Assistant Comptroller | City of North Chicago

Primary Purpose:
-Directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations within the
Comptroller’s Office, ensures the goals and objectives are met, provides highly responsible and complex analysis and support.
-Acts as backup for other staff, including Comptroller, when needed.
-Leads and manages utility billing, accounts payable, and revenue collection across multiple departments.
-Has considerable latitude for sound, independent judgment, discretion, and initiative in carrying out daily operations within established guidelines.

Essential Responsibilities:
-Coordinates and monitors the accounting, disbursement, auditing, and administration of
the City's financial operations;
-Develops, recommends, implements and updates procedures to economize operations
while increasing productivity;
-Independently makes decisions regarding utility bills including but not limited to water
shut-offs, granting extensions, crafting payment plans, etc.; develops and manages water
shut-off work plan;
-Monitors contracts to ensure compliance;
-Assesses and recommends capital needs based on life-cycle estimates and maintenance
costs;
-Ensures that customer complaints and inquiries are resolved quickly and effectively;
-Recommends and implements effective programs for enhancing the public image of the
Comptroller’s Office;
-Promotes excellence in customer service and promotes an excellent public image of the
department and City;
-Supervises department staff, gives performance evaluations and progressive discipline, if
necessary;
-Prepares complex reports, studies, and correspondence, gives recommendations;
-Implements appropriate correction action;
-Participates in the design and implementation of new computerized accounting systems to
improve the effectiveness of financial reporting;
-Provides initial job orientation to subordinates; coaches subordinates to improve current
job performance and to develop themselves for promotional opportunities; accomplishes
desired results through subordinates; delegates assignments appropriately; and ensures
equal opportunities for training;
-Verifies quality of the work product to ensure accuracy of data;
-Communicates regularly with staff and others for the purposes of improving
individual/department performance, teamwork and efficiency within the unit and across
the agency;
-Collects and completes production of monthly activity reports;
-Assists the Comptroller in the formulation, analysis, and monitoring of the annual budget;
-Ensures the Budget versus Actual expenditure reports appropriately distributed;
-Supports the Comptroller with special projects and acts as a back-up in their absence;
-Reviews each payroll prior to submission, paying special attention to payroll changes
made by staff, to ensure accuracy, timeliness and conformity with company guidelines;
-Monitors and reviews payroll tax deposits, filings and reconciliation;
-Collaborates with Human Resources in the preparation of workers compensation reports
for insurance rates;
-Leads all payroll related functions such as assesses and analyzes general ledger accounts
for payroll and fringe benefits so that they are properly allocated. Reconciles these
accounts;

Minimum Required Skills or Competencies:
-Assist and provide management of a comprehensive financial and accounting services
department;
-Assist in the planning and direction the City's accounting operations;
-Knowledge and experience of all requirements and functions of the Comptroller’s Office;
-Skill in communicating with others, both orally and in writing;
-Ability to create and implement short and long-range plans;
-Ensure the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements, reports and analysis.
-Ability to use a computer, calculator, copier, and all other necessary office equipment;
-Excellent organizational skills;
-Knowledge of City government organization, functions, policies, and rules and regulations;
-Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff;
-Participate in the development and administration of goals, objectives and procedures;
-Proficient computer skills including but not limited to Microsoft Office products, ERP
systems, utility billing software systems and databases;
-Accurately analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of
proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals;
-Work efficiently in a fast-paced work environment subject to occasional interruptions;
-Organize and manage multiple priorities to achieve maximum efficiency and to meet
deadlines;
-Demonstrate strong attention to detail;
-Knowledge of accounting competencies in three or more of the following areas:
-Accounts payable/receivable, payroll, asset administration, preparation of financial
statements, budgets, or statistical /ratio reporting;
-Skill to keep the City in compliance with all reporting requirements;

-Bachelor's degree in public administration, accounting, finance, or closely related field from an accredited college or university required. Must have 5+ years of progressively responsible work experience in accounting/financial and supervisory experience. Governmental accounting is preferred. Skill set preferred are excellent customer service skills, being team-oriented, and strong work ethic. Knowledge of Tax Increment Financing is a plus.

-Candidates must be creative with a willingness to engage in process improvements and a desire to think about local government service delivery and local government financing in new and innovative ways and continue the City’s path toward the GFOA Budget and CAFR Awards.

Special requirement: Successful completion of pre-employment background check, including a credit check.