GRAND RAPIDS, MI (pop. 198,893) is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Deputy City Comptroller with a proven track record helping organizations manage and meet their audit and accounting goals and requirements. Grand Rapids is a full-service city that operates under the Council-Manager form of government with a full-time staff of 1,600 and a FY 2025 combined budget of $690 million. The City is in sound financial condition with a 66.8 million general fund balance (FY23) and a AA bond rating.
Recognized as one of the safest large cities in America, Grand Rapids is consistently listed as one of the best places to visit, live, buy a home, or pursue an education. The region has some of the top school systems for K-12 and is home to several highly regarded colleges and universities — including Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Calvin University and Aquinas College. Come join a thriving organization in the economic and cultural hub of Western Michigan!
Deputy City Comptroller Position
The function of the Deputy City Comptroller is to guide the day-to-day operations of the Office of the City Comptroller under the oversight of the separately elected City Comptroller. The Office is supported by 15 full-time positions focused on both internal support to city departments and fulfilling major annual accounting and audit deliverables to the State of Michigan, federal government, and the Grand Rapids public.
The Deputy City Comptroller manages and supervises the work of accounting, internal audit, payroll and accounts payable personnel and operations; participates in hiring, training, delegates work assignments; conducts performance evaluations; manages, maintains and reviews accounting programs and systems; prepares/approves financial reports and journal entries, prepares annual financial reports of actuals and adjusted budgets for review by auditors and leads and coordinates independent audit deliverables for the City. Additional responsibilities include:
Prepares monthly financial reports and statements including journal entries for the city and other agencies; ensures that all data is received from departments; ensures and completes all relevant journal entries on money and voucher records, transfers, and expenditures; prepares accounting and financial reports for the general fund and all other funds
Coordinates the annual audit; consolidates and files final fund reporting
Supervises and works with financial system administrators for daily and monthly operation of the financial systems along with year-end planning, coordinating and systems processing
Optimizing the ERP accounting system for City departments and users to drive efficiencies, best practices, and strong internal controls in day-to-day City financial operations.
Manages the chart of accounts structure, reviews, and approves documents processed in the financial system; approves journal entries, interfaces, and accounts payable payments
Manages implementation activities for the financial system; assumes responsibility for navigation training, user acceptance testing, and functionality of reports
Oversees the preparation and monitoring of the Comptroller’s department budget; prepares annual financial reports from adjusted budgets for review by auditors; adjusts the adopted budget for all accruals including payables, receivables and depreciation (Link to the Job Description)
The ideal candidate will:
Be innovative and a creative problem-solver, with new ideas on how to grow and evolve the City’s Internal Audit function and evolve Accounts Payable processes.
Embody principles of integrity, transparency and accountability and the importance each plays in oversight of local government finance and accounting operations.
Bring strong technical expertise with the ability to socialize and present on complex accounting subject matters to non-technical audiences.
Be a proven people leader with managerial responsibilities over accounting, internal audit or financial and payment operations and functions in a large organization.
Priorities, Initiatives, And Challenges
Manage and maintain the security and stability of the City of Grand Rapids accounting systems and processes.
Asses new technology solutions and implement improvements to major City processes such as payroll and centralization of Accounts Payable
Develop and implement a comprehensive long range internal audit plan.
Required Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in accounting or business administration
At least six (6) years of professional accounting experience, including supervisory experience, or any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.
Preferences
Registration as a Certified Public Accountant is highly preferred.
Certified Managerial Accountant, Certified Public Finance Officer, or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is desirable.
Required Knowledge
Generally accepted accounting principles
Governmental accounting, fund accounting, auditing, and financial reporting
Principles and practices of employee supervision
Spreadsheet and database applications and financial systems
Compensation
The compensation range for the position is $114,930 - $151,000 annually, DOQ/E. The City offers a generous benefit package that is competitive with the market. Work location flexibility is available up to 40% of the time.
Apply with résumé, cover letter, and contact information for five professional references (no references will be contacted without prior notice). For questions, contact Ryan Cotton, MGT Approved Independent Executive Recruiter, at 847-380-3240 at Ext. 114.
This position open until filled. Candidates’ applications remain confidential until the semi-finalist stage. GRAND RAPIDS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ADA EMPLOYER.
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
