Finance Director

The City of Oakdale (MN) is seeking a Finance Director to oversee city financial operations, including budgeting, payroll, and investment strategies. The role involves preparing financial reports, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, and developing fiscal policies. The position requires strong strategic and analytical skills to support city leadership and maintain long-term financial sustainability. This is an onsite role located in Oakdale, MN.
Oakdale is searching for a Finance Director to join our growing team and community in beautiful Washington County. Located conveniently near 694/94, we have been experiencing both new development and reinvestment and are expected to grow to a 35,000 population in the next several years. Oakdale is in a strong financial position with an Aa1 bond rating and the community recently approved a local option sales tax (LOST) to help fund expansion and renovation of city facilities. This position directs all aspects of city financial operations including investing, payroll, accounts payable/ receivable, utility billing, and budgeting/CIP/CEP preparation and implementation.

We are seeking a strategic and detailed professional to join our leadership team, support City leadership, and provide a strategic fiscal approach for long-term sustainability. Our Finance Department includes six other individuals committed to providing high-quality services, along with a total Oakdale staff of 140 FTEs. We believe that our employees are our greatest asset and thus we provide a comprehensive compensation package including competitive salary, a full benefit package including contributions to H.S.A. accounts, a generous PTO schedule, Executive Leave, cell phone and vehicle allowances.The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to the following:
• Work collaboratively with other staff to provide excellent and responsive public service
• Prepare, submit, and administer an annual budget, capital improvement plan, and tax levy; including the controls necessary to track budgetary compliance
• Proficient in budgeting process (working with City Administrator, Department Heads, and Elected Officials) and communicating tax levy impacts
• Responsible for the preparation of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); prepare and present periodic financial reports with recommendations; prepare and present financial status reports
• Thorough knowledge of Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and how to implement changes when new pronouncements are released
• Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Develop and update fiscal and accounting policies, practices, procedures and controls required to manage the City's financial matters
• Ability to accurately comprehend, interpret, analyze, and as importantly, clearly explain complex financial information to a variety of audiences
• Ensure the integrity of financial data through effective internal controls
• Develop and implement an overall investment strategy with supporting policies and procedures consistent with sound municipal finance practices and all applicable laws and regulations
• Ability to develop relationships with brokers to ensure they understand the City's investment goals. Ability to connect investments with cash flow requirements to maximize interest opportunity.
• Develop effective debt management policies, practices and procedures to ensure accurate cash flow projections, financing sources and cash uses relative to outstanding debt. Serves as the City lead in the issuance of debt and the creation of the Official Statements (OS).
• Knowledge of City projects and fiscal requirements to finance. Ability to work with consultants, appointed officials, and elected officials to issue debt when necessary.
• Ability to use technology and software to consolidate information from multiple departments.
• Ability to work with data and ensure accuracy.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to promote a positive and supportive work environment.
• Keep City Administrator promptly informed of all significant developments that she/he would need to know to effectively perform her/his position as Chief Administrative Officer.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work plan for professional accounting staff; assign work activities, projects, and programs; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Represent the city in a courteous, responsive, and professional manner in all interactions.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Perform other duties as assigned
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the formal education, experience and training required.

Education
• Bachelor’s in accounting/finance

Experience
• Five to seven (5-7) years of experience in local government accounting/finance

Trainings, Certificates, and Licenses
• Certified Public Finance Officer; certification within three (3) years of hire
The requirements listed below are representative of the formal education, experience and training preferred in order to exceptionally perform all of the functions of this position.

Education
• Graduate level degree in Accounting/Finance

Experience
• Seven to ten (7-10) years’ experience in local government accounting/finance

Trainings, Certificates, and Licenses
• Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Additional national training through the Government Finance Officers Association and locally through the Minnesota Government Finance Officers Association