FINANCE DIRECTOR

Salary : $153,996.00 - $187,356.00 Annually
Location : City Hall, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Finance Department
Opening Date: 07/14/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: DIRS

Description
NATURE OF POSITION

Plan, organize, control, and direct the finance department operations including purchasing, accounts payable, budgetary and financial reporting, and utility accounting, billing and collection; ensure accounting activities comply with generally accepted accounting principles and with the State of Washington's budgeting accounting and reporting system; support the activities of City departments through provision of services and information.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General direction and oversight are provided by the City Manager.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City's core values: Service - Integrity - Collaboration - Equity - Leadership - Community
2. Plan, organize, and direct the work activities of the Finance Department, including, but not limited to, accounting, debt management, financial reporting, payroll, and treasury management.
3. Prepare various reports and statements on financial condition. Formulates and makes presentations using graphical representations of financial data and analysis.
4. Develop and maintain an effective customer service program for external and internal City customers, providing information and services as requested and required.
5. Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination, and disciplinary actions; plan, coordinate, and arrange for appropriate training of subordinates.
6. Serve as an effective member of the Leadership Team, participating in long- and short-range planning and special projects as necessary.
7. Assists with debt and bond issuance activities; monitors the City's debt portfolio and debt capacity; formulates and recommended policies and practices to ensure prudent management of the City's debt.
8. Prepare the finance department budget, and monitor expenses within the budget, assist in preparing the city-wide budget, develop new budget techniques, and make recommendations to the City Council, City Manager and staff.
9. Oversee the accounting and financial reporting functions in the City. Ensures compliance with state and local laws and that all financial transactions are recorded in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Evaluate and make recommendations regarding the City's financial system needs; establish and maintain internal control procedures and ensure that standard accounting procedures are maintained.
10. Act as an intermediary in resolving customer disputes and complaints.
11. Prepare financial reports and statements; oversee, direct, and assist in the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance, which is essential for successful job performance.
2. Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
3. Execute assignments, projects, and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes, work independently and effectively with little direction.
4. Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
5. Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
6. Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Applicable State and federal laws including Washington government codes and federal income tax withholding regulations.
• Generally accepted accounting principles, Governmental Accounting Standard Board's pronouncements (Statements, Interpretations, Technical Bulletins and Exposure Drafts) and ability to perform advanced-level accounting duties including budgetary principles and practices, budget preparation and control.
• State of Washington Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System. Comprehensive working knowledge of ERP systems to manage and utilize them to their full capacity.
• Investment and treasury functions and activities.
• Interdepartmental structure and functions.
• Record-keeping techniques, data processing concepts and methods, and maintenance of fiscally accurate and easily accessible records.
• Research methods and report writing techniques.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Perform mathematical calculations accurately.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Computers, Microsoft Office, and financial applications, including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheets, and database software packages. Copier, scanner, and telephone.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Sitting and standing for extended periods of time; seeing, hearing, and speaking to exchange information; repetitive hand movements; intermittently stand, walk, kneel down, stoop, bend at the waist and lift up to 20 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT

Office environment; subject to evening or variable hours.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination equivalent to bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or closely related field; and five years' increasingly responsible financial accounting experience in municipal government including at least five years in a supervisory capacity.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or closely related field. CPA or demonstrated progress in acquiring a CPA. Enterprise Resource Planning software experience. Bilingual in Spanish.

Summary of Benefits
The benefits listed below are those currently enjoyed by full-time Directors of the City of Walla Walla. It is important to remember that over the course of time these benefits may change - they are not permanent. Benefits may change through the City Council or administrative action, contracts or changes mandated by state and federal law.

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Employees are eligible the first of the month following the first day of employment.

Employees and all eligible dependents are covered for Medical, Dental, and Vision for only $139.34/month.

Medical - 4 plans to select from:
Low-Deductible Plans:

1. Regence Blue Shield HealthFirst 250
2. Kaiser (HMO) 200

High-Deductible Plans - eligible for H.S.A (City will contribute $750 for an individual and $1500 for a family)

1. Regence Blue Shield High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
2. Kaiser High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) HMO

Dental - Delta Dental of Washington PPO. $2,000 per year max; Class I, II and III no deductible. Orthodontia paid at 50% max lifetime payment of $1,500 per covered member.
Vision - VSP and AWC Plan B. Well Vision Exam every 12 months - $0 copay. Prescription glasses $10 copay, plus various allowances for frames, lenses, and contacts.

