Government Finance Specialist

The Vermont League of Cities and Towns, a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that exists to serve and strengthen local government, seeks an experienced municipal finance practitioner to help teach Vermont’s cities, towns and villages how to be more resilient by following the best practices of municipal finance management. The ideal candidate will enjoy working directly with municipal treasurers, legislative body members, managers, administrators, and finance staff to teach and mentor them.

Some of the projects you’ll immediately start working on include developing an introductory level municipal finance education curriculum and delivering that curriculum to municipal officials. VLCT anticipates receiving funding aimed at building capacity in municipalities by strengthening municipal finance, operations and management capabilities to ensure more municipalities have the ability to respond to future disasters.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in accounting, business or public administration and eight to ten years of financial management, including three to five years’ experience with municipal governmental accounting.

VLCT offers a competitive salary (anticipated range is $75,000 - $90,000 depending on experience) and an extensive benefit package, which includes participation in the VMERS retirement system, a 401(a), employer paid health insurance and dental premiums, generous vacation, sick and holiday time, flexible work schedules and remote work opportunities (within Vermont).

Application deadline is Friday, May 3. Applicants will be reviewed as they are received. Position is open until filled. EOE

Nature and Scope of Position

This is a professional position that provides municipal finance assistance, education, and training to local government officials through VLCT’s Finance, Operations and Management Assistance Program.

The Government Finance Specialist assists local officials (elected, appointed and staff) with the discharge of their official duties, primarily in the areas of budget, finance, taxation, and compliance with federal and state grant requirements. This position will provide general municipal finance assistance including responding to member inquiries, drafting and reviewing guidance documents and policy templates, developing and delivering an introductory level municipal finance education curriculum, creating and delivering timely and relevant trainings outside of the curriculum to build financial fluency, and writing content for VLCT News, Journal and other publications on timely municipal finance recommendations and updates.

In addition to core municipal finance assistance responsibilities, this position will work collaboratively and cooperatively with other core teams including VLCT’s Municipal Assistance Center legal team and Intergovernmental Relations team to provide opinions on legislative policy areas affecting government finance.

The position reports to the Director of the Finance, Operations and Management Assistance Program.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Government Finance Specialist include but are not limited to:

• Develop and implement an introductory level municipal finance education curriculum designed to build basic knowledge as well as advance knowledge to assist local officials (elected, appointed and staff) with the discharge of their official duties, primarily in the areas of budget, finance, taxation, and compliance with federal and state grant requirements.
• Develop and deliver trainings on a variety of timely and relevant financial management topics including but not limited to cash management, budgeting, payroll management, basic governmental accounting, grant management, treasurers’ responsibilities, internal control systems, state and federal auditing requirements and best practices, fiscal years and any other financial issues.
• Respond to questions regarding financial matters from officials of member municipalities and log them into tracking databases.
• Develop model documents and templates to assist members with finance related topics.
• Collaborate with Vermont Emergency Management to develop ready-to-use tools that help municipalities financially manage projects related to Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance eligible work.
• Create, review and update model financial policies and guidance to comply with current Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), as well as nationally recognized professional standards and best practices. Consult with MAC attorneys to determine applicability of Vermont law.
• Develop content and resource documents for VLCT’s website and print publications on relevant municipal finance topics.
• Participate in external seminars, workshops, and training programs as a speaker, upon request, with the approval of the Director.
• Communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with other VLCT staff on education, training, publications and inquiries as needed.
• Stay apprised of authoritative accounting principles, auditing standards, statutory budget procedures and case law affecting municipal finance generally and VT local government finance specifically.
• Partner with the Intergovernmental Relations and MAC teams to identify opportunities in Vermont law for improvements, clarifications and/or new legislation on the topic of municipal finance to benefit VLCT’s members.
• Provide professional development to VLCT staff relative to developments in municipal finances, as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with municipal government finance organizations, including but not limited to the Vermont Government Finance Officers Association and the Vermont Municipal Clerks’ and Treasurers’ Association and Vermont Town and City Management Association,
• Any other duties as determined by the Director, Finance, Operations and Management Assistance Program.

• Knowledge of:

• Governmental accounting and the current principles and practices of public finance, budgeting, and accounting such as GAAP and GASB
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Special requirements pertaining to accounting for and investment of governmental funds.
• Governmental auditing procedures.
• Relevant federal and state laws, town ordinances, and policies and procedures.
• Federal and state grant awards as they relate to government finance.

• Ability and/or expertise to:

• Read, interpret, and analyze spreadsheets, statistical reports, and financial statements.
• Communicate clearly, effectively, and directly, both orally and in writing.
• Solve problems employing critical, analytical, strategic thinking.
• Speak publicly both virtually and in person.
• Self-motivate and self-direct work.
• Work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Effectively and efficiently manage time and resources.
• Possess a strong desire to optimize efficiency in processes and practices.
• Deliver excellent customer service.
• Embrace VLCT’s mission and uphold this mission with its membership.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid driver’s license in good standing.

Education, Training and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or public administration or comparable area required; master’s degree in accounting or CPA not required but is preferred.
• Eight to ten years of financial management required, of which three to five years must be in governmental accounting; experience working for a Vermont municipality is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with expert level skills in Excel.
• Knowledge of and experience in using New England Municipal Resource Center software preferred, but not required.

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