Are you looking for your dream job? Looking for a place where your strengths and passions are valued? A place where your municipal accounting experience is treasured. Do you appreciate a work-life balance and enjoy being a part of the community where you live and work in?

Look no further, the City of Sugar Land is looking for an experienced strategic accounting leader and our next Controller. The Controller is responsible for all Accounting Division activities of the City including financial reporting, general ledger activities, accounts payable, fixed assets, payroll and internal controls systems. Essentially responsible for supporting activities for the annual audit and ACFR report.  Works as a peer with the Controller supervising and directing professional accounting and clerical personnel engaged in governmental accounting activities for all city programs.  Ensures compliance with and reporting for Federal regulations on City bond issues and payroll.  Documents, develops, and recommends policies and procedures to ensure compliance with accounting and financial practices in accordance with GAAP and GASB.

Why Should You Join Our Team? 

We are a full-service municipality located approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston that invests in our team and offers real opportunities for career growth. We pay our Controller a competitive salary of $110,000 to $135,000 per year, depending on experience. We also offer great benefits and perks, such as 9 paid holidays plus 3 floating holidays to use at your discretion, generous vacation package that starts to accrue on your first day with no waiting period before use, a robust pension plan with a 2 to 1 match to set you up for a fulfilling retirement, flexible work from home opportunities, a down-to-earth casual environment and dress code, and a positive team-oriented culture. Our full time employees have access to medical, dental, vision, disability, life and other insurance options. If we have your attention… Please. Continue. Reading!

About The City of Sugar Land

The City of Sugar Land, a municipality with a population of 111,026, provides the highest quality of affordable services to meet the needs of its residents. Master-planned communities and welcoming neighborhoods enhance home values and create a sense of belonging. The community offers outstanding schools, libraries, civic organizations, entertainment venues, and other resources that make Sugar Land a great place to work, live and raise a family. Numerous high-profile regional and international corporations have chosen Sugar Land as a corporate home. Sugar Land's aggressive economic development program has created a business-friendly environment, one that includes a variety of incentives, including a corporate aviation facility.

We are proud to have been named one of the Top 50 places to live in the United States by The Press of Atlantic City, as well as the Best Texas cities to raise a family by Dwellics. We hire people based on their potential, not just their experience. We have an informal work environment but are serious about what we do. We believe that happy, talented employees add value to the City. We do our best to hire friendly, professional people who work hard and play well with others. We also promote a healthy work-life balance and personal development.

What You Will Do as a Controller

• Direct, oversee, and participate in the operations of the Accounting Division including general accounting, accounts payable, payroll, and auditing; efficient administration of all City funds.
• Supervise accounting functions and preparation of monthly interim financial statements, ensuring compliance with GAAP and GASB.
• Manage the payroll activities by reviewing and approving disbursement of bi-weekly payroll and ensure IRS compliance.
• Assist in the development, planning and implementation of management and strategic projects by conducting research, performing statistical analysis, and preparing reports for the Controller/Deputy Director of Finance.
• Assist City staff with payroll/accounting related issues and act as a liaison between departments.
• Review and approve month, quarter, year-end payroll reports and ensure all the reports timely filed.
• Assist departments develop codes and processes to recognize groupings and workflows for reporting of grants, special projects, and specific compliance regulation monitoring for the City. 
• Manage staff by participating in hiring process, establishing work schedule(s), performance coaching, providing training, evaluating performance, and making recommendations for promotion, discipline and/or termination.
• Keep all appropriate records, as needed, to maintain compliance with City record retention policies.
• Assists with planning for annual audit, and with preparation of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. 
• Oversee preparation of schedules during interim and year-end financial audit and with special payroll/accounting projects. 
• Have knowledge and oversee payroll financial reporting with IRS, State, FEMA compliance, and Labor FLSA guidelines. 
• Reviews, designs, and develops payroll/financial policies and procedures and guidelines for internal control to minimize financial loss and exposure to risk.  Establish and maintain operating procedures and ensure efficient operations are in compliance with City policy and procedures. Monitors and tests procedures to ensure reasonable internal controls exist and that they comply with policy and procedures; recommends policy and procedure improvements.
• Assist with monthly financial statement preparation, ensuring compliance with GAAP and GASB.
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
• Coordinate schedules, activities, and reports with other departments.
• Oversee General Ledger activities to ensure the General Ledger is reconciled, accurate and up to date.
• Assist with plan for implementation of new GASB and applicable FASB pronouncements.
• Prepare journal entries and/or review and approve entries prepared by others.
• Oversee, analyze, and perform account reconciliations.
• Prepare year end close out and assist with Annual audit and preparation of ACFR.
• Provides technical assistance to and establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departments.
• Performs other duties or assignments as directed Director and/or their designee(s).

This position will be a crucial and valued member of the City and must have experience in accounting principles and practices (GASB), methods applicable to municipal finance, ACFR management, financial reporting, supervising staff on the following: payroll administration, financial planning, and municipal finance operations.  

Formal Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Accounting or Economics.
• Master’s Degree in Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. 
• Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) preferred or obtain within 18 months of employment. 
• Certification as a Certified Public Account (CPA). Preferred

 Relatable Work Experience:

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience managing a municipal financial function required.
• At least three (3) years of Government Fund Accounting, audit (ACFR) and payroll management experience is required.
• At least three (3) years of experience supervising an Accounting team and integrating departments within an organization is required. 
• Professional level payroll/accounting experience with local government strongly preferred. 

 Training (License and/or Certification):

• Texas Class C driver’s license
• CPA preferred but not required. 
• CGFO certification preferred but not required; Ability to achieve certification following employment.

Love being part of a progressive, exciting, and fully inclusive City? Do you know what an ACFR is? If yes, then apply at the City of Sugar Land and see why our culture, employee engagement, and diversity make us one of the best cities to work for!

If interested in this outstanding opportunity, please go to the website for S. Renee Narloch & Associates at www.srnsearch.com and apply online. The position is open until filled; first review of resumes will begin on March 8, 2023.

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above. Screening interviews with the most qualified applicants will be conducted by S. Renée Narloch & Associates to determine a select group of finalist candidates who will be asked to provide references. References will be contacted only following candidate consent. Final interviews will be held with the City. Candidates will be advised of the status of the recruitment following the selection of the Controller. 

Questions regarding this recruitment may be directed to: 

Mr. Elliott Pervinich, Vice President

S. Renée Narloch & Associates

info@srnsearch.com I 850.391.0000

www.SRNSEARCH.com

Pursuant to Texas Open Records laws, applications and resumes are subject to public disclosure. The City of Sugar Land is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce.