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. 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 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.- 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 Cityordinances.
- 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 oversees the City in all fiscal matters, excluding the Utilities Department.
- Administers the investment of surplus City funds and documentation relating to the sale or renegotiation of stocks and bonds.
- Administers the Firefighters’ Pension Fund and serves on the Firefighters’ Pension Board.
- Attends City Council meetings and committee meetings as deemed necessary by the Mayor and other City of Stoughton authorities.
- Serves on the Board of Trustees–Riverside and Wheeler Prairie Cemeteries.
- Provides administrative oversight and reviews the financial activities of duly authorized volunteer organizations.
- Keeps informed of new trends, developments, laws, and regulations that impact the activities of the finance and treasury functions of the City.
Education/Training/Certifications- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Financial Management, Public Administration or related field.
- CPA, master's in accounting, or other related certifications desired.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible supervisory or management position related experience in accounting and financial management, preferably in a government environment serving as a finance director, assistant finance director, or manager. Specialization in municipal accounting may be substituted for municipal accounting/finance experience. The ability to independently initiate analysis and solve a variety of accounting and fiscal issues from both long-term and daily operational perspectives.
- The ability to independently initiate analysis and solve a variety of accounting and fiscal issues from both long-term and daily operational perspectives.
- Significant knowledge of computer programs used in the municipal environment, including experience with automated accounting, financial and billing systems. Advanced user of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint) preferred.
- Experience in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Knowledge of municipal accounting and auditing, including enterprise funds; considerable knowledge of Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS); considerable knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Knowledge of new Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards and ability to implement and maintain records in accordance with such. Familiarity with State and Federal rules and regulations.
- Proven success and experience in teambuilding and collaboration, and experience with effective supervisory/management techniques.
- Understanding of effective customer service principles and techniques.
- Must pass a background check, driver’s license verification, pre-employment physical, and drug screen.
Supervisory Skills- Proven skills and five years of experience in the area of supervision and management, including participative management.
- Ability to supervise the work of departmental staff, including coordinating, assigning, monitoring, and evaluating work; and developing, training, counseling, and disciplining staff.
- Ability to positively motivate employees and create a teamwork-oriented, effective, and efficient work environment.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Mayor, City Council members, department directors, staff, and the public.
Language Skills- Skill in effective, clear, and objective oral and written communications about the City’s finances to individuals and groups.
- Ability to comprehend and interpret a variety of documents, including municipal and business financial statements, invoices, contracts, tax rolls, budget requests and amendments, audits, bank statements, budget documents, service contracts, state statutes, city ordinances, and policies, etc.
- Ability to prepare a variety of documents with clear, comprehensive explanatory narratives to accompany budget documents, financial statements, and fiscal analysis.
- Ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow instructions.
- Ability to use and interpret legal and accounting terminology.
Mathematical Skills- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, calculate decimals and precents, and make use of the principles of descriptive statistics.
- Ability to design and produce graphical representations of complex financial and performance data.
- Ability to prepare accounting and financial data projections.
Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Position Functions- Ability to operate a variety of office equipment.
- Ability to develop manual and computerized financial systems.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office, e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Copilot.
- Advanced skill set – Excel.
Environmental Adaptability- Understanding of the City’s political environment and sensitivities; ability to function effectively within that environment.
- Ability to work effectively in an office environment.
- Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions.