Hartford Life Insurance

Employees are eligible the first of the month following the first day of employment.
City paid: $50,000 Basic Life Insurance and $50,000 AD&D coverage.
Employee Voluntary: Supplemental Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability coverage available at low premiums.
Deferred Comp

Employees are eligible with their first paycheck upon enrollment. No vesting requirements
The City will match an employee's monthly contribution up to 3.5% of the employee's monthly base rate of pay. Three options include Baker Boyer Bank - BPAS, MissionSquare, or the Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). Employee contribution options for pre-tax and Roth.
Retirement Plan
Directors are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City and the employee both contribute toward the plan. PERS provides regular retirement and disability retirement benefits. City employees also participate in the Social Security Program. Rates effective as of 09/01/2024. ()
PERS

Employee Contribution Rate

Employer Contribution Rate

Plan II

5.38%

5.58%

Plan III

Employee Choice

5.58%
(6 available options)
Paid Holidays

On January 1, each employee is eligible for 10 paid holidays per year as outlined below. Employees hired during the year are eligible for any remaining holidays following their start date.
New Year's Day

Independence Day

Martin Luther King Day

Labor Day

President's Day

Thanksgiving Day

Memorial Day

Day after Thanksgiving Day

Juneteenth

Christmas Day
Floating Holiday Hours

On January 1, each employee shall be granted forty (40) floating holidays. Employees hired during the year shall receive prorated floating holiday hours based on their start date. Floating holidays must be used by year-end or will be forfeited.
Vacation Time

Employees will accrue vacation time based on years of service outlined in the schedule below. As of December 31st, no employee shall have an accumulated amount of vacation leave in excess of 240 hours. Employees may elect to cash out up to forty (40) hours of vacation time each year, provided the employee has taken forty (40) hours of vacation during the preceding calendar year.
Vacation Accrual per Month:

0 - 15 years

13.33 hours

16+ years

16.67 hours
Sick Leave

All full-time employees earn 8 hours of sick leave per month to a maximum accrual of 960 hours. The City also offers a Sick Leave Cash-out policy of 25% of hours over 960 at year-end, and a Sick Leave Conversion policy as outlined below:
Sick Leave Balance

Hours Earned Converted to Vacation

480 Hours

1.33 Hours per Month

720 Hours

2.67 Hours per Month

960 Hours

4.00 Hours per Month
Wellness Program
The City has received the AWC WellCity Award since 2014, which provides a 2% reduction in health insurance premiums. The City's Wellness Committee promotes healthy lifestyles, wise consumption of health care services, and mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. This committee sponsors numerous activities to encourage personal and professional health.
Employee Assistance Plan
An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is provided by the City to assist you and family members, providing counseling and treatment in such areas as stress, drug and alcohol abuse, and family counseling.
Safety Statement

In an effort to ensure all employees work safe and go home safe, we expect our employees to comply with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH/WISHA regulations and by the City's Accident Prevention Plan. This includes but is not limited to actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect coworkers and public safety. All employees are expected to lead by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday actions. The City of Walla Walla is committed to providing a work environment that:

1. Is free of all recognized hazards.
2. Promotes safe and healthy tasks and workplaces.
3. Values and encourages worker input in all jobs regarding task/facility enhancements.
4. Is insistent on the full reporting and investigation of all incidents, i.e., injuries/ illnesses, property accidents and all near misses.
5. Is performed by workers and supervisors, who are trained in all operational safety aspects of their jobs, (both mandated by the applicable Washington State requirements and those of the City of Walla Walla's policies and procedures).

Other Benefits Offered (may be subject to waiting periods, testing, or director approval)

• Bilingual Incentive - 3%
• Aflac Insurance
• YMCA Membership - Corporate Discount
• Direct Deposit (payday the 3rd working day following the last day of the month)

Salary schedules and the City's Personnel Policy Manual can be found at the following links:
01

Do you have a Bachelor's degree or higher in business administration, accounting, finance, or closely related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have experience managing or supervising staff?

• Yes
• No

Required Question