Controller

Job Summary/Scope

Wilson is a city of around 50,000 people located in the heart of eastern North Carolina. We are about an hour from the Research Triangle and the buzz of the Raleigh area, and you can also quickly reach the North Carolina beaches.

The City of Wilson is known for innovation and outstanding service. We have top-rated, nationally accredited police, fire and recreation departments. Our parks and sports facilities are among the best in the nation, and our Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park is a unique and beautiful attraction that hosts concerts, farmers markets and the N.C. Whirligig Festival among other events. We are in the process of building a downtown field to host a Milwaukee Brewers’ minor league team starting in 2026.

Wilson has the strongest manufacturing base in our part of the state, including tire manufacturing, pharmaceutical and other industries. The Greenlight citywide broadband services help technology-based companies flourish.

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a best-in-class benefits package that brings additional value to your total compensation. To learn more about our benefits package, click on the ‘Benefits’ tab above.

The hiring range for this position is $94,635.28 (minimum salary) to $130,327.17 (midpoint of range) dependent upon qualifications.The primary function of this position is to ensure excellence in all accounting and financial reporting operations. The position provides comprehensive support and management of financial processes and procedures for cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, debt management, payroll, and internal audit functions. This position is responsible for the preparation and timely output of financial reports including the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and coordination of external auditors.

Job Responsibilities

Major Duties

Manages the activities of the accounting division.

Ensures accounting programs and processes meet required and best practice standards.

Provides oversight, direction, and performance management of assigned staff.

Keeps the Chief Financial Officer informed on all aspects of accounting, required updates to meet reporting and compliance requirements, and recommendations for implementation of reporting standards and processes to meet best practice standards.

Provides regular financial information, reporting and guidance to all areas of the city for assigned functional areas.

Applies accounting procedures to assure financial transactions are entered timely, balanced, reconciled, and reported in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Manages the team responsible for the timely preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

Monitors and maintains flow of financial information to the Chief Financial Officer and serves as liaison with other departments and the public.

Oversees the development and is responsible for the timely output of the City's accounting policies and procedures to ensure compliance with City code, professional standards, sound business practices, and federal and state laws and regulations.

Assists in the collection of data for preparation of Bond Issues and coordinates data collection for Bond Rating Agency Surveillance Reviews; manages all other types of debt issuance, payments, and compliance tracking.

Maintains audit contract, LGC requirements, and manages the preparation of audit and supporting information for year-end financial statements.

Exhibits high level of customer focus and professionalism - including strong communication skills, excellent administrative and technical computer skills.

Attends to detail and produces accurate and timely work.

Interprets and implements a variety of financial arrangements, rules, regulations, and statutes.

Ensures the enterprise-wide financial system for assigned functional areas is configured to meet operational needs and contains updates as needed for tax or other statutory requirements.

Handles large volumes of work capably and proficiently, highly self-motivated, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Follows City-wide safety policies and practices and adheres to responsibilities concerning safety prevention.

Handles special projects for the Chief Financial Officer and performs other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibility

3 Senior Accountants

2 Accountants I, II

1 Accounts Receivable Specialist I or II

2 Accounts Payable Specialist I, II

1 Payroll Administrator

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Master's degree and CPA is preferred.

Minimum of ten or more years of relevant work experience which clearly demonstrates the ability to carry out the required responsibilities in a similar setting.

Minimum Qualifications

Prior experience in a related field of governmental accounting is essential.

Advanced knowledge and experience providing management and oversight of financial processes and procedures related to multiple functional areas.

Advanced knowledge of government reporting and skill in interpreting new financial standards and establishing processes to implement new requirements or concepts.

Demonstrated experience planning, preparing, and/or reviewing financial statements and note disclosures.

Experience with financial management in a complex governmental or similar agency setting.

Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex financial processes and managing deadline sensitive tasks.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate with departmental staff and external auditors.

Demonstrated experience multi-tasking and prioritizing competing financial deadlines.

Excellent time management skills.

Experience providing supervision in the assigned functions.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The work is sedentary, typically performed in an office while sitting at a desk.

Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to lift up to 20 pounds and to sit and work at a computer for an extended period of time.