Director of Finance/Comptroller

The City of Stoughton, an Equal Opportunity Employer, is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Director of Finance / Comptroller. Stoughton, Wisconsin, is a welcoming, vibrant community just 20 minutes south of Madison, known for its rich Norwegian heritage, historic downtown, and strong sense of local pride. As a financially sound and steadily growing city, Stoughton offers stability and confidence for those looking to build their careers in public service. This exempt position also places a strong emphasis on work–life balance, offering flexible hours and scheduling options to help support both your professional success and personal well-being . With beautiful parks, year-round community events, and a thriving arts and culture scene, Stoughton blends small-town charm with big-city access—making it a great place to work, live, and make a meaningful impact. The purpose of this position is to supervise, direct, and be responsible for the overall accounting and coordination of the financial activities of all City departments, serving as comptroller with duties as outlined in 62.09(10) Wis. Statutes and City ordinances. This position provides high-level financial oversight of the City’s accounting activities; supports the Mayor, City Council, and City departments in budgeting, financial management, and reporting; and presents fiscal issues and recommendations to guide strategic policy decisions that maintain and enhance the City’s financial health. The position also performs administrative functions delegated by the Mayor and City Council that do not conflict with core responsibilities or compromise the required segregation of duties. In addition, this role oversees the financial management, reporting, compliance, and long-term planning associated with the City’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Tax Increment Districts (TIDs), ensuring accurate tracking, forecasting, and statutory compliance. This position does not include any Utilities Finance management duties. Our full-time employees enjoy an outstanding benefits package designed to support their health, financial security, and overall well-being. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance with low employee premiums, dental insurance with zero employee premiums, next-day coverage upon hire, and access to flexible spending options. Employees also participate in the highly regarded Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) , one of the strongest public pension programs in the country. Additional benefits include group life insurance, income continuation coverage, paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave, longevity pay, and free membership to Anytime Fitness. A variety of optional supplemental insurance plans are also available at group rates. Together, these benefits provide a strong foundation for long-term stability, work–life balance, and support for you and your family. THIS POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED. Directs, coordinates, and supervises the Finance Department staff regarding the financial and accounting activities of the City of Stoughton. Directs the preparation of the annual City budget, including advising the Mayor, City Council, and City department directors in the review of estimates and the preparation of individual departmental budget requests. Reviews and oversees the annual City audits and submits all required regulatory/statutory reports. Reviews, directs, coordinates, and supervises Special Assessments. Review tax roll, special charges, delinquencies, and assessments. Review tax roll prior to submission to the County Treasurer. Oversees the preparation of Statement of Taxes, Levy Limit worksheets, and Expenditure Restraint reporting. PerformsComptrollerfunctionsasrequiredbyStateStatutes62.09(10) and City ordinances. The comptroller shall submit a monthly report in writing to the council at its first meeting the condition of outstanding contracts and of each of the city funds and claims payable therefrom, and shall each year on or before October first file with the clerk a detailed statement of the receipts and disbursements on account of each fund of the city and of eachaldermanicdistrictorotherfinancialdistrictduringtheprecedingfiscalyear, specifying the source of each receipt and the object of each disbursement, and also an estimate of the receipts and disbursements for the current fiscal year. The comptrollers shall, each month and as often as reported, examine the treasurer's accounts as reported and as kept and attach thereto a report to the council as to their correctness and as to any violation by the treasurer of the treasurer's duty in the manner of keeping accounts or disbursing moneys. The comptrollers shall examine each claim presented against the city, and determine whether it is in order, and if it is on contract, whether authorized and correct. For these purposes, the comptroller may swear witnesses and take testimony. If the comptroller finds no objection, the comptroller shall mark his or her approval on the claim. If the comptroller disapproves in whole or in part, the comptroller shall report the reasons for that disapproval to the council. The comptrollers shall, in all cases, report evidence taken. No claim shall be considered by the council or be referred to a committee until it has been so examined and reported on. The comptroller shall countersign all contracts with the city if the necessary funds have been provided to pay the liability that may be incurred thereunder, and no contract shall be valid until so countersigned. The comptrollers shall, each year, make a list of all certificates for the payment of which special taxes are to be levied, in time for the same to be inserted in the tax roll and certify its correctness. Maintains an accounting system for the City government and its agencies in a manner consistent with established and accepted municipal accounting principles and procedures, and in sufficient detail to produce adequate cost, financial, and statistical data for City and department management purposes and to meet statutory requirements. Directs, coordinates, and supervises processing of accounts payable and accounts receivable, auditing of purchase orders, receipts, and disbursements, reconciling accounting records with various departments, and allocating payments to various accounts. Functions as a resource and support to enhance the department’s financial management capacity. Maintains a system of budgetary control to ensure that expenditure does not exceed appropriations, and that sufficient revenues are available to meet anticipated needs. Directs the development and update of a Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, a Five-Year Financial/Operating Budget Forecast, and accompanying financing plans. Provides the Mayor, City Council, and Finance Committee with timely and informative financial reports, statements, financial analysis, and fiscal projections on major issues requiring policy direction. Analyzes City debt structure and prepares recommendations for restructuring thereof; advises the Mayor and Finance Committee regarding debt management. Coordinates a variety of special administrative projects, as assigned, which include but are not limited to the negotiation of contracts, leases, purchases, land acquisitions, and others of a similar nature. Proposes recommendations to streamline and consolidate budget and accounting functions in a continuous improvement effort. Coordinates activities of City Assessor contract compliance. Administers the CDBG–Community Development Block Grant program. Represents and o