MANAGER OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES

CITY OF ROANOKE, VIRGINIA

THE CITY OF ROANOKE

This is truly an outstanding opportunity to live and work in a high-caliber community. Roanoke was recently named one of America’s "most liveable" small cities by Partners for Livable Communities and has been named an All-America City five times.

The first pioneers explored the Roanoke Valley in the early 17^th century. An exploration party’s report in 1671 told of the "blue mountains and a snug, flat valley beside the upper Roanoke River." As the land to the east became developed, people moved into the western regions of Virginia and began farming the Roanoke Valley by 1740.

With a current population of nearly 94,000 people, Roanoke covers a land area of 43 square miles. It is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia west of Richmond. Roanoke is located at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley, approximately 189 miles west of Richmond and 234 miles west of Washington, D.C. This places Roanoke within 500 miles of nearly two-thirds of the total population of the United States.

Lying at the crossroads of the region’s major rail and highway systems, Roanoke serves as the principal trade, industrial, transportation, medical, and cultural center of western Virginia. Air passengers and freight are handled by the Roanoke Regional Airport.

Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke is a thriving 21^st century community. Roanoke’s leaders have taken an innovative approach to economic development by employing assets such as arts and cultural resources, creative financing strategies, cross-country partnerships, and collaborative leadership to revitalize the downtown and improve the city’s quality of life.

From apartments to upscale, single-family homes, housing choices are plentiful and housing costs are below state and national averages. Roanoke’s neighborhoods are vibrant, sustainable places for people of all ages, ethnicity, lifestyles, and income to live, work, and play.

Education is an important issue for the local citizens. Roanoke has good public schools with low teacher/pupil ratios and many private and parochial schools from which to choose. For post- secondary education, there are over a dozen colleges and universities within a 50 mile radius of Roanoke.

The City offers a variety of cultural experiences including music, ballet, theater, museums, and historical sites. For the outdoor enthusiast, Roanoke offers stunning natural beauty and exceptional amenities, including golf courses, beautiful state parks, white water rafting, hiking, and fishing.

Chartered in 1882, the City of Roanoke operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The City Council, which formulates policies for the administration of the City, is the governing body and is made up of seven members elected on an at-large basis to serve four-year staggered terms. Officers of the City Council are the Mayor, elected directly by the voters to a four-year term, and a Vice-Mayor who is selected on the basis of the highest popular vote in council elections. The Vice-Mayor serves a two-year term.

The Council appoints the City Manager to serve as the City’s chief administrative officer. The Council also appoints the Director of Finance, the City Attorney, the City Clerk, and the Municipal Auditor, each of whom reports directly to the City Council.

Roanoke is a full-service city which provides such services as general administration, emergency services, public works, recreational activities, judicial functions, health and welfare activities, and community development activities. The City also provides services through multi-jurisdictional efforts such as the newly established Western Virginia Water Authority and the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority, a regional solid waste facility.

In addition, the City participates in such commissions as the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center Commission, the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Commission, and the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission.

The adopted City budget for FY 2004-2005 totals $211.8 million.

The City of Roanoke is seeking a Manager of Accounting Services. This is the third highest position in the Finance Department and it oversees the City’s central accounting and payroll systems. The Manager of Accounting Services supervises a staff of about 14 in accounting, accounts payable, and payroll functions. The Manager establishes and oversees financial and accounting policies and serves as Deputy Director and/or Director of Finance in their absence. This position reports to the Deputy Director of Finance.

The Manager of Accounting Services must have a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university with a major in accounting; five to ten years related experience and/or training in accounting for a governmental operation and supervisory experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. A Certified Public Accountant is required.

In addition, the City is looking for a Manager who is: