Department: Finance
Location: Midland, MI
Position Type: FT Employee
Salary: $102,954–$119,894/year DOQ
Open Date: June 15, 2026
Exempt: No
Due to a retirement and a promotion we are looking for a new Controller!
Purpose and Scope
The Controller ensures accuracy and efficiency of City financial reporting, budgeting and processing, through direct professional accountancy work and through leading the Finance Department team. Plans and directs accounting functions for all city revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the City’s financial records, and the integrity of the City’s internal controls.
Manages the annual audit and the preparation of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, in accordance with GASB requirements. Oversees the preparation and enforcement of the City’s Annual budget. Provides support on the management of the City’s property and general liability insurance policies.
Supervision
This position supervises the Finance Department, including direct and indirect supervision (through subordinate supervisors) of the following positions: Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Accountant, Accountant, Payroll Coordinator and Accounting Specialist.
Examples of Job Duties
The following is intended as a brief description/illustration of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of this position and are not intended to be all encompassing or all-inclusive.
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Establishes and maintains an effective system of internal controls that provides for the proper safeguarding and accounting of all City assets. Conducts internal audits, supervises physical inventories, and supervises the annual audit performed by external certified public accountants.
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Maintains updated accounting policies and procedures to ensure accurate and timely payments of payroll, vendors, and City obligations; accurate and timely recording of receipts, materials, and other assets; and accurate and timely posting of journal entries.
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Plans and coordinates year-end procedures, the performance of the annual audit, and the preparation of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Prepares schedules, footnotes, and/or other documentation as requested to be included in the City’s ACFR.
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Provides assistance and answers questions from the City’s auditors, as needed, in their performance of the City’s annual financial audit. Prepares work papers to support year-end account balances and financial activity, as required by year-end procedures and the auditors.
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Plans and coordinates the annual budget process. Reviews, analyzes and negotiates departmental budget requests. Provides budget training as needed. Prepares the annual budget document. Prepares complex analyses with long range projections for Proprietary Funds. Participates in meetings with department heads and attends City Council Meetings throughout the City budget process to answer questions regarding the budget.
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Develops and maintains budget procedures for use by City departments throughout the year to ensure accuracy and timeliness in measuring, planning, and controlling department operations.
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Provides guidance to other City staff and department heads, as appropriate, in carrying out daily accounting functions to ensure the efficient and accurate accounting of the City’s revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities.
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Provides leadership and mentoring to all department Finance staff to ensure their work is completed in accordance with established procedures and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Trains and coaches staff as necessary to optimize department performance.
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Compiles information for periodic financial reports to City Council.
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Coordinates with Information Services on new technology initiatives for the Finance Department, including software improvements.
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Maintains the City’s chart of accounts for compliance with State of Michigan standards.
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Reviews special assessment annual billings for accuracy, makes changes as needed, and performs annual billing and transfer to tax of all special assessments.
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Prepares other analyses, charts, graphs, and/or overhead presentations as requested by the Director of Fiscal Services, Assistant City Manager or City Manager to assist management in solving operational problems or analyzing financial operations. Provides assistance when requested in presentations to City Council.
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Oversees maintenance of Finance Department records in accordance with approved retention schedules.
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Participates in special project assignments to assist management in the development of solutions
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Provides support to the manager of the City’s property and general liability insurance.
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Furthers the mission, vision and values of the City and Finance Department through excellent customer service, creative problem solving, decision making, and stewardship of City resources.
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All other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
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Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or related. Certified Public Accountant certification preferred. Master’s degree preferred.
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Five years of progressive leadership experience in governmental accounting or auditing.
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Knowledge of accounting theory and practice; knowledge of accounting systems, procedures, and internal controls; ability to analyze complex financial data and prepare meaningful reports.
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Demonstrated knowledge of technology and software applications for delivery of financial services; aptitude to learn and master operation of financial enterprise software. Must be highly proficient in spreadsheet applications to solve complex financial/accounting problems including the use of formulas and writing macros. Must be highly adept at key tools used for accounting and reporting, such as MS Excel, Access, Adope Pro.
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Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated history of effective leadership.
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Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing to a wide variety of audiences.
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Ability and initiative to work independently and cooperatively as part of a team.
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Attention to detail with strong aptitude for business processes.
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Ability to exercise good judgement, initiative and resourcefulness in dealing a wide variety of individuals including subordinates, co-workers, internal customers and external contacts such as audit staff.
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Ability to work under stress and use good judgment in critical situations.
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Ability to work evenings and weekends when required.
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Skill in assembling information, analyzing data, preparing comprehensive and accurate reports, and formulating policy and service recommendations.
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Must possess a valid State of Michigan driver’s license with a good driving record.
Physical and Mental Demands
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the individual must regularly move around the office and attend meetings outside of City Hall; must be able to work at a desk with office machinery; communicate with individuals in person and by telephone; repetitively operate all standard office equipment; required to occasionally lift, move and secure objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations, including emergency situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; and interact with other coworkers, other departments, the public and others encountered in the course of work.
Additional Information
Exempt: No
Type: FT Employee
Department: Finance
Location: Midland, MI
