Finance Director

Finance Director 

Finance Director Salary:
 $139,144 - $169,130/year* 
 
Effective July 1, 2027, 4% salary increase on base rate of pay

Lead the finances of a small city where your work is visible.

The City of Winters, a council-manager city of about 8,000 residents in Yolo County, is seeking an experienced, collaborative finance leader to serve as Finance Director. Reporting to the City Manager, you will be the City's chief financial officer and Treasurer, with a direct hand in every major decision the City makes. In a city this size, you will see the results of your work in the community.

What you will do

• Supervise the City’s finance and treasury functions in a hands on environment
• Guide the City's budget, long-range financial planning, and fiscal policies, and advise the City Council with clear, trusted analysis.
• Lead water and sewer rate-setting and the financing of major capital and regulatory-compliance projects.
• Lead and develop a capable Finance team, and modernize the systems and practices behind the City's financial reporting.

What you bring

• Five years of progressively responsible governmental finance experience, including at least two in a supervisory role, and a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. California local government experience, a master's degree, or a CPA, CPFO, or CCMT is a plus.
• The ability to explain complex financial information plainly to elected officials and residents.
• A hands-on, collaborative style and a commitment to public service.

The City of Winters offers a comprehensive benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision: Coverage options for employees and eligible dependents, with a City contribution toward eligible benefits.
• Medical Opt-Out Benefit: Cash-in-lieu option for eligible employees who waive City medical coverage and provide proof of qualifying alternate coverage.
• CalPERS Retirement: Participation in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, with benefits determined by membership status and applicable retirement tier.
• Deferred Compensation: Access to City-approved retirement savings plan.
• Health Reimbursement Account: Participation in CALGOVEBA, an individual health reimbursement account funded through required employee contributions.
• City-Paid Life Insurance: Life insurance coverage provided by the City.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick leave, administrative leave, paid holidays, and floating holidays.
• Recognition of Prior Experience: Qualifying prior executive management experience may count toward vacation accrual and longevity incentive eligibility.
• Wellness Leave: Eligible employees receive leave for an annual comprehensive physical examination, with reimbursement available for qualifying examination copayments.
• Longevity Incentive: Longevity 1/2 of monthly base wage after 5 years of service.
• Education and Certification Incentives: Additional compensation for qualifying postgraduate degrees and executive certifications approved as relevant to the position.
• Leave Cash-Out Opportunities: Vacation and administrative leave cash-out options, subject to approval and applicable requirements.
• Alternating Fridays off: City Hall is a 9/80 work schedule and closed every other Friday.

 

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as the City's chief financial officer and principal financial advisor to the City Manager and City Council; provide clear, timely analysis of the fiscal impact of proposed policies, projects, programs, and labor agreements.
• Develop and maintain the City's long-range financial plan, including multi-year forecasts of revenues, expenditures, and fund balances; recommend adjustments in response to economic conditions and legislative changes.
• Participate as a member of the executive management team in setting City priorities; translate City Council goals into financial strategies and resource plans.
• Provide costing proposals and fiscal impact analysis related to labor relations matters and participate in negotiations with collective bargaining groups as directed by the City Manager.

Budget and Financial Planning

• Direct the preparation of the annual operating and capital budget, including revenue and expenditure projections, the budget calendar, coordination with departments, and presentation to the City Council.
• Monitor and report on budget performance throughout the year, including mid-year reviews and budget amendments; ensure the budget aligns with the Capital Improvement Program.
• Formulate, justify, and administer the Finance Department budget.

Accounting, Financial Reporting, and Audit

• Direct the City's general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed asset, and cashiering functions in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements, and applicable law.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close; prepare or direct the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), State Controller reports, and other financial statements and regulatory filings.
• Coordinate the annual independent audit, including selection of the audit firm, and ensure timely completion and resolution of audit findings.
• Establish and maintain internal controls, cash handling procedures, and segregation of duties to safeguard City assets.

Treasury, Investments, and Debt

• Serve as City Treasurer; manage cash flow and the investment of City funds consistent with the California Government Code, the City's investment policy, and City Council direction; report investment activity to the City Council.
• Work with financial advisors, bond counsel, and underwriters to evaluate, structure, and issue debt; ensure compliance with debt covenants and continuing disclosure requirements.

Revenue, Utilities, and Enterprise Funds

• Oversee revenue collection programs, including business licensing, utility billing, and other tax and fee collection; monitor and forecast major revenue sources such as property tax, sales tax, and transient occupancy tax.
• Direct the financial management of the water, sewer, and other enterprise funds, including cost-of-service and rate studies, and the Proposition 218 notice and protest process.
• Oversee development impact fee and user fee studies to ensure fees reflect the cost of service and comply with State law.

