Controller

Are you an experienced financial professional ready to take the next step in your career? The City of Virginia Beach, recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best-In-State Employers 2024, is seeking a dynamic and skilled Controller to lead the activities of the Accounting Division, through supervision and coordination of work with the principal accountant and other professional and administrative staff. This pivotal role reports directly to the Deputy Director of Finance. The ideal candidate will have experience in municipal accounting, financial reporting including the ACFR, compliance with GASB standards, GFOA and modern accounting principles and operations. As Controller, you will be: Responsible for the organization and supervision of the financial reporting and accounting operations functions of the City. Maintain the city's financial accounting records in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to obtain and prepare required accounting data and reports. Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director of Finance, manage and coordinate the overall accounting activities of the City including financial reporting, grants reporting, and other accounting functions. Ensure the City financial reports, including the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), are completed accurately within deadlines. Oversee the timely and accurate completion of required federal, state, grant and administrative reports and documents. Coordinate with city departments on financial and accounting operations and serve as technical expert in accounting and internal controls. Oversee accounting research ensuring compliance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practices and modern accounting principles and operations. Lead the activities of the Accounting Division through supervision and coordination of the work of the principal accountant and other professional and administrative staff; review accounting responsibility assignments in association with other division heads in Finance as well as other departments to evenly distribute workload. Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the city's accounting operations and systems through documented review and improvements of processes, training of staff and implementation of strong internal controls. Exercise financial control over each city appropriations unit's operating and capital improvement budget in accordance with the budget ordinance, Council ordinance or administrative directives to avoid expenditure overdrafts. Direct and develop the City's employee expense reimbursement program. Direct escheat process, loan billing and petty cash and change funds. Develop and implement long range plans for the Bureau in conjunction with the Finance Director to discharge the division's responsibilities through best use of its present and future resources. Provide back up to Director of Finance as it relates to special large-scale project or initiatives • Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on the current workloads and department needs. Maintain and apply a comprehensive understanding of the accounting reporting requirements and responsibilities and effectively provide direction to the staff and adequately communicate with accounting staff, finance division heads and other department and division heads, state and federal agencies, vendors and members of the public who make inquiry. Thoroughly review through observation the various operations of the accounting division and interview supervisors and employees to implement reallocation of staff so as to achieve personnel utilization economies. The City offers a generous benefits package which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement, and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, and holiday and paid leave. NOTE: As a City Manager appointee, this position serves at the pleasure of the City Manager and is not considered part of the merit service as defined in City Code, section 2-75.