, invoices, payrolls and other evidence of claims, demands or charges against the Town.

Compile and submit to the Board of Selectmen estimates for the budget and capital program.  Assist in the preparation of the annual budget document.  Recommend to Board of Selectmen changes in department programs and departmental estimates of revenue and expenditures.

Submit monthly, to the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance, financial statements providing the amount of each appropriation, transfers, encumbrances and expenditures within the Town budget.  Submit other fiscal data as may be prescribed by the Board of Selectmen and/or the Board of Finance, as well as periodic financial statements and reports of the Town.

The First Selectman and the Comptroller, acting in conjunction, shall be the general purchasing authority of the Town.  Serve on the Procurement Committee, reviewing bids and submitting recommendations to the Board of Selectmen

Shall be available to the Board of Education for advice and consultation as to the Board’s system and manner of fiscal accounting and shall perform periodic internal reviews.

Shall direct and control the operations and activities of the Tax Collector and Data Processing services of the Town, in accordance with the Town Charter and other Ordinances.

Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate staff, the Finance Department’s work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.

Forecasts, estimates and monitors the financial activities of the Town and assures the solvency of the Town’s finances to meet existing bonded debt service, general obligation bonds, and revenue bonds.

In addition to overseeing the posting and reconciliation of ledgers and accounts; directs the preparation of State and Federal tax and other related reports.

Provides short- and long-range investment and borrowing strategy with the Town Treasurer.  Confers with banking and investment personnel, as needed.

Additional Responsibilities:

Participates in labor negotiations.

Administers the Town’s Pension System; negotiates various insurances, including the Town’s LAP program, group insurances and benefits plans with insurance agents.

Provides advice and assistance to all Town departments and Agencies in sound financial management.

Shall establish and supervise inventories, wherever required.

Assigned additional duties and responsibilities, as determined by the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance.

Supervision Received:  Receives general direction from the First Selectman and policy direction from the Board of Finance.

Supervision Exercised: Direct supervision of Finance Administrator, with general supervision of financial staff.  Direct supervision of the purchasing agent; directs and controls operation of the Tax Collector’s Department and data processing services.

Qualifications Profile:  

A Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or related field is required, with either an MBA or MPA preferred.  Must have at least five years of professional governmental finance experience with two years in a supervisory role OR any equivalent combination of education, training or experience.

Knowledge of principles and practices of municipal finance, general accounting practices, intermediate and long-term financial forecasting, budgeting and reporting practices.

Knowledge of principles and practices of management as applied to supervision, training, performance evaluations, analysis and evaluation of programs, polices, and operational needs.

Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Knowledge of information systems, as applied to accounting and utility billing functions.

Ability to demonstrate management skills, including delegation, problem-solving, decision- making, leadership, human relations, and diplomacy skills.

Ability to prepare and direct the preparation of the Town’s budget and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.  Ability to prepare and administer complex budgets and allocate resources in a cost effective manner.

Ability to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel.

Ability to plan and coordinate projects involving several departments, maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with the Town organization.

Ability to develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives and procedures for providing effective financial and administrative operations.

Ability to identify and respond to Board of Selectmen/Board of Finance issues, concerns, and needs.  Understanding of Town’s political environment and sensitivities; ability to function effectively within that environment.

Considerable proficiency in using a computerized accounting/budgeting system.    Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word, or their functional equivalents is essential.  Familiarity with Microsoft Access or its functional equivalent is desirable.

Ability to prepare and direct preparation of comprehensive reports, budgets, departmental materials and correspondence.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials; other employees and the general public.

Ability to read, write, and speak the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment 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.

Work is performed mostly in office settings.  While performing the duties of this job, employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods, to walk, talk, hear; to use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate 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 the job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

The employee must be free from mental and/or physical disorders, which would interfere with the performance of duties, as described.  The employee must be able to interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress as well as the ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful and emergency situations.  An ability to adapt to varying work situations and establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others is also required.