Deputy Director of Finance | City of St. Charles

The City of St. Charles is seeking a finance professional for an exciting and challenging role as Deputy Director of Finance for the City’s Finance Department. This position will provide an opportunity to help lead and guide our outstanding Finance Department staff and play a pivotal role in fostering an effective and productive work environment while nurturing a positive and collaborative workplace culture.

The City of St. Charles is a full-service community with a population of 33,000 residents situated along the Fox River in the Chicago suburbs. The City contains a historic, thriving downtown with significant commercial, industrial and residential developments happening throughout the City. The City has maintained an Aa1 bond rating for many years along with an excellent tax base and sound financial operations. The City has received the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 38 consecutive years and in recent years began receiving the GFOA Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award. The City’s current total annual operating and capital budget is $226 million dollars and efforts are underway to achieve the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

The Finance Department is composed of two divisions, accounting/finance and utility billing. There are thirteen employees, and the Deputy Director reports to the Director. The Deputy Director is responsible for planning, coordinating and managing most of the daily operations for the Department across the two divisions.

The utility billing division is managed by the Utility Billing Division Manager, reporting to the Deputy Director. The division manages billing and collection of the City’s electric, water and sewer utilities and in 2024 implemented a new utility billing enterprise software solution. The utility billing division is staffed by four full-time and one-part-time employees.

The accounting division is managed by the Deputy Director, with five full-time accounting and finance employees. Operational functions include all accounting and routine financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivables and police and fire pension payroll and accounting. The division also manages incoming cash receipts and treasury functions.

 Key Responsibilities:

• This key leadership position manages and supports a diverse group, providing guidance and encouragement to help them succeed in their roles. The ability to connect with people, navigate challenges, and inspire growth will be essential to developing a cohesive and motivated team.
• Directly supervise six employees; assign and direct work, monitor productivity and conduct, establish performance standards, provide feedback and assess performance, and provide training and development.
• Directly supports the Director of Finance with setting goals and objectives for the department; coordination and management of treasury functions, including investment management, accounting for capital improvement projects, financial reporting and other complex accounting work; projects include assisting with preparation of the tax levies, coordinating all aspects of the annual audit and related financial reporting requirements, ensuring proper grant reporting and compliance, assisting debt management and compliance reporting, and providing assistance to the  Director with the coordination and preparation of the annual budget.
• Oversee the recording of daily financial accounting transactions, reconciliation of bank statements, and preparation of financial reports.
• Oversee and ensure the accuracy of transactions related to accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll records, and quarterly payroll returns, and filing of W-2’s and 1099’s.
• Oversee the balancing, capitalization, and accurate reporting of the City’s Capital Assets.
• Develop and implement new or improved accounting practices and procedures and ensure adherence to reporting requirements and standards including the implementation of current and new GASB pronouncements. 
• Assist with special projects and proactively work with other departments on a variety of issues.
• In the absence of the Director of Finance, this position may assume the duties and may on occasion present information or recommended actions to the City Council or Committees for consideration.

 Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Eight years of accounting experience, governmental accounting experience preferred with knowledge of generally accepted account principles (GAAP) and familiarity with governmental accounting standards board (GASB) standards and guidance.
• Five years of supervisory experience with proven experience managing and mentoring teams.
• Strong mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect with diverse individuals and build trusting relationships throughout the organization.
• Ability to foster engagement, solicit input from others and facilitate collaborative work processes.
• Ability to exercise professional independent judgment in planning own work, formulating recommendations, and making decisions.
• Skilled in MS Office applications MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., and ERP-related financial software applications.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range of $115,002 to $161,003 with starting pay commensurate with experience. Competitive package of benefits to include medical, dental, prescription, vision, wellness incentives, life insurance, retirement pension plan with Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, other retirement savings options, and much more!