Finance Director in Lake Forest Park, Washington at City of Lake Forest Park

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, however to be considered in the first round of application reviews please apply by July 8th, 2026.

The Finance Director is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Finance & IT department including budgeting, financial planning, debt management, accounts payable and receivable, cash management, payroll, utility billing, business licensing and taxation, and information services; Manages assigned staff and assures that department activities and operations follow State and Federal regulations, and City policies and procedures. Attendance at evening City Council meetings is frequently required.

Work includes creating an environment of trust and ethical management of City resources by prioritizing the following:

• Stewarding community resources in such a way as to produce the best value for each tax dollar.
• Advising and recommending approach in delivering fiscally sound solutions to citywide challenges.
• Collaborating on fiscal challenges and long-term planning of service expansion and enhancements.
• Encouraging actions and decisions through analysis that align with the City’s mission and core values.

As a member of the City’s Leadership Team, the Finance Director collaborates with the City Administrator, Mayor, City Council and other City departments on strategy and policy to ensure that the City’s mission and core values are incorporated into operational activities and services.

The City offers a hybrid work schedule, excellent time-off benefits, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD), employee assistance program (EAP), HRA/HSA/FSA, enrollment in Washington State's DRS PERS retirement pension plan, 401(a) retirement plan with City matching contribution (social security replacement plan), and an optional 457 deferred compensation plan (DCP).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for all accounting, payroll, accounts payable, cash receipts, cash disbursements, cash management, and financial reporting: as well as the activities of the Treasurer’s office as prescribed by state law, including investment of City money and all debt administration.
• Serves as Chief Financial Officer and principal financial advisor to the Mayor, City Council and City Administrator; provides leadership, direction, and guidance in financial strategies and priorities; compiles, evaluates, and analyzes financial data; recommends and implements solutions; ensures financial activities and procedures are in compliance with all laws, policies, regulations, and accounting standards.
• Develops and directs financial plans and policies to meet City goals; interprets concerns, defines desired results, develops solutions, and determines scope and priorities of programs and special projects.
• Analyzes financial information on City operations, evaluates City's needs, and recommends financial resource requirements; reviews and monitors status reports and recommends appropriate actions; oversees the preparation of and presents financial forecasts and status reports to City Council through the Budget & Finance Committee; ensures effective communication of financial issues.
• Monitors Finance Department operations and internal financial controls; ensures the quality of the financial activities, services, and work products; prepares statistical analysis to evaluate trends and financial status; develops revenue and expenditure forecasts and recommends budget adjustments.
• Coordinates development of City budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP), recommends funding allocations; monitors budget, revenue, and expenditure trends; and advises the Mayor, City Administrator, City Council, and department directors and other management personnel as necessary and appropriate.
• Serves as a member of the City Administrator's leadership team and participates in developing appropriate actions for a wide variety of interdepartmental and/or City-wide issues.
• Directs and coordinates the information technology (IT) services of the City. This includes responsibility for short and long-range planning of the City’s technical infrastructure to ensure that it supports current and future communication and compliance needs.
• Coordinates Finance department activities and issues with elected officials, outside agencies, boards, and commissions; interprets and explains City policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Develops and maintains a workforce committed to, and with highly developed competencies in, customer service, results orientation, and teamwork; develops priorities and assigns tasks/projects; selects, trains, motivates, mentors and evaluates staff; meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve priorities and workload and technical issues; establishes and monitors employee performance objectives; plans, directs and coordinates work plans; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements corrective action.
• Facilitates problem solving in the department and encourages a high degree of communication and feedback between employees and supervisors; leads by example by maintaining high standards of behavior and performance.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises assigned Finance and IT staff.

Education and Experience

Required:

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in related field.
• Prior related municipal government experience.
• CPA license.
• Working knowledge in accounting and payroll programs similar to those used by the City (Springbrook, PACE, Enterprise Justice for Municipal Court).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Knowledge of:

• City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Principles and practices of financial management, accounting, cash basis accounting and payroll administration.
• Proficient in accounting and payroll programs used by the City (Springbrook, PACE, Enterprise Justice);
• Pertinent Federal, State and local codes, laws, and regulations.
• Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) standards; recommended practices, policies, rules, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Principles for Public Sector financial management, including payroll, treasury, grant funds, and public debt management.
• Sound knowledge of organizational, fiscal, personnel and supervisory practices and principles.
• Proficient knowledge of computers and applicable computer software applications, including specific knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Adobe, and Outlook; Working knowledge of modern administrative office procedures, methods, and equipment.
• Business letter writing and report preparation with proficient spelling and grammatical skills.

Skill in:

• Reading, interpreting, understanding, and accurately applying accounting standards and procedures, applicable Federal and State rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong business and fiscal management skills.
• Strong attention to detail, working in a busy and sometimes stressful environment and changing priorities.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Effective team building and leadership skills.
• Strategic planning and time management skills.

Ability to:

• Participate and work effectively in an organization committed to treating all people in a fair and impartial manner.
• Report for scheduled work with regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Work independently with a high degree of reliability, accuracy, productivity, and confidentiality.
• Monitor and interpret financial documents, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements governing municipal financial activities.
• Maintain current working knowledge of relevant accounting regulations, payroll/accounting software and record keeping requirements.
• Analyze financial issues, evaluate alternatives, and develop recommendations and strategies. Includes analyzing City needs and prioritizing and promoting financial strategies to meet future needs.
• Reviewing interrelated financial and technical records and identifying/reconciling errors.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, employees, customers, vendors, intergovernmental agencies and the general public.
• Mentor, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.
• Plan, implement, manage, and evaluate a wide variety of simultaneous Finance & IT programs, goals, and objectives.
• Conduct oneself in a professional manner as defined by City policy and maintain confidentiality.
• Exercise discretion and sound judgment in coordinating, organizing, prioritizing, problem-solving, and performing assigned work to meet fixed or fluctuating deadlines and achieve work objectives.
• Adapt to changes in the work environment and to shifts in organizational philosophy and expectations.
• Communicate in English clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing.

WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The duties in this position are performed primarily in an office setting utilizing standard office equipment with moderate noise levels. Work includes frequent attendance at evening City Council and Committee meetings. Occasional weekend work may be required.