Controller, Finance & Banking, Financial Manager

Job Overview

Job Title: Controller

Department: Finance

Classification: Exempt

Hiring Range: $130,645 annually – $146,994 annually

Salary Range: $130,645 annually – 195,998 annually

Location: Aspen, Colorado

The Controller serves as the City of Aspen's senior accounting and financial reporting professional, responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and transparency of the City's financial records and reporting. Reporting to the Finance Director, the Controller leads the City's accounting, payroll, and financial reporting functions, oversees internal controls and compliance, coordinates the annual audit and ACFR, and supports enterprise-wide financial systems and process improvements.

This position plays a critical leadership role in advancing best practices in governmental accounting, strengthening internal controls, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement consistent with the City's organizational values.

Position works under the general direction of the Finance Director and exercises direct supervision over the Accounting Manager and Accountants.

• Financial Accounting and Reporting: Directs and oversees the timely and accurate recording of all City financial transactions in accordance with GAAP, GASB standards, applicable laws, and City policies.
• Oversees preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), including coordinating schedules, reviewing work papers, and ensuring compliance with all reporting requirements.
• Plans, coordinates, and serves as the primary liaison for the City's external financial audit, including audits of related and component entities.
• Reviews and approves journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statements to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Researches and implements new or revised accounting standards, ensures timely and effective adoption across the organization.

• Internal Controls, Compliance &
  
  Risk Management:
  
  Establishes, maintains, and evaluates internal controls, accounting policies, and fiscal procedures to safeguard City assets and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Conducts reviews of existing programs and systems. Recommends and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency.
• Supports enterprise risk management efforts related to financial operating and reporting.

• Treasury, Payroll & Operations: Oversees core accounting functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and general ledger operations.
• Ensures proper integration of subsidiary systems and modules into the City's fiscal management system.
• Supports cash management, banking relationships, and debt-related accounting in coordination with the Finance Director.

• Financial Systems and Technology: Serves as subject-matter expert for the City's financial enterprise system (Oracle Fusion).
• Oversees accounting system configuration, chart of accounts integrity, and data accuracy.
• Leads or supports system implementations, upgrades, and enhancements. Develops and delivers training for finance staff and system users citywide.

• Leadership & Supervision: Provides leadership, supervision, and mentorship to assigned staff, including hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and professional development.
• Fosters a collaborative, high-performing team environment grounded in accountability, trust, and continuous improvement.
• Supports the Finance Director in departmental-wide leadership initiatives and cross-functional collaboration with other City departments.

• Strategic & Organizational Support: Partners with Finance Director and senior leadership to support strategic financial initiatives and organizational priorities.
• Provides technical accounting guidance to departments and external stakeholders.
• Models and reinforces the City of Aspen's organizational values in daily work and decision-making.

• City Organizational Values: Supports and models the City of Aspen organizational values:
  Service, Partnership, Stewardship, and Innovation. Organizational values are shared principles that guide behavior across the organization. This position is responsible for upholding and applying these values while performing daily work functions.

Other duties as assigned.

• Service: Provides service with excellence, humility, integrity, and respect in daily work, builds trust by listening, treats people with respect, acknowledges opportunities for improvement, and follows through with commitments.
• Partnership: Actively creates strong, supportive internal and external relationships to attain a common goal and achieve greater impact together.
• Stewardship: Balances social, environmental, and financial responsibilities, evaluating the impact of decision making on a thriving future for all.
• Innovation: Develops technical expertise to pursue new ideas and creative outcomes, grounded in Aspen's…