Grants and Capital Finance

• Oversee grant financial administration, including cost allocation, reimbursement requests, required reporting, and compliance with federal and State requirements.
• Develop funding and financing strategies for capital projects; support departments in identifying and securing outside funding.

Systems, Policies, and Process Improvement

• Oversee the City's financial and payroll systems in coordination with vendors and the City's technology providers; lead system upgrades and process improvements that strengthen efficiency, reporting, and transparency.
• Develop, update, and administer fiscal policies and procedures, including investment, reserve, purchasing, and capital asset policies.

Leadership and Public Service

• Plan, organize, assign, and review the work of Finance Department staff; select, train, coach, and evaluate employees; recommend disciplinary action; foster a collaborative, high-performing team and support staff professional development.
• Present financial information, reports, and recommendations in clear, plain language to the City Council, commissions, community groups, and the public; respond to questions and resolve concerns regarding City fiscal affairs.
• Represent the City with auditors, financial institutions, rating agencies, CalPERS, State and County agencies, and professional organizations.
• Remain current on changes in laws, regulations, accounting standards, and best practices in municipal finance; recommend and implement changes as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of municipal finance administration, budgeting, accounting, and auditing, including GAAP and GASB standards
• California local government finance, including Propositions 13, 218, and 26, the Mitigation Fee Act, and State Controller reporting requirements
• Public funds investment and treasury management, including applicable provisions of the California Government Code
• Municipal debt and financing instruments, and continuing disclosure requirements
• Enterprise fund accounting and utility rate-setting principles
• Grant administration and federal and State compliance requirements
• Internal control, fraud prevention, and risk management principles
• Operations of council-manager local government, including the legislative and budget process, the Ralph M. Brown Act, and the California Public Records Act
• Financial management and payroll software systems, spreadsheet analysis, and data presentation tools
• Principles of supervision, training, team building, and performance evaluation
• Pertinent federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the City's financial operations and complete financial records
• Develop and analyze long-range financial forecasts and project the fiscal impact of proposed actions
• Analyze complex financial issues, identify alternatives, project consequences, and recommend sound solutions
• Present complex financial information clearly and persuasively to elected officials, staff, and the public, including those without a financial background
• Prepare clear, accurate financial and statistical reports, staff reports, and budgets
• Lead, coach, and develop staff; delegate authority and responsibility; build a collaborative, accountable team
• Interpret and apply federal, State, and local laws, regulations, policies, and accounting standards
• Evaluate, select, and implement technology and process improvements
• Exercise sound judgment, integrity, and discretion; maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines, balancing strategic and hands-on work in a small organization
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the City Council, City Manager, employees, auditors, consultants, other agencies, and the public
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major work in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field. A Master's degree is desirable.
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in governmental accounting, budgeting, or finance, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• Experience in California local government finance, including budget development, ACFR preparation, and enterprise fund or utility rate-setting, is highly desirable.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATE

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C driver's license upon hire, or the ability to arrange alternate transportation for off-site meetings.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), or Certified California Municipal Treasurer (CCMT), desired.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting, use standard office equipment, and move between various office locations.
• Must be able to lift and carry office materials weighing up to 10 pounds; vision to read printed materials and on the computer; ability to hear and communicate verbally in person and over the telephone.
• Must be able to climb one flight of stairs regularly, to and from the office.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a typical indoor office setting with occasional off-site meetings.
• Employees regularly interact with elected officials, executives, employees, auditors, and members of the public, and may interact with upset individuals on fiscal matters.
• Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required, including attendance at City Council meetings and budget workshops. Workload is heaviest during budget preparation, year-end close, and the annual audit.

Recruitment Process: This position is open until filled. The recruitment is anticipated to remain open for approximately one month; however, applications will be reviewed as received, and the City reserves the right to close the recruitment earlier once a qualified candidate is selected. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply promptly.

Application Requirements: To be considered for this recruitment, applicants must submit a complete application, including all required information and supporting documentation by the applicable review date. Applications that are incomplete or do not include the required documentation may not be considered for further review.

Reasonable Accommodation: If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation during any part of the recruitment or selection process, please notify Human Resources at least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled event.

The City of Winters is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment & Housing Act (FEHA), if accommodations are necessary in order to perform the essential functions of the position, or to participate in any portion of the selection process, please contact Human Resources at 530-794-6703 within three (3) calendar days of the final filing date for the recruitment.