Full Time Controller Jobs in Alaska (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Sitka, AK
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 07/02/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NA
Thank you for considering employment with the City and Borough of Sitka. The following information is provided to give potential applicants awareness regarding the job.
If a range of pay is advertised, starting pay dependent on experience and qualifications aligned with job requirements.
Primary Purpose of Job & Essential Duties/Responsibilities
The City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) is recruiting for the position of Controller in its Finance Department and through this same recruitment is also prepared to consider exceptionally qualified applicants for the position of Finance Director. Every applicant who meets the minimum qualification for the Controller position will be evaluated for that role. Applicants who additionally meet the qualifications for the Finance Director position may be considered for either position, depending on the strength of the applicant pool and the needs of the department. A single application places you in consideration for both opportunities, and the short set of screening questions that are part of the application allows us to identify which position or positions fit your background. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.
Controller annualized salary: $119,490.54
Finance Director annualized salary: $156,954.70
Primary Purpose of Job
The primary purpose of this position is to manage and oversee all aspects of the accounting and financial reporting systems of CBS and to support preparation of quarterly and annual financial statements. In the absence of the Finance Director, this position may temporarily assume full responsibility for the duties of the Finance Director.
Under the general supervision of the Finance Director, the Controller exercises independent judgement and discretion as a professional with technical expertise to perform the position's daily tasks and responsibilities within department established policies and procedures. This position directly supervises accounting, billing, accounts payable, and payroll staff.
The Controller acts in a confidential capacity to the Finance Director, Municipal Administrator, Assembly, and other department heads who formulate, determine, or effectuate management policies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Develops, implements and manages financial accounting system and procedures consistent with GAAP, GASB, and GAAFR
• Develops, implements and manages an accounting and reporting system that will provide accurate, timely and complete financial reporting and budget execution information to the Assembly, Administrator, Department Heads and users of such data who evaluate or audit the financial condition of the CBS
• Oversees and manages all preparations for the annual external CPA audit of the financial systems, internal controls, and financial statements of the CBS, to include preparation of audit workpapers, preparation of account reconciliations, preparation of account confirmations, preparation of fiscal year-end adjusting journal entries and subsequent year reversing entries, and coordination with auditors during on-site field work
• Coordinates with external CPAs in preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Federal/State Single Audit Act Audit Report
• Assists Finance Director with preparation of quarterly financial statements and ACFR and reviews trial balance reports of all funds
• Prepares a wide variety of analysis and management reports as requested
• Audits accounts and records of receipts, expenditures, billings, debt financing, contracts, budget activities, cash and non-cash assets, accounting entries, equipment and supply inventories, payroll and employee benefits
• Prepares timely reports for appropriate officials or agencies concerning scope of audits, financial conditions found, source and application of funds and recommendations for correction and/or improvement
• Develops, coordinates and implements improved finance and accounting data processing
applications
• Performs other related duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Knowledge of:
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncement,
• Government Accounting and Auditing Financial Reporting (GAAFR) standards
• Fund accounting, auditing and reporting concepts and requirements
• Thorough knowledge of principles of effective office and personnel management
Skills in:
• Operating a personal computer using standard software, such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, and customized financial, accounting, and auditing/ERP software
• Interpreting complex financial reports and records and analysis of financial data
• Advanced data techniques using spreadsheet software and pivot table applications
• Organizing and maintaining a wide variety of records and files, both paper and electronic with attention to detail
• Organizing and prioritizing work
• Managing financial records with meticulous attention to detail
• Tracking and documenting complex financial transactions
Ability to:
• Produce high quality work that has been self-reviewed for accuracy
• Recognize and maintain confidential information
• Communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
• Interpret policies and collective bargaining agreements to effectively manage personnel
• Apply new rules and pronouncements to work already in progress
• Manage a consistent, periodic financial accounting and reporting cycle on both a soft-close and hard-close basis for a multi-departmental entity
• Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures and instructions
• Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
• Quickly learn and put to use newly acquired skills and knowledge
Minimum Qualifications & Other Job Requirements/Expectations
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree or higher in accounting or related field; or
• Bachelor's Degree in any business field which includes successfully completed coursework in financial accounting, managerial accounting, intermediate accounting, cost accounting, and auditing; and
• 7 years of experience in accounting, public sector preferred; and
• Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant in the State of Alaska, or Certified Public Accountant candidate preferred; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work
Other Job Requirements or Expectations
• Occasional requirement to attend evening Assembly meetings
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
Working Conditions:
• General office setting
Specific Physical Requirements:
• Operating office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination using a computer and keyboard on a daily basis
• Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time either in front of computer
• Occasional bending, climbing, stooping, reaching, and twisting
• Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull objects up 50 pounds with or without the assistance of proper equipment
General Physical Requirements:
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate well with other employees and the general public
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation which permits the employee to use a computer screen and process numeric data
• Sufficient manual dexterity which permits the employee to operate a computer keyboard and access files
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permits the employee to move about in an office environment
Please reach out to the City and Borough of Sitka Human Resources Office at the below information if you have any questions or concerns.
The City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees that may include:
Health / Medical Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision (90% employer, 10% employee for full-time employees)
• Health Savings Account eligible plan option
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health and Dependent Care

Retirement:

• Mandatory employee/employer contributions to State of Alaska Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)
• Mandatory employee/employer SBS contributions
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Employer Paid Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Leave Plan
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Floating Holidays

Please call the CBS Human Resources department at 907-747-1816 for any specific questions about benefits.
01
What is your highest level of completed education and field of study?

• Master's degree or higher in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting or a closely related field
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a closely related field
• Bachelor's degree in another business field
• Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, or no degree

02
If your bachelor's degree is in a business field other than accounting, did your coursework include all five of the following: financial accounting, managerial accounting, intermediate accounting, cost accounting, and auditing?

• Yes, all five
• Some, but not all five
• Not applicable, my degree is in accounting or a related field

03
How many total years of professional experience do you have in accounting or public finance?

• Fewer than 7 years
• 7 to 9 years
• 10 or more years

04
How many years of that experience involved financial management with a focus on budgeting and fiscal planning?

• Fewer than 2 years
• 2 to 9 years
• 10 or more years

05
Have you served at least two years as a Finance Director, Controller, or in a comparable senior finance management role?

• Yes, two ore more years
• Less than two years
• No

06
What is the largest number of employees you have directly supervised at one time?

• None
• 1 or 2
• 3 or more

07
Which of the following do you have direct "hands-on" experience with? Select all that apply.

• Governmental fund accounting
• Application of GSAB pronouncements
• Preparation of an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR or CAFR)
• Coordinating an external CPA audit or Federal or State Single Audit
• Developing and presenting an annual operating budget to a governing body

08
Do you hold, or are you actively pursuing, a CPA or CMA license?

• Licensed CPA or CMA, in Alaska or another state
• Active CPA or CMA candidate
• No

09
Which position would you like to be considered for?

• Controller
• Finance Director
• Either

Required Question