Williams hired to fill post as city’s finance specialist

ThisWeek CW 01/22/2015

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/01/19/williams-hired-to-fill-post-as-citys-finance-specialist.html

The city of Canal Winchester has hired a new finance specialist to replace retired Finance Assistant Grace North, expanding the position’s duties to meet the additional responsibilities of the growing city.

Stacey Williams comes to Canal Winchester from Citi, where she worked as an operations manager assistant vice principal. Her starting salary will be $46,800 plus benefits.

Williams’ first day on the job was Dec. 22, 2014. North retired Dec. 31.

Finance Director Amanda Jackson said she will miss North, whom she called the “backbone” of the office, but is thankful for the expanded responsibilities Williams will be able to take on.

“Grace was the backbone of the finance department, handling payroll, accounts payable and all types of miscellaneous tasks,” Jackson said. “She was a huge help in my transition to the city and has taught me so much about how Canal Winchester functions on a day-to-day basis over the past two years. I cannot thank her enough.

“Stacey’s qualifications and experience made her the perfect fit for this position,” Jackson said. “She has a drive to learn and help the city better itself. She also demonstrated her ability to jump in, which is an important role in a small city, and we feel she will be a very valuable asset to the city team.”

In addition to dealing with payroll, accounts payable and daily accounting data entry, Williams also will be responsible for grant and fixed-asset management, and will have supervisory responsibility over the finance department in Jackson’s absence.

“Some responsibilities between myself and the finance specialist position have been shuffled around to allow for a better, more efficient work flow moving forward,” Jackson said.

“The upgraded responsibilities of fixed-asset and grant management will allow not only the finance department to tackle projects that have been pushed to the bottom of the list, but will also hopefully open up some additional funding opportunities for the city as a whole — specifically related to the grant duties,” Jackson said.

Williams also will interact with residents and business owners from time to time and will serve as backup to the utility billing clerk, mayor’s court clerk and clerk of council.