Finance and Budget Manager

The Community Assisted Response & Engagement Department (CARE) is seeking an innovative and strategic Finance and Budget Manager. Under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer, this position leads department Budget, Accounting, and Payroll functions.

The Finance and Budget Manager (Manager 2) coordinates development of CARE’s annual budget of more than $70 million; monitors and evaluates financial performance; advises CARE division on budgetary matters; establishes and manages budget processes and systems.

The role collaborates with various CARE leadership and staff across City departments to resolve financial and budget issues, identify areas of opportunity and risk to various stakeholders, and ensure consistent budget management. This position also serves as the department’s primary liaison with the City Budget Office and regularly briefs City Council staff on CARE financial matters.

The Manager directly supervises a team of three professional staff and supports the execution of CARE’s finance work program. CARE manages multiple funding sources with varying financial requirements, making this a hands-on leadership position for someone who enjoys problem solving, supporting departmental goals, and driving continuous improvement.

If you’re motivated by public service, collaborative work environments, and a fast-evolving public safety department, please apply!

Here is more about this role’s main priorities

• Oversees and monitors key accounting functions including: fund accounting, grants accounting, revenue accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cost accounting operations, and staffing.
• Oversee and monitor the full budget cycle for CARE.
• Oversee and assist with grants administration including applications, tracking, expense coding, reporting, audits, and close out.
• Provides professional consultation, analysis, and interpretation of financial data for use in management and policy decisions.
• Oversee bi-weekly payroll for approximately 250 CARE employees while adhering to strict deadlines and conducting internal audits of labor charges for compliance with personnel policies and respective bargaining agreements.
• Ensure maintenance of all payroll data, ensuring the highest level of accuracy and confidentiality, and takes ownership for the effective operation of all payroll aspects.
• Provides clarification to employees and managers about paychecks, timesheets, coding, payroll policies, and procedures. Interprets and apply terms and conditions of collective bargaining agreements and City Personnel Rules.
• Prepares analytical labor and ad-hoc reports for supervisors and managers.
• Oversees leaves and donations requests to ensure data is uploaded for each payroll transaction.
• Oversees expense processing for staff and ensures accurate record keeping and timely reimbursements.
• Supports the preparation, analysis, review and publication of the City's financial reporting.
• Ensure accounts payable transactions are processed in compliance with City purchasing rules, policies and procedures, applicable accounting standards, federal, state and city laws, and applicable grant and contract terms.
• Coordinates consultant contracts and other complicated invoices to ensure accuracy and timely payment.
• Administers CARE’s commercial credit card process.
• Responsible for overseeing monthly and fiscal year-end closing processes, including journal entries, inter-fund transfers, reconciliations, accruals, and reviewing/reconciling assigned accounts and funds.
• Reviews, and supports internal accounting controls policies, procedures, and practices while ensuring compliance.
• Documents accounting policies and procedures, including creation of desk manuals in accordance with best practices. Assists with process improvement projects.
• Prepares supporting work papers and other documents to assist with financial audits.
• Supports department goals in promoting diversity and social justice.
• Other duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field (requires satisfactory completion of at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credit units in accounting with no substitution allowed) and/or professional certification as a CPA, plus four years professional experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, or related work (or a combination of education, training, and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

• Successful candidates must pass an FBI Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprinted background check to be employed by the department.*

You will be prepared for this role if you have the following experience, skills, and capabilities:

• Three (3) years of experience supervising accounting operations and two (2) years of experience in HR, Payroll, Benefits, Retirement, or labor relations.
• Extensive knowledge of budget, accounting, payroll, and financial reporting systems such as PeopleSoft financial system, Workday, or other enterprise financial systems.
• Extensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and governmental accounting standards. Ability to work at a fast pace while maintaining excellent accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent supervisory and managerial skills including experience supervising represented staff. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to take initiative in detecting and anticipating problems, develop solutions and use sound judgment.
• Excellent organization skills, ability to respond to unanticipated requests, prioritize tasks, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.
• Experience with developing and documenting accounting processes and procedures. Performs operational audits and reviews internal controls; recommends and advises management regarding need for improved accounting controls; and analyzes impacts of accounting changes on department's financial statement.

Additional Information

• Your effectiveness in this role will depend on your ability to:
• Respect an individual’s lived experience and reflect a deep understanding of race, social justice, and equity in your interactions and work.
• Be passionate about serving the community and championing underserved and underrepresented vulnerable populations in your work.
• Stay informed and knowledgeable about evolving changes and trends as it relates to public safety to ensure relevancy and accuracy when reporting information to the community.
• Commitment to teamwork and coordinating varying perspectives while working with diverse stakeholders to identify collaborative solutions.

Work Environment / Physical Demands

• Work is usually performed in an office environment.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is a Civil Service protected position and is part of the City of Seattle Manager and Strategic Advisor pay program.

The full salary range for this position is $118,118.16 to $177,229.44. The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. Employees also could participate in a defined benefits retirement program.

More information about benefits can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

• Completed NEOGOV online application.
• Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
• Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.

Background Check Requirements: Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information. Employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and successful outcome of the background investigation.

Race and Social Justice Initiative: The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same.

To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

Who may apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy.

The CARE encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.