Apply for Controller

Job Summary

$104,024 - $164,222 / year DOQ + Full-Time County Benefits 

The Controller is a finance leader responsible for overseeing the governmental accounting, financial reporting, and internal control activities for the organization. This role ensures the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of financial information in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements. The Controller supports executive leadership, elected officials, and governing bodies by providing reliable financial data, ensuring regulatory compliance, and safeguarding public funds.

Responsibilities

• Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting: Oversees the accounting and reporting operations using fund accounting principles, including general, special revenue, capital projects, debt service, and enterprise funds. Conducts research and leads the implementation of new accounting standards. Prepares the annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) and financial statements in accordance with GAAP and GASB standards, including supporting schedules and disclosures. Prepares the Auditor of Public Accounts’ (APA) comparative cost transmittal report and leads the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) actuarial valuations. Maintains the general ledger and ensures accurate accounting for grants, capital assets, and long-term liabilities.

• Internal Controls, Compliance, and Audit: Designs, implements, and maintains internal controls to safeguard public assets and ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policies. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial reporting requirements, including grant and restricted fund reporting. Serves as the primary liaison with external auditors and state oversight agencies; coordinates annual audits, and responds to findings. Oversees the selection process of the external audit firm.

• Reconciliations: Assists with and reviews reconciliations and reporting for federal, state, and local agencies to ensure appropriate accounting and reimbursement to the County and its fiscal agencies.

• Policy and Systems: Establishes, maintains, and documents accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls consistent with best practices. Oversee financial systems and ERP modules related to accounting, grants, and reporting; drive process improvements and automation.

• People Leadership: Provides effective supervision, employee relations, and development of staff. Set and manage performance expectations and manages professional development plans for teams in multiple divisions within the department.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Accounting, or related field and eight years of relevant experience in accounting and auditing using complex financial systems.

• Master’s degree, CPA license, and local government experience preferred.

• Five years of demonstrated experience team management/development.

• Extensive knowledge of principles, methods, and practices of accounting, auditing, general ledger, reconciling and balancing, and financial reporting in compliance with GAAP, GASB standards, and best practices.

• Skill in organization to manage multiple tasks; paying close attention to detail; time management to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.

• Ability to apply technical and statistical knowledge in developing and interpreting financial models; perform and oversee the use of analytical procedures and methods for identifying financial deficiencies and problems; plan, organize, manage, and coordinate complex financial operations concurrently; gather and analyze data and to recommend and implement policy and procedural changes resulting from such analyses.

• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, evaluate, inform, and motivate staff in a positive and effective manner; apply leadership techniques, principles and procedures to assign work, schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.

• Skill in use of computer software, especially Microsoft Office Suite.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees and the public; maintain complex records, assemble and organize data, and prepare reports from such records; exercise independent judgment and initiative and attention to detail in accordance with established policies and procedures with minimal supervision.

• Must possess reliable transportation to work site(s).

Click here ​for full job description. Accepting applications until position is filled. Cover letters and resumes may also be attached, but a fully completed application is required for your application to be considered.

James City County is dedicated to building a diverse workforce and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations. If you need assistance with completing the employment application, please contact the HR Department at 757-253-6680 or email [email protected].