Controller

This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and minimum qualifications of this job. The incumbent(s) may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this job description. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign job-related responsibilities and tasks to this job at any time. Certain functions are understood to be essential; these include, but are not limited to, attendance, getting along with others, working a full shift, and dealing with and working under stress. Any essential function of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Controller has the role of assisting the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in overseeing the financial operations of Benton Utilities to ensure accurate financial reporting, effective budgeting, and compliance with all regulatory financial statutes/guidelines.

SCOPE OF WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The Controller reports directly to the CFO and indirectly to the General Manager and Public Utility Commission. Under the administrative guidance and direction of the CFO, this position is responsible for all facets of departmental operations and services to include: direct/indirect supervision of personnel, internal/external information dissemination, accounts receivable, accounts payable, billing, and customer service tasks. The incumbent works with the CFO to determine the formulation and execution of broad policies regarding department functions. The incumbent is responsible for compliance with City and Public Utility ordinances/policies and applicable Federal, State, Municipal statutes, guidelines, rules and regulations. This position directly supervises the Accounting Clerk and any other personnel as may be assigned.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

- - Conducts research in operations to verify and obtain information relative to legality, financial impact, and good business practices.

- Tracks and monitors federal and state legislation to advise of proposed legislation affecting utility operations.

- Reviews revenue sources for providing guidance relative to optimizing and maintaining funds.

- Assists CFO develop forecasts and long range plans for financial operations to include purchase power, revenue growth, taxation, borrowing and capital improvement programs; coordinates planning with CFO, General Manager, department heads, consultants, project managers, etc.

- Assists CFO in preparation of annual and multi-year revenue and expenditure estimates for use in budget preparation; develops other budget summaries and schedules; helps in preparation of annual budget document.

- Assists CFO to ensure total budget is compiled and presented to General Manager by established deadlines; present information/reports regarding budget requests and revenue estimates as required.

- Confer with and advises CFO, General Manager, Commissioners, and department heads regarding fiscal operations, budget administration and fiscal aspects of contracts.

- Assists CFO to prepare and interpret interim financial reports, cost analysis and statistical data for General Manager and Commission.

- Assists CFO in managing investment portfolio and debt management; ensure cash is adequately collateralized as required.

- Assists CFO to develop, implement, and monitor internal procedures for receipt of funds or property; petty cash oversight, and expenditures for all departments and funds; audits procedures on a regular basis in order to ensure all transactions are performed under established protocol and can pass any outside examination or inspection.

- Assists CFO in procurement of property/casualty insurance through bid process and manages or oversees administrative functions of all property/casualty claims.

- Assists CFO to develop and implement policies/procedures for general accounting, accounts receivable accounts payable, procurement policies, bad debts, etc.

- Assists CFO to direct and participate in review of all financial transactions and monitors expenditures of appropriated funds; ensures compliance with standard accounting systems and fiscal procedures (internal audits).

- Assists CFO to oversee maintenance of comprehensive filing system for broad array of administrative matters to include vendor contracts, governmental agency(s) reports, internal/external correspondence and other information as necessary/required.

- Participates in studies for the purpose of establishing rates for services.

- In the absence of the CFO, the controller will assume all duties and responsibilities of the CFO.

- Perform other duties as necessary and/or required.

- Limited travel may be required by the CFO, General Manager, or Public Utility Commission.

GUIDANCE:

The Controller seeks direction and guidance from the CFO, General Manager, and Public Utility Commission, and is also guided by City ordinances and policies, as well as applicable Federal, State, Municipal statutes, rules and regulations in addition to public administration accounting principles/practices.

CHALLENGES:

The challenges for this position are: 1) to remain current and informed on financial and utility updates, City ordinances/policies, and related Federal, State, Municipal statutes, rules and regulations; 2) to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with internal and external customers; 3) to effectively disseminate information both internal and external; 4) to ensure department services/operations are conducted in a professional, effective and efficient manner; 5) to prioritize and delegate workflow appropriately; 6) to identify and secure necessary resources to accomplish departmental goals and objectives; 7) to foster a quality work environment by building employee trust and confidence.

INTERFACES:

The Controller’s principal internal contacts are primarily to include CFO, General Manager, Public Utility Commission members, department heads, managers, and supervisors, exempt and nonexempt employees.

The Controller’s principal contacts external to the department and/or city government include citizens, accountants, auditors, vendors, contractors, engineers, and consultants.

PLANNING

Considerable responsibility with regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner, and/or sequence of performance of own work, in addition, the work operations of a group of employees, all performing basically the same type of work.

DECISION MAKING

Performs work operations which permit frequent opportunity for decision-making of minor importance and also frequent opportunity for decision-making of major importance, either of which would affect the work operations of small organizational component and the organization's clientele.

MENTAL DEMAND

Very close mental demand. Operations requiring very close and continuous attention for control of operations which require a high degree of coordination or immediate response. Operations requiring intermittent direct thinking to determine or select the most applicable way of handling situations regarding the organization's administration and operations; also to determine or select material and equipment where highly variable sequences are involved.

ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING

Moderately directed. Activities covered by wide-ranging policies and courses of action, and generally directed as to execution and review. High order of analytical, interpretative, and/or constructive thinking in varied situations.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUNDS, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT: $100,000,000 +

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from four-year college or university required; CPA or CMA preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

WORKING CONDITIONS

Periodically exposed to such elements as noise, intermittent standing, walking, occasionally pushing, carrying, or lifting; but none are present to the extent of being disagreeable.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is exposed to indoor office conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be me by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

Moderate diversity, low physical. Work activities which allow for a moderate amount of diversity in the performance of tasks are not as varied as those positions with high-level diversity and decision-making.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear; and frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste or smell. The employee musth occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and ability to adjust focus.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Must maintain a personal telephone and carry a company-provided cell phone.

Safety Sensitive Position: This position has been deemed a Safety Sensitive position and any person performing duties in this position while under the influence of marijuana or any other substance (legal or illegal) that could impair the employee may constitute a threat to health and safety. Benton Utilities maintains a zero tolerance for the use of any substance that may impair a Safey Sensitive individual. Consequences of a violation can be found in the Benton Utilities Employee Manual.