Director of Finance

The City of Decatur is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking municipal finance leader with deep expertise in governmental accounting, budgeting, treasury management, and long-range financial planning. The ideal candidate will bring a proven ability to advance fiscal sustainability through strategic financial analysis, sound stewardship of public resources, and thoughtful planning for the City’s future. They should possess a comprehensive understanding of GASB standards, public sector financial operations, debt management, and capital financing — balancing technical rigor with the broader strategic priorities of City leadership.

Experience leveraging ERP systems and modern financial technologies to strengthen efficiency, transparency, reporting, and customer service is highly valued.

Equally important, the successful candidate will be a collaborative and trusted advisor who translates complex financial information into clear, accessible communication for elected officials, department leaders, staff, and the public. The ideal candidate will demonstrate integrity, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to public service, along with a proven ability to build strong working relationships across the organization. They should have experience leading and developing professional staff, championing organizational improvement, and fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational excellence within a public-sector environment.

• Oversees all fiscal affairs of the City, including accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and risk management.
• Serves as trusted financial advisor to the City Manager and City Council on fiscal policy, long-range financial planning, and funding strategies — including tax strategies and debt issuance — that support City operations and community development.
• Leads long-range financial planning forecasts for all City funds in collaboration with Department Directors.
• Evaluates financial trends, economic conditions, and operational impacts to inform decision-making and long-term fiscal sustainability.

• Directs the preparation and administration of the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Leads the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards.
• Ensures accurate, transparent, and timely financial reporting to all stakeholders.
• Maintains compliance with applicable federal, state, and local financial regulations, reporting requirements, and internal financial controls.
• Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with external auditors, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies.

• Manages issuance and administration of long-term debt instruments.
• Develops and executes investment policies; oversees day-to-day investment of City funds.
• Monitors cash flow, financial reserves, and debt capacity to sustain the City’s long-term financial health and advance strategic priorities.
• Oversees centralized purchasing of goods and services across all City departments in alignment with City objectives.
• Directs risk management functions to safeguard City assets and ensure financial stability.
• Promotes a culture of sound financial stewardship through effective internal controls, purchasing practices, and risk mitigation strategies.

• Evaluates and implements financial systems and customer service technology, including online payment platforms and digital processing solutions.
• Leads modernization and continuous improvement initiatives across financial operations and service delivery.

• Provides leadership and strategic direction for a Finance Department of approximately 25 employees, including direct supervision and evaluation of seven managerial staff members.
• Fosters a collaborative, high-performing team culture and builds strong cross-departmental partnerships to support effective financial planning, operational coordination, and organizational goals.