Comptroller

City of Bay Saint Louis Job Description

JOB TITLE

C omptroller

DEPARTMENT

Administrative

REPORTS TO

Chief Administrative Officer

SUPERVISES

Finance Department

APPROVED BY MAYOR

January 1, 2026 ______________________________________________________________________________

POSITION SUMMARY

The Comptroller serves as a deputy city clerk and is responsible for the operation of the finance department and overseeing all financial aspects of the City of Bay St. Louis. This is an administrative and professional position that is responsible for all budget, fiscal, accounting, auditing, and revenue administration activities for the City. This position has considerable independence in developing and effecting improved work methods and financial procedures. The Comptroller is responsible for the preparation of the annual financial audit, annual budget, financial statements, tax collections, payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash management, bank reconciliation, bonds and lease purchase financing, purchase order system, documentation, grant management, and internal controls. In addition, the Comptroller is responsible for overseeing the municipal elections and voter registration for the City in coordination with the Chief Administration Officer, who serves as City Clerk.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees the daily operations of the Finance Department
• Responsible for the planning and organizing of all phases of the City's municipal accounting and budget activities
• Facilitate the annual financial audit with the firm hired by the City Council and provide all necessary documents in a timely manner
• Manage the financial policies and procedures manual and recommend changes to the mayor as needed
• Work with department heads, Chief Administrative Officer and Mayor to develop budget proposals to the City Council
• Facilitate the required process for budget approval and tax levy as required by State law
• Ensures the city council clerk has completed proper advertisements for the budget process
• Prepares the payroll ordinance and updates it as necessary for city council approval
• Prepare transfers request for city council approval to authorize transfers or loans between funds
• Prepares a monthly cash report for city council after bank reconciliation is completed
• Oversee the daily bank deposits
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliation for all bank accounts
• Prepare monthly financial statements and submits to the city council for approval
• Writes justifications for overrun or underrun of budget estimates
• Maintains the chart of accounts for the city
• Process general ledger transactions as needed for the City's financial statements
• Ensure all taxes and other revenues are received by the City and recorded properly in the financial software
• Manage the financial software for the City
• Review the cash balance report, gaming report, and sales tax report
• Tabulates statistical data for presentation in miscellaneous budget reports
• Prepare and maintain budget and accounting records, reports, and files including grant accounting, bank statements, reports analysis, general ledger transactions, analysis, and forms.
• Perform internal audits of the general ledger and subsidiary ledgers to ensure correctness of procedures and accuracy of record-keeping and makes adjustments as necessary
• Prepare budget amendments as needed in coordination with the Mayor
• Supervise the accounts payable clerk to ensure the docket of claims in presented for approval on city council meetings
• Supervise the Finance and Payroll Administrator in processing payroll, including providing approval prior to submission for direct deposit and reconciling employee insurance and benefits
• Supervise the purchase order system for the City and ensure that all departments are using the purchase order system according to policies and procedures
• Supervise the construction in progress accounts and asset inventory for the City
• Ensures that monthly grant reimbursement requests are submitted and received
• Ensure documents are retained electronically and/or in paper format according to the MS State requirements
• Coordinates with the Hancock County Circuit Clerk for running the municipal elections
• Directs/coordinates election activities, including voter registration
• Recruitment of poll workers as needed
• Processing of candidates running for office
• Preparation of election forms for printing, absentee voting, distribution of election supplies, conducting of elections, preparation/submission of election reports, and maintenance of records
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Education Education:

Bachelor's degree (B.A.) Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field. Experience (yrs.): Three (3) years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certifications:

• Valid driver's license, required
• Licensed CPA, preferred but not required
• Deputy City Clerk Certification, preferred Substitutions Allowed for

Education:

Deputy City Clerk Certification Substitutions Allowed for

Experience:

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the principals and practices of governmental accounting, auditing, budgeting, and financial administration and management
• Knowledge of statutory law, city codes, and ordinances
• Knowledge of municipal election laws
• Knowledge of utilities laws, ordinances, policies and procedures
• Skilled in creating accurate financial statements
• Ability to reconcile general ledgers; process orders for accounts payable and reconcile bank statements; and process payroll
• Ability to prioritize and plan work activities in an efficient and effective manner
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Oral and written communication skills
• Ability to balance multiple projects, tasks, or deadlines
• Ability to interpret, apply, and explain rules to administration, supervisors, and employees
• Ability to write clear, concise reports
• Knowledge of modern accounting and office procedures and equipment, including application of electronic data processing to the preparation, maintenance and analysis of financial data
• Thorough knowledge of modern practices, procedures, equipment, and standard clerical techniques
• Skill in operating a computer, calculator, telephone, copier, and fax machine
• Ability to keep complex clerical records, to assemble and organize data, and to prepare reports from such records
• Ability to establishment and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to work Monday through Friday (8:00am to 5:00pm) and after hours and/or weekends for special events and for state of emergency events

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

Data Utilization :

Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.

Human Interaction :

Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.

Language Skills :

Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence and memos. Ability to write correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations to customers and employees.

Mathematical Aptitude :

Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning :

Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning :

Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

Computer Skills :

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of the Property tax Collections Program, Database and word Processing software.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability :

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.

Sensory Requirements :

Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors :

Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions. The above essential duties are representative of major duties of positions in this position. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job. Not all of the duties may be assigned to a position. The City of Bay Saint Louis, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Pay:

$68,893.09 - $82,968.02 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid sick time Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person