Chief Financial Officer
City of Westminster, Colorado
2025 Pay Range: $194,820 - $243,525
Anticipated Hiring Range: $206,996 - $231,348 based on experiance and qualifications
Job Posting: December 23 and will remain open until filled. First review by Janurary 31, 2025
The City of Westminster, Colorado is currently seeking the next Chief Financial Officer. Come see why the City of Westminster is where you want to be!
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THE OPPERTUNITY
The City of Westminster seeks a dynamic City Leader to help guide the City’s future directions and ensure its long-term financial sustainability.
The Finance Director/Chief Financial Officer is a City Leader who serves as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team translating City Council’s strategic plan into action through development of policies, leadership innovation, and resource allocation and management. The position directs the award winning Finance Department’s activities in fulfillment of the City’s Mission Statement, Vision and Values.
The City’s work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster’s Vision is to be a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community and belonging.
City values are articulated through the acronym of SPIRIT which defines “how” we work creating a culture of SERVICE, PEOPLE, INTEGRITY, RESPECT, INNOVATION AND TEAMWORK.
This exciting CFO opportunity has become available at Westminster because the hiring manager and incumbent CFO, Mr. Larry Dorr, CPA is continuing on with Westminster focusing on a role solely as Deputy City Manager. Mr. Dorr has served as Westminster’s CFO for 5 years and was a financial Gubernatorial Committee member, Colorado GFOA President, and Finance Officer of the Year. The City’s next CFO will be confirmed by the City Council, pursuant to the City Charter.
THE COMMUNITY
A place where you can thrive.
Centrally located between Denver and Boulder along the US 36 high-tech corridor with a population of 117,000, Westminster is a well-planned, flourishing community with superb recreation opportunities, beautiful neighborhoods, and thriving businesses.
As Westminster continues to grow, the City has maintained more than 30% of its land for open space, parks, and recreation. Westminster is a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive community known for its high quality of life, safe neighborhoods, and beautiful open spaces.
Already known for its majestic views at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Westminster is augmenting its traditional neighborhoods with the thoughtful redevelopment of key communities in the City, including the development of Downtown Westminster—an economic, cultural, and social hub for the community.
There are over 4,000 businesses in Westminster, including small family-owned businesses, service companies, high-tech manufacturers, and national and international headquarters. Companies like Ball Corporation, Maxar, Zimmer Biomet, and Trimble have put down roots in Westminster. This strong and diverse business community attracts more amenities such as local, regional, and national restaurants, hotels, and shopping and entertainment experiences.
Whether by car, bus, bicycle, rail or international airliner, Westminster moves easily. The City has an extensive multimodal transportation network, including an enhanced public transportation system, two well-maintained highway systems, and a superior regional trail system that connects over 145 miles of trails. With the arrival of commuter rail, the transit-oriented Westminster Station area is quickly maturing and adding excellent connectivity to downtown Denver. Add in magnificent retail and entertainment districts and a historic neighborhood that is the true heart of the City, and Westminster has a place for everyone.
Located in both Adams and Jefferson counties, Westminster offers three exceptional public school systems, charter schools, and private schools. Advantages of a Westminster education include low student-teacher ratios, gifted-and-talented programs, International Baccalaureate programs, STEM programs, and challenging curricula and learning opportunities to meet the diverse needs of students. Major universities, colleges, and professional schools in metro Denver and Boulder are served by mass transit and a quick commute from Westminster. Front Range Community College is a premier community-focused college and is centrally located in Westminster, serving students from around the region.
Westminster is more than a unique, vibrant community. It is a home where individuals, families, and businesses thrive.
THE ORGANIZATION
The City of Westminster has a Council-Manager form of government with a long-standing history of collaboration and partnership. The quality of life within the Westminster community is the direct result of purposeful and strategic governance meeting current community needs while giving thoughtful consideration to the future. Strategic efforts are demonstrated in the Fire Department with updated, proactive building code and enforcement efforts and the utilization of state-of-the-art equipment. The community support for public safety remains strong, as demonstrated by the approval of a public safety tax passed in 2003 that helps fund fire, police and supporting operations.
Westminster is a full-service city with over a thousand full-time employees and an annual budget of nearly $300 million.
THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT
This position promotes the mission and values of the City of Westminster by supporting the Finance Department goals of providing quality financial services and expertise necessary to support a financially sustainable City Government.
The Finance Department has the overall responsibility of providing effective best in class financial oversite with efficiency and transparency. The department has received the Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the GFOA for 40 consecutive years and received the GFOA’s Triple Crown Award in 2024. Also, in 2024 the City’s utility enterprise was rated AAA by Standard and Poor’s.
There are 29.5 authorized staff within – Accounting, Sales Tax and Procurement, Administration. The department also oversees Treasury work, Contracts and Grants, as well as special districts.
