Brentwood to Hire Director to Oversee Finances

A restructured is one change Brentwood city administrator Bola Akande hopes to make soon.

Within the next week, Akande will lead a search for a finance director. The city has a finance officer, but the newly-created position of finance director will require additional qualifications and oversee the department. He or she will function as the chief budget officer of the city.

The finance department could experience additional restructuring, too, Akande said.

"We need to be more accountable," Akande said. "It's one of a few steps I hope to put in place."

The position will require a significant background in municipal work, perhaps even at an executive level, she said. It will also require expertise to handle the city's budget.

With a significant retail base and an annual budget of $14 million, the city needs another set of eyes reviewing the finances, Akande said.

A job description notes that other job responsibilities will include:

• Analysis and maintenance of city accounts
• Preparation of financial statements
• Coordination with audit firm to establish an annual certified audit of city's "operation, purchasing, business, merchant and liquor license, and all other activities within the department"

"We want to strengthen our internal controls, and that is what this will do," Akande said.

Akande said this is the first step in a "systemic-wide review of the entire city." She admits the review will take time, but promises it will be very thorough.

The pay for the position will be based on the qualifications of the new employee, she said.

The entire job posting is attached to this article as a PDF.