What we do The Finance and Management Services Department is responsible for providing accurate and timely information regarding the city’s financial affairs while adhering to the principles of leadership, customer service, quality, integrity, teamwork and collaboration. We Care. We Use Best Practices. We Spend Tax Dollars Wisely. Goals Improve communication and cross-functional collaboration through partnerships and education. Clearly define performance expectations and motivators to attract, develop, and retain high quality staff. Instill confidence, inspire trust, and ensure transparency through accurate, purposeful financial and managerial processes and reporting. Finance and Management Services Tony McDowell, Interim Finance Director Office Phone: 828-259-5635 Email: tmcdowell@ashevillenc.gov Financial and Strategic Services The Strategic Services Team is comprised of the Purchasing, Risk Management, and Compliance. Frank McGowan, Finance and Strategic Services Manager Office Phone: 828-259-5811 Cell Phone: 828-777-1139 Email: fmcgowan@ashevillenc.gov Compliance Tom Downing, Financial and Programmatic Compliance Specialist Phone: 828-259-5588 Email: tdowning@ashevillenc.gov Purchasing and Contracting Division Click here to access the Purchasing and Contracting Division, Current Bid Opportunities and other related information. Amy Patterson, Purchasing Manager Phone: 828-259-5953 Email: apatterson@ashevillenc.gov Risk Management Division Risk Management’s mission is to provide effective risk, safety and claims management services to each department and the citizens of Asheville in a timely, courteous, efficient and effective manner within organizational guidelines. The Risk Management Division provides comprehensive administration, budgeting, financing and loss prevention control services for the City of Asheville, including all lines of insurance and Workers’ Compensation. The Division also processes claims for damages from the public and manages them to disposition and works with all departments to mitigate unsafe conditions in City facilities or in the protocols and procedures utilized to deliver services. The City Risk Manager serves as the American with Disabilities (ADA) Coordinator regarding ADA Title II concerns. Please contact the City Risk Manager regarding ADA Title II matters. Brad Stein, Risk Manager Phone: 828-259-5687 E-mail: bstein@ashevillenc.gov Financial Operations and Treasury Douglas Whitman, Treasurer Phone: (828) 259-5502 E-mail: dwhitman@ashevillenc.gov The Financial Operations and Treasury Team manages payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and delivers support and other services to City staff and outside vendors. The Division is responsible for management of the City’s cash, investment and debt portfolios in compliance to NC State Statutes, federal requirements and generally accepted accounting principles. A brief listing of the responsibilities of the fiscal services division are as follows: All payroll related functions Mange all central accounts payable activities Management of the City’s central banking account relationships Maintenance of the City’s debt portfolio Preparation of miscellaneous billing items, including annual business License renewal Accounting and Financial Reporting The Accounting and Financial Reporting Team is responsible for financial reporting, general ledger and sub-ledger accounting. The team leads the year-end audit and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) process. Manage the purchase card program Budget and Forecasting Division Taylor Floyd – Budget Manager Phone: (828) 259-5592 E-mail: tfloyd@ashevillenc.gov ConnectFinance and Management Services70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801Mailing AddressPO Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.Interim Finance DirectorTony McDowell (tmcdowell@ashevillenc.gov)Phone828-259-5635Administrative & Communications ManagerBeth Bechel (bbechel@ashevillenc.gov)Phone828-259-5598 Related Services Business Inclusion The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority and women-owned businesses for an opportunity to participate as providers of goods and services to the city. More Related Services Finance and Management Services News Tony McDowell named City of Asheville Director of Finance Posted on April 13, 2021 by Polly McDaniel City Assistant Finance Director Tony McDowell has been named Director of Finance for the City of Asheville. City Manager Debra Campbell selected McDowell for the job, citing “his rich institutional knowledge in this important role.” McDowell has served as the Interim Finance Department Director since January following the departure of former City CFO Barbara Whitehorn, who [...] How to engage in the City of Asheville budget process: Survey now open, meetings happening as well Posted on March 19, 2021May 5, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville wants to hear from you! City staff have approached the budget process differently this year by reviewing existing services with a focus on members of our community that experience inequity. Through our internal department work, and from what heard through Reimagining Public Safety several opportunities for improvements emerged: Economic [...] City of Asheville takes equity-focused approach to budget Posted on March 2, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Work sessions scheduled It’s budget season for the City of Asheville. From March through June, City Council will work with City staff to review budget options, aligning Council and community priorities with available funding. The City’s operating budget must be passed by July 1. The discussions leading up to the final budget happen during budget work sessions, meetings [...] More Finance and Management Services News
Business Inclusion The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority and women-owned businesses for an opportunity to participate as providers of goods and services to the city.
Tony McDowell named City of Asheville Director of Finance Posted on April 13, 2021 by Polly McDaniel City Assistant Finance Director Tony McDowell has been named Director of Finance for the City of Asheville. City Manager Debra Campbell selected McDowell for the job, citing “his rich institutional knowledge in this important role.” McDowell has served as the Interim Finance Department Director since January following the departure of former City CFO Barbara Whitehorn, who [...]
How to engage in the City of Asheville budget process: Survey now open, meetings happening as well Posted on March 19, 2021May 5, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville wants to hear from you! City staff have approached the budget process differently this year by reviewing existing services with a focus on members of our community that experience inequity. Through our internal department work, and from what heard through Reimagining Public Safety several opportunities for improvements emerged: Economic [...]
City of Asheville takes equity-focused approach to budget Posted on March 2, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Work sessions scheduled It’s budget season for the City of Asheville. From March through June, City Council will work with City staff to review budget options, aligning Council and community priorities with available funding. The City’s operating budget must be passed by July 1. The discussions leading up to the final budget happen during budget work sessions, meetings [...]