Finance Director

With the upcoming retirement of our long-serving Finance Director, the City of Virginia is seeking qualified candidates for our full-time Finance Director position. This key leadership role is responsible for managing and directing the City’s financial operations, including budget planning, fund management, financial reporting, audits, and compliance. The Finance Director also oversees all accounting functions and supervises departmental staff to ensure sound fiscal stewardship and transparency. This is a salaried, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is designated as a confidential role under Minnesota PELRA. An employment contract will be negotiated with the selected candidate.

Key Responsibilities:
• Direct and manage the City’s finance operations, including payroll, AP/AR, budgets, audits, and financial
planning.
• Prepare reports and present financial insights to City Council and stakeholders.
• Oversee compliance with state and federal financial regulations.
• Supervise finance staff and contribute to labor negotiations and benefit coordination.
• Manage grant reimbursements, Tax Increment Finance (TIF) programs, and capital assets.
• Collaborate with auditors, external agencies, and department heads to ensure fiscal transparency and
accountability.

What We’re Looking For:
Preferred Qualifications:
• Master’s degree and three (3) years in government finance or accounting; CPA designation.

Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years in governmental finance or accounting, including leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and public sector finance systems.
• Proven skills in budgeting, reporting, and supervising teams.
• Bonding and insurance eligibility required.

Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to shape the financial future of a dynamic and growing community. We offer a collaborative work environment, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real impact in a great community. In addition, Full-time Employees are offered a variety of benefit options including:
• Health Insurance effective first day of employment
• Life Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• VEBA (Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association) Account
• Health Care Savings Plan for Retirement Expenses
• Employee and Employer contributions to Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA)
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred
compensation (457) plan

Interested? Apply Today!

All candidates must submit a City of Virginia employment application with resume and cover letter detailing your interest in the position. Please contact ... or visit our website at www.virginiamn.us/employment for a Finance Director Application packet. Applications must be received by Britt See-Benes, City Administrator, City Hall, 327 1st Street South, Virginia MN 55792 by 4:00 p.m. on July 3, 2025.

I. TITLE: Finance Director

II. SALARY RANGE: $90,000 to $120,000; dependent on qualifications

III. REPORTS TO: City Administrator

IV. SUMMARY: The Finance Director performs complex professional and administrative work in managing, directing, and coordinating the accounting, administrative, and supervisory functions of the City's finance and accounting systems. This includes maintaining control of municipal funds, preparing budgets, and financial reporting, along with other related duties, as assigned. Work involves setting policies and goals under the direction of the City Administrator. Departmental supervision is exercised over all personnel within the department. This is an exempt position, and an employment contract will be negotiated.

V. RESPONSIBILITIES: (The responsibilities listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)
1. Discharges duties of office of the Finance Director/City Treasurer as dictated by MN Statutes.
2. Supervise all accounting staff in the Finance Department in accordance with the City's policies and
applicable laws.
3. Keep regular books of accounts, which shall at all times show the precise financial condition of the
City and contain separate accounts for the different City departments and various City funds.
These records shall include the amount, date, and purchase of each Council appropriation and
payments made on account of the same.
4. Administer and oversee all phases of the accounting cycle, including payroll processing, accounts
receivable/payable and recordkeeping; as well as reviewing and reconciling bills for payment;
manages daily cash receipts, deposits, and reconciliation of City funds for bank deposit; ensure all
incoming funds are properly credited to the appropriate accounts, as established by the City Council
or City Charter.
5. Act as the purchasing agent of the City Council unless another is specifically so designated.
Upon an authorized order, properly drawn and countersigned, process payments through the
Accounts Payable system. Keeps records of all disbursements.
6. Responsible for conducting internal audits and reconciling City bank accounts and investments to
ensure accuracy, compliance, and proper financial controls.
7. Responsible for managing all aspects of the City’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program,
including tracking revenues and expenditures, ensuring compliance with state regulations, and
preparing and submitting required annual reports.
8. Acts as the custodian of all grant funds passed through the City as fiscal agent.
9. Prepares, presents, and administer updates to the City Council regarding matters related to the
Finance Department and the City’s fiscal condition including amounts received and disbursed in each
fund and the balance of such funds; prepares the annual City budget, annual and long term capital
improvement plans, and long range financial forecasts. Provides information to the public, as
requested.
10. Prepare and submit financial reports as required by other governmental agencies including
preparation of annual budget and levy, Special Assessment notices, billings, and monthly reports.
Responsible for the completion and submittal of the annual Budget Summary required by State of
Minnesota and the Annual Indebtedness Report with St. Louis County.
11. Participates in labor negotiations, assists with labor grievances, and the implementation of labor
contracts.
12. Maintains responsibility for handling all confidential communications and documents across all departments.
13. Coordinates fiscal matters related to employee benefits with the HR/Safety Coordinator.
14. Assists appointed Economic Development Director and/or City Administrator with financial matters
related to VEDA and/or VEEDA, as needed.
15. Responsible for managing the City’s capital assets, including maintaining accurate asset records and
overseeing the development and implementation of the depreciation schedule in accordance with
accounting standards.
16. Responsible for preparing, compiling, and analyzing financial data and reports to support the City’s bond rating process, ensuring accurate and timely submission of information to rating agencies. Act as custodian for all bonds, certificates of indebtedness, and other securities held by the City and its departments. Maintain detailed records of bonds and coupons—both paid and unpaid—including documentation of those that have been cancelled and paid. Process bond payments through an electronic system.
17. Collaborates with the City’s external auditing firm by providing necessary documentation, responding
to inquiries, and assisting in the completion of the annual audit process.
18. Attends committee meetings as directed by City Administrator.
19. Performs other duties as required by law and/or direction of the City Council