Accounting Division
The Accounting Division’s core functions include the centralized processing, recording and reporting of financial transactions, administration of the financial management system, management of the annual financial audit, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, budget control, and internal audit. The division is comprised of the Accounting Manager, Accountants and other Accounting Professionals with an authorized Full Time Equivalent of 14.50.
Sales Tax Division
Generally, the 3.85% city sales tax must be collected on all sales, leases or rentals of items in the city, including items delivered into the city. The Sales Tax Division is responsible for Sales and Use Tax Auditing and Collection. The division is comprised of the Sales Tax Manager and includes 8.0 authorized staff.
Procurement Office
The City’s Office of Procurement was created to offer a centralized team of professionals to assist City staff in the purchasing of all goods, services and construction. Procurement helps ensure that our various funding sources are spent responsibly, effectively and ethically in support of the City’s Charter and Municipal Code. The procurement team helps process and issue Purchase Orders, Solicitations and Bids as well as City Contracts. The City’s Procurement Policy, signed June 8, 2023 was updated to better support the Westminster City Charter, Title XIII Purchases – Contracts – Leases and the Westminster Municipal Code (W.M.C) Title XV, Chapter 1, Purchasing Procedures.
Administration Section
The Administration Section of the Finance Department is responsible for some of the department day to day activities as well as oversite of Contracts and Grants as well as Special Districts.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for establishing major departmental policies, planning long-term programs, and making executive-level decisions in alignment with the direction of the organization as defined by City Council and the City Manager. Primary duties involve overseeing all administrative and professional work in planning, organizing and directing the Finance Department that consists of the Accounting, Sales Tax, along with the Procurement Office and Finance Administration consisting of Contracts and Grants, and Special Districts operations. Work involves responsibility for managing and administering citywide finance programs, including overall planning, coordinating and supervising these divisions, which provide enhancement for the quality of life in Westminster.
The CFO also services as a citywide champion of innovation, creating and driving short-term and long-term vision for innovation, and driving initiatives in support of citywide sustainability, environmental, service, and efficiency goals. Responsibilities include determining major departmental policies; planning long-term programs; supporting citywide and department sustainability, innovation and communication efforts; and making difficult technical and administrative decisions. Work includes assuring accomplishment of the objectives of the Finance Department through the direct and indirect supervision of all personnel assigned to the department. Work requires attending some evening and weekend meetings/events.
DUTIES OF THE JOB
Organizational Leadership, Planning and Management duties including directing Finance Department personnel and operations in such a manner as to meet the Department’s and City’s Strategic Plans and goals established by City Council and the City Charter. The position develops policies, procedures, and best practices that demonstrate exceptional customer service and prudent stewardship of City resources and revenue. In addition, the CFO evaluates and advises on the impact of long-range strategies, planning, programming, and regulatory actions and successfully applies the principles and practices of public administration, financial and personnel management.
Staff Management and Development duties including supervising Finance Department Staff providing Finance Department personnel with appropriate training, direction and technical assistance to ensure effective and efficient operations. The position focuses on organizational development with continued emphasis on the development of a ‘healthy’, engaged employee community.
Administrative and Operational Management duties include providing day-to-day managerial decisions on problems and issues that arise, ensuring cost effective operations, work efficiencies and promoting inter-departmental cooperation on common projects and functions within the divisions and sections of the Finance Department. The position directs and manages all activities and operations of Finance, including general accounting, financial reporting, capital financing, debt service, internal audits, financial planning, cash management, investments, payroll, sales and use tax auditing and purchasing. The CFO serves as Hearing Officer for tax matters and responsibilities assigned by the City Code; serves as Trustee of two City Employee Pension Plans and the FPPA Retirement Plans for Police and Fire employees. The Director oversees related administrative activities including the Finance Department budget preparation and execution, purchasing, personnel selection, reports, employee training, and correspondence in administration of projects as well as provides oversite of all department planning activities (both short range and long range); prepares and implements comprehensive plans and planning policies.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION
Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications
Required:
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or college with major coursework in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, or a related field
• Five (5) to Seven years of senior management experience in government finance, budget preparation, investment strategy and monitoring, capital financing programs, information technology and general accounting
Common amongst successful appointees:
• Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, or a related field
• Licensed Certified Public Accountant
• Certified Government Finance Officer
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The City of Westminster is a high-performing, values-based organization with a strong commitment to serve the community by investing in its employees. Westminster offers an exceptional compensation and benefits package, along with a dynamic training program and quality work environment. See a full summary of benefits here.
• The 2025 salary range for this position is $194,820-$243,525. The anticipated hiring range is $206,996-$231,348, based on experience and qualifications.
• The City’s retirement plan is a 401(a) defined contribution plan that includes employee contributions of 11.5% pre-tax and fully vested and the employer contribution of 12% vests at 60% in year three, 80% in year four, and fully vests in year five. The retirement plan is in lieu of Social Security contributions. Employees also have access to a 457(b) deferred compensation plan.
• Car Allowance
• Successful CFO candidate may be offered moving expense reimbursement and a temporary housing stipend as applicable.