Director of Finance

City of Colonial Heights, VA

$115K — $140K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years in a supervisory finance role, or a Master's degree with 5 years' experience.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Finance or a related field.
  • Professional certifications such as CPA and CPFO are desirable.
  • In-depth knowledge of GAAP and governmental accounting principles.
  • Strong communication and leadership skills.
  • Expertise in budget preparation and financial reporting.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial systems.

Responsibilities

  • Direct and evaluate Finance Department staff activities.
  • Assist the City Manager in financial planning and budgeting.
  • Prepare and coordinate revenue estimates and budgets.
  • Manage bond issuance processes and coordinate presentations.
  • Oversee annual audits and fiscal statement preparations.
  • Establish citywide accounting systems in line with GAAP and GASB standards.
  • Monitor the City's financial health and recommend policies as needed.

Benefits

  • Health insurance through Local Choice Program, covering dental and vision.
  • Supplemental retirement plans available anytime during employment.
  • Paid leave for 14 holidays per year.
  • Accrued paid vacation and sick leave from the first month of employment.
  • Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts offered.
  • Voluntary benefits available including disability and life insurance options.
  • Education discounts available through Liberty University.
Full Job Description
Salary: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00 Annually
Location : City of Colonial Heights, VA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 50-26
Department: Finance
Division: Administration
Opening Date: 09/04/2026

Description
** Open Until Filled. First review of applications to begin no later than October 2, 2026. **
The City of Colonial Heights is seeking a highly professional Director of Finance to provide overall direction and leadership of the City's financial operations.

Hiring Range: $115,000 - $140,000; Negotiable (Anticipate hiring above the pay range minimum).

This position, which reports to the City Manager, directs, manages, and oversees the staff and the functions of the Finance Department, to include Accounting, Payroll, Purchasing, Risk Management, Utility Billing, Real Estate Assessment, and Billing and Collections. Assists the City Manager with the development and implementation of financial matters, including budget preparations and controls, financial reports and statement preparations, and strategic planning; serves as an advisor to the City Manager and Department Directors.
Examples of Duties

  • Directs, supervises, and evaluates Finance Department staff.
  • Assists the City Manager with the development and implementation of financial matters, including budget preparations and controls, financial reports and statement preparations, and strategic planning.
  • Prepares revenue estimates and coordinates budget preparation and review.
  • Coordinates the issuance of bonds, bond rating agency presentations, and official statements concerning the amount of debt capacity.
  • Oversees the preparation of fiscal statements and accounting systems and coordinates annual audit procedures and financial reports.
  • Establishes and maintains citywide accounting and reporting systems pursuant to Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) standards.
  • Provides financial oversight for all departments.
  • Oversees financial administration of grants and grant-funded programs.
  • Appraises operating results in terms of costs, budgets, operating policies and procedures, and makes appropriate change recommendations.
  • Invests City funds.
  • Analyzes the City's existing debt structure, and projects future financing needs and options for funding those needs.
  • Establishes and monitors short and long-term financial goals of the City, including the City's enterprise operations.
  • Recommends financial policies and procedures, drafts and proposes financial accounting policies and practices to manage the City's financial risks by researching, analyzing, and implementing accepted governmental accounting policies and procedures.
  • Coordinates procurement activities, reviews and approves city purchases.
  • Addresses citizen inquiries.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor's Degree and over 10-years directly related supervisory experience; or Master's Degree and over 5-years directly related supervisory experience, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is desirable.
  • Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) is desirable.
Must possess:
  • Comprehensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and of general laws and administrative policies governing municipal financial practices and procedures.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of governmental accounting, budget preparation and account reconciliation.
  • Must have strong leadership, managerial, communication (oral and written), and presentation skills; must have a clear and open communication style.
  • Must have strong quantitative and analytical skills.
  • Needs the ability to prepare informative financial reports.
  • Needs the ability to plan, organize, direct and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
  • Needs the ability to evaluate complex financial systems and efficiently formulate and install accounting methods, procedures, forms and records.
  • Needs the ability to build strong working relationships within and across departments, with the City's Management team, the Mayor and City Council, and other City officials.

Physical Demands & Work Environment
The work is generally performed in an office environment. Typically, the employee may sit to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, stooping, carrying of light items such as papers, books, or small parts, or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions. Use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals are minimally required.
Full-Time Employee Benefits:

Health Insurance -
  • The Local Choice Program (Anthem, Delta Dental, and Blue Vision).
  • Health, Dental, and Vision benefits are included as a package under our health insurance program and cannot be purchased as separate coverage items.
  • Health insurance benefits start on the 1st of the month following the hire date.
  • Benefit Summaries

Retirement -

Supplemental Retirement -
  • We offer supplemental Retirement plans through Mission Square Retirement.
  • Employees can enroll in the following plans at any time during their employment.

Paid Holiday Leave
  • The city observes 14 holidays throughout the year (except certain departments if scheduling does not permit).

Paid Vacation Leave

Years of Service

Day(s) Earned

Per Month

Max. Annual

Accrual Days

Max. Days for

Carry Forward

0 - 5 Years

1

12

24

Over 5 Years



15

30

Over 10 Years



18

36

Over 20 Years



21

42

Paid Sick Leave
  • All full-time employees earn (1¼) days of paid sick leave for each calendar month of employment and is accumulated without limit.

Compensatory Leave
  • Non-Exempt employees may accumulate compensatory leave only for overtime worked which is authorized prior to the performance of such work. Compensatory leave may be accumulated at the rate of 1 1/2 times the regular rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 during a work week. Compensatory leave for nonexempt employees is voluntary but in no instance may exceed 120 hours of accumulated leave. All hours in excess of 120 hours will be compensated on the same basis as approved overtime.

Voluntary Benefits -
  • Employees have 30 days from their hire date to enroll in the following benefits. If an employee does not enroll, they cannot enroll until the next Open Enrollment.

Colonial Life Products

Pre-Tax:

Post Tax:

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Critical Illness

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Disability

Cancer

Term Life

Accident

Whole Life

Medical Bridge

Student Loan Forgiveness Program

* Note: Employees can only enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA) during Open Enrollment in May of each year. *

Other Benefits
  • Bi-weekly payday
  • Virginia Credit Union membership
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • City Sick Leave Bank Program (VRS Plan 1 and Plan 2 Members only)
  • VRS Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (VRS Hybrid Members only)
  • Education/tuition discounts through Liberty University

For additional information or more details about employee benefits please call the Human Resources Department at (804) 518-5073.
01

Highest level of education?
  • High school diploma/GED
  • Associates Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree

02

How many years of State or Local Government accounting experience do you possess?
  • No State and/or Local Government experience.
  • Less than 1 year of experience
  • 1-2 years of experience
  • 3-4 years of experience
  • 5+ years of experience

03

How many years of supervisory experience do you possess?
  • 0 to 1
  • 2 to 3
  • 4 to 5
  • 6 to 7
  • 8 to 9
  • 10+

04

Do you have any type of certification(s)?
  • Yes
  • No

05

If yes, please list your certification(s):*NOTE: If this question is not applicable, you must indicate N/A in the response area.
06

Are you a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)?
  • Yes
  • No

07

Please describe an innovative project you were involved with over the past several years. Please describe your role.
08

From your past work experience, what is your best example of balancing the competing interests of different stake holders?
09

What management practices do you use to develop and mentor staff?
10

Describe the extent of your experience and your role in the local government audit process.
Required Question

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