Community Profile
Incorporated in 1856, Ashland City, located along the Cumberland River, is a full-service municipality providing police and fire services, public works, parks and recreation, planning and code enforcement, city court, and utilities. The city currently employs a staff of 85 full-time employees. Located approximately 15 miles west of Nashville and 20 miles southeast of Clarksville, Ashland City is located on State Route 12 and State Route 49, where it serves as the county seat of Cheatham County.
The city currently has approximately 2,573 dwelling units and a total population of 5,586 (2023). Its residents are drawn to a community that is rich in history and natural beauty, offering a peaceful lifestyle along the Cumberland River in northern Middle Tennessee. Serving as a center for manufacturing and agribusiness, Ashland City is located within the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro Combined Statistical Area (CSA) of nearly two million people. The Nashville region is currently experiencing an unprecedented economic boom.
The city maintains six parks, which include acres of beautiful green space and forestry, with ballfields, playgrounds, walking trails, tennis courts, boat launch and dock, and other amenities.
Municipal Government
Ashland City is chartered under a private act authorized by the Tennessee General Assembly and was most recently amended in 2023. The City Council is comprised of a mayor elected at large to a four-year term of office, and six (6) council members elected from wards serving staggered, four-year terms.
The council approves the annual budget, establishes policies, goals, and objectives to direct the growth and development of the city, and adopts ordinances and regulations as necessary for the general health and welfare of the community and its citizens.
The City Council meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. for Workshop and the 2nd Tuesday of
every month at 6:00 p.m. for regular City Council at City Hall on Main Street.
About the Finance Director position
The salary range is $80,372.00-$121,741.00 Salary commensurate with education and experience.
To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to HumanResources@ashlandcitytn.gov by Monday August 25, 2025.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.
BENEFITS
The benefit package takes effect following a 30-day probationary period and includes the following:
• Paid health, dental, life insurance, and long-term disability for employees. Health, dental, life, and life with accidental death and dismemberment are available for family at a cost to the employee.
• Short-term disability, voluntary life, voluntary life with accidental death and dismemberment, AFLAC is offered at a cost to the employee
• Employer contributions to employee health savings account
• Member of TCRS retirement
• Paid vacation and sick leave
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Confers, coordinates, plans, and provides support to the Mayor, Chief of Staff, department heads and other employees on various financial matters.
• Plans, organizes and directs operations in the areas of accounting, budgeting, capital budgeting, reporting, purchasing, tax collection, and all other financial activities.
• Prepares the appropriation ordinance, budgetary comptroller reporting, and all other related documents.
• Assists department heads with budget projections and generates accurate reports in a user-friendly format so that department heads can financially manage their departments and monitor their budgets.
• Maintains financial records for all grants for required reporting.
• Formulates and oversees the City's investment program.
• Make effective oral and written financial presentations to the City Council as required.
• Help ensure that all financial operations are performed in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, as well as with accepted governmental accounting principles and nationally recognized governmental best practices.
• Assigning, managing, and monitoring clerical functions in accounts receivables, accounts payables, water billing, and payroll.
• Manages financial office staff by coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; planning, monitoring, and evaluating job results.
• Monitors the financial policies and procedures of City departments and operations, makes recommendations for revision when appropriate.
• Recommend and implement changes in financial policies and procedures for various departments.
• Monitoring security of payments and information.
• Development of city budget by working with Mayor, Chief of Staff and department heads for Councils approval.
• Attends and assists with packet preparation for budget meetings.
• Plans and coordinates the City’s annual audit working with contracted auditors.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in finance or business-related field required from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in a progressively responsible position.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Designated Certified Municipal Financial Officer or ability to obtain certification within 2 years or exempt under the CMFO Act of 2007 which would be CPAs, CGFMs and CPFOs under TCA 6-56- 405.
• Notary or ability to obtain notary within 6 months.
• Performs related duties as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
• Understands internal control required by state law and assist department heads to develop, document, implement, and monitor the City’s internal control system
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suites
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy
• Must have the ability to create and maintain well-written and understandable records
• Must have the ability to direct and discipline financial personnel
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to work independently and with a group
• Knowledge/ability to learn current software
• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of modern municipal accounting, budgeting, and finance, including capital budgeting, cost containment, investment management, cash control, intergovernmental cooperation, and the regulatory/legal environment of municipal organizations
• Ability to instill a sense of customer service and responsiveness throughout the Finance Department
• Must possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Extensive knowledge of modern management principles and practices