VI. WORK SCHEDULE: This position will generally work a standard 40-hour workweek, during City Hall Hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Attendance at City Council meetings is required. The position may require additional time commitments outside of these hours including evenings and weekends,
particularly for meetings and events.

VII. QUALIFICATIONS:
1. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
a. Master’s Degree in accounting, finance, or public administration from an accredited college with a
minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting
and finance, including supervisory experience.
b. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.

2. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
a. Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, or public administration from an accredited college with
a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting
and finance, including supervisory experience. Years of experience may be considered in lieu of
degree requirements.
b. Strong understanding of Governmental Accounting principles, procedures, and finance practices.
c. Proficiency in financial handling, investment principles, and practices.
d. Ability to develop, implement, and manage a city-wide computer accounting and information
system. Solid understanding of internal control procedures with skill in preparing and analyzing
complex financial reports; proven ability to design and maintain efficient and effective financial
systems and procedures.
e. Familiarity with State and Federal Governmental compliance requirements, as well as relevant
legislation governing Governmental Finance.
f. Extensive knowledge of budgetary processes, accounting systems, and reporting standards,
including GAAP and GASB.
g. Proven ability to prepare complex financial statements, reports, and conduct internal audits, with
proficiency in using personal computers and software, including spreadsheets, word processors,
databases, spreadsheets, and 10-key calculators.
h. Experience in effectively supervising and directing accounting and clerical staff. Capable of
training and supervising employees in finance-related tasks. Ability to effectively give and follow
verbal and written instructions.
i. Strong ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative to resolve complex issues.
j. Ability to obtain and maintain bonding and insurance as required for the position.

VIII. PHYSICAL DEMANDS are those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
1. Often required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and
arms.
2. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl using extremities, as needed.
3. May operate a keyboard for up to 8 or more hours per day.
4. Ability to occasionally lift, push, or pull up to a standing position.
5. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
6. Regularly required to read and interpret documents and other written materials.
7. Regularly required to communicate and exchange information with others in person, over the
telephone, and through written communication.
8. Frequently required to remain stationary and move within the building to attend meetings, access files,
and operate office machinery.
9. Regularly required to travel around the City for meetings or events.
10. Regularly required to operate computers and other office equipment, such as copiers, printers, fax
machine, and other tools typically found in an office setting.
11. Must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

IX. WORK ENVIRONMENT:
1. The work environment is primarily an office setting, with a moderate level of noise from phones,
conversations, and office equipment.
2. The position may require extended periods of sitting, working at a computer, and performing tasks
that require attention to detail.
3. Occasional travel to meetings or events within the city may be required.
4. The office is climate-controlled, and employees are expected to follow all safety protocols and
organizational policies to maintain a safe and efficient workplace.
5. The role may also involve interacting with the public and other departments, requiring professional
communication and a customer-service-oriented approach.

X. PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTING
1. Successful completion of pre-employment physical and drug screen is required.
2. Successful completion of comprehensive pre-employment background investigation is required.

XI. EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
This position is exempt from overtime pay requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and
Minnesota law, based on the Executive Exemption. The role is responsible for managing the department's
budget, overseeing financial reporting, debt management, and risk management, as well as supervising
Finance Department staff.

This position is designated as confidential under the Minnesota Public Employment Labor Relations
Act (PELRA), Minnesota Statutes §179A.03, Subd. 4. As defined by PELRA, a confidential employee
is one who has access to sensitive labor relations and financial information, including data related to
collective bargaining cost analysis, personnel budgeting, and compensation planning for union represented employees. Due to the nature of these responsibilities, this position is excluded from
union representation.

This job description is not an employment contract and does not create any binding agreement between
the employer and employee. It is subject to change at the discretion of the employer to meet
organizational needs and evolving job requirements.