Government Finance Specialist
Company: Vermont League Of Cities and Towns
Location: Montpelier
Posted on: April 23, 2024
Job Description:
The Vermont League of Cities and Towns, a non-profit,
non-partisan membership organization that exists to serve and
strengthen local government, seeks an experienced municipal finance
practitioner to help teach Vermont's cities, towns and villages how
to be more resilient by following the best practices of municipal
finance management. The ideal candidate will enjoy working directly
with municipal treasurers, legislative body members, managers,
administrators, and finance staff to teach and mentor them.
Some of the projects you'll immediately start working on include
developing an introductory level municipal finance education
curriculum and delivering that curriculum to municipal officials.
VLCT anticipates receiving funding aimed at building capacity in
municipalities by strengthening municipal finance, operations and
management capabilities to ensure more municipalities have the
ability to respond to future disasters.
The ideal candidate will have a degree in accounting, business or
public administration and eight to ten years of financial
management, including three to five years' experience with
municipal governmental accounting.
VLCT offers a competitive salary (anticipated range is $75,000 -
$90,000 depending on experience) and an extensive benefit package,
which includes participation in the VMERS retirement system, a
401(a), employer paid health insurance and dental premiums,
generous vacation, sick and holiday time, flexible work schedules
and remote work opportunities (within Vermont).
Application deadline is Friday, May 3. Applicants will be reviewed
as they are received. Position is open until filled. EOE
Nature and Scope of Position
This is a professional position that provides municipal finance
assistance, education, and training to local government officials
through VLCT's Finance, Operations and Management Assistance
Program.
The Government Finance Specialist assists local officials (elected,
appointed and staff) with the discharge of their official duties,
primarily in the areas of budget, finance, taxation, and compliance
with federal and state grant requirements. This position will
provide general municipal finance assistance including responding
to member inquiries, drafting and reviewing guidance documents and
policy templates, developing and delivering an introductory level
municipal finance education curriculum, creating and delivering
timely and relevant trainings outside of the curriculum to build
financial fluency, and writing content for VLCT News, Journal and
other publications on timely municipal finance recommendations and
updates.
In addition to core municipal finance assistance responsibilities,
this position will work collaboratively and cooperatively with
other core teams including VLCT's Municipal Assistance Center legal
team and Intergovernmental Relations team to provide opinions on
legislative policy areas affecting government finance.
The position reports to the Director of the Finance, Operations and
Management Assistance Program.
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Government Finance
Specialist include but are not limited to:
- Develop and implement an introductory level municipal finance
education curriculum designed to build basic knowledge as well as
advance knowledge to assist local officials (elected, appointed and
staff) with the discharge of their official duties, primarily in
the areas of budget, finance, taxation, and compliance with federal
and state grant requirements.
- Develop and deliver trainings on a variety of timely and
relevant financial management topics including but not limited to
cash management, budgeting, payroll management, basic governmental
accounting, grant management, treasurers' responsibilities,
internal control systems, state and federal auditing requirements
and best practices, fiscal years and any other financial
issues.
- Respond to questions regarding financial matters from officials
of member municipalities and log them into tracking
databases.
- Develop model documents and templates to assist members with
finance related topics.
- Collaborate with Vermont Emergency Management to develop
ready-to-use tools that help municipalities financially manage
projects related to Federal Emergency Management Agency Public
Assistance eligible work.
- Create, review and update model financial policies and guidance
to comply with current Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform
Guidance), as well as nationally recognized professional standards
and best practices. Consult with MAC attorneys to determine
applicability of Vermont law.
- Develop content and resource documents for VLCT's website and
print publications on relevant municipal finance topics.
- Participate in external seminars, workshops, and training
programs as a speaker, upon request, with the approval of the
Director.
- Communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with other VLCT staff
on education, training, publications and inquiries as
needed.
- Stay apprised of authoritative accounting principles, auditing
standards, statutory budget procedures and case law affecting
municipal finance generally and VT local government finance
specifically.
- Partner with the Intergovernmental Relations and MAC teams to
identify opportunities in Vermont law for improvements,
clarifications and/or new legislation on the topic of municipal
finance to benefit VLCT's members.
- Provide professional development to VLCT staff relative to
developments in municipal finances, as appropriate.
- Develop and maintain relationships with municipal government
finance organizations, including but not limited to the Vermont
Government Finance Officers Association and the Vermont Municipal
Clerks' and Treasurers' Association and Vermont Town and City
Management Association,
- Any other duties as determined by the Director, Finance,
Operations and Management Assistance Program.
- Knowledge of:
- Governmental accounting and the current principles and
practices of public finance, budgeting, and accounting such as GAAP
and GASB
- Principles and practices of public administration.
- Special requirements pertaining to accounting for and
investment of governmental funds.
- Governmental auditing procedures.
- Relevant federal and state laws, town ordinances, and policies
and procedures.
- Federal and state grant awards as they relate to government
finance.
- Ability and/or expertise to:
- Read, interpret, and analyze spreadsheets, statistical reports,
and financial statements.
- Communicate clearly, effectively, and directly, both orally and
in writing.
- Solve problems employing critical, analytical, strategic
thinking.
- Speak publicly both virtually and in person.
- Self-motivate and self-direct work.
- Work both independently and collaboratively as part of a
team.
- Effectively and efficiently manage time and resources.
- Possess a strong desire to optimize efficiency in processes and
practices.
- Deliver excellent customer service.
- Embrace VLCT's mission and uphold this mission with its
membership.
- Possession and maintenance of a valid driver's license in good
standing.
Education, Training and Experience Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, business or public
administration or comparable area required; master's degree in
accounting or CPA not required but is preferred.
- Eight to ten years of financial management required, of which
three to five years must be in governmental accounting; experience
working for a Vermont municipality is preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with expert level skills
in Excel.
- Knowledge of and experience in using New England Municipal
Resource Center software preferred, but not required.
PI7c1fde963dc2-31181-34274903
Keywords: Vermont League Of Cities and Towns, New England , Government Finance Specialist, Accounting, Auditing , Montpelier, Northeast
Didn't find what you're looking for? Search again!
Loading more jobs...