Welcome to the Office of the Director of Finance

Director of Finance

Rob Dubow

The Office of Director of Finance was created by the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, adopted by the electors of the City on April 17, 1951, to give the Mayor and the City government a principal officer responsible for the financial, accounting, and budgeting functions of the executive branch. The Director of Finance is thus the chief financial officer of the City and all

 

Vincent J. Jannetti 2004-2007 E. Ray Zies 2004-2004       Janice D. Davis 2000-2004       Lynda Orfanelli 2000-2000       Michael Nadol 1999-1999       Ben Hayllar 1993-1999       Steven P. Mullin 1992-1993       Peter A. Certo 1991-1992       David Brenner 1991-1991       Benjamin Blakney 1990-1990       Elizabeth Reveal 1988-1989       Carlo R. Gambetta 1985-1987       Richard Gilmore 1984-1984       Joseph Brown 1983-1983       Rodney Johnson 1982-1982       Edward DeSeve 1980-1981       Irvin R. Davis 1977-1979       Lennox L. Moak 1972-1976       Romanus Buckley 1970-1971       Edward Martin 1963-1969       Francis J. Lalley 1961-1962       Richard McConnell 1955-1960       Vernon D. Northrup 1954-1954       Lennox L. Moak 1952-1953

powers and duties concerning finances, accounting, and budgeting in the executive branch are directly or indirectly the Director's. The Director of Finance is also the Chairman of the Board of Pensions and Retirements and an ex-officio member of the board of various quasi-governmental agencies. Listed below are the names of the 24 women & men that have served as Finance Director. The City of Philadelphia operates on a fiscal year between July 1st and June 30th.

The Office is organized into the following units: 

Accounting Bureau - The bureau's major objectives include recording the City's financial activity, maintaining the centralized accounting system, preparing payroll, processing payments and issuing required financial reports.

Why Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting Is - and Should Be - Different

• Accounting Verification
  Process payments to vendors providing goods and services to all City departments and agencies.
• General Accounting
  Record all financial activity on the City's general and subsidiary ledgers and produce interim and yearly financial reports. Maintain the City's central accounting system.
• Grants Accounting & Administration
  Centrally account for all grant related activity in accordance with single audit requirements of the Federal Government and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Payroll
  Process weekly payroll and associated fringe benefit payments.

>> Administrative Services Center - Handles the administrative functions for the finance cluster.

>> Budget Bureau - Prepares and directs oversight of the operating budget, provides financial forecasts and updates the City's Five-Year Financial Plan.

>> Minority Business Enterprise Council - MBEC creates an environment of inclusion whereby minorities, women, and disabled businesspersons are given equal access to business opportunities with the City.

>> Office of Administrative Review - Provides citizens of Philadelphia with a consistent appeal process and high-quality adjudication by review of administrative cases; administration of the adjudication process, and financial management of disputed cases.

• Administration
  Provides general support and oversees OAR's computerized tracking, hearing, scheduling, and case management system. In cooperation with other City departments, OAR instituted other appeal and customer service programs; Reserved Residential On-Street Parking for The Disabled, The Ombudsman Program for The Real Estate Tax Lien Sale and the Use and Occupancy Settlement Project.
• Bureau of Administrative Adjudication (BAA) Hearing Unit
  Holds administrative hearings for disputed parking tickets and CVNs.
• Code Unit
  Registers burglary and robbery alarm systems, and supports enforcement of provisions of the Philadelphia Code regarding false alarm violations, sanitation infractions and assorted other City laws.
• Tax Review Board
  Adjudicates taxpayer appeals from all City assessments or bills, with the exception of real estate tax assessments and tax principal.
  
  OAR Frequently Asked Questions
  
  OAR Contact Numbers

>> Office of Risk Management - Analyzes the City's insurance and other risk exposure issues, including managing claims, workers' compensation, and service-connected disabilities. Provides insurance prevention programs.

• Employee Disability
  The Employee Disability Unit oversees all aspects of the City employee work-related injury program, including the provision of high quality medical care to injured employees, claims management, and Workers' Compensation defense litigation.
• Claims Unit
  The Claims Unit handles all claims for personal injury and property damage as a result of the City's negligence. A staff of professional claims adjusters investigates all claims and evaluates their merits under the applicable law. The unit is also charged with maintaining information about claims to be used in the City's safety and loss control efforts.
• Insurance and Contracts
  In addition to performing insurance and contract services for the City of Philadelphia, its authorities and agencies, Risk Management's Insurance & Contracts Unit works to reduce the City's exposure to liability claims and lawsuits arising from the activities and operations of independent contractors and vendors. As an example of this, to mitigate the exposure of uninsured loss to the City and its taxpayers, the Unit is responsible for assuring that independent contractors/vendors maintain appropriate insurance in compliance with the City's contract and permit requirements. Additionally, the Unit extends risk management assistance to non-profit and community groups doing business with the City or sponsoring events on City property.
• Safety and Loss Prevention
  The Safety and Loss Prevention Unit of the City's Risk Management Division is responsible for evaluating the safety and health of the working environments for the city's 30,000 employees. The unit is also responsible for assessing risk associated with the City's operations, products and services. Working together with City departments, the unit reviews potential problems with departmental operations and procedures to minimize potential risks for the city and improve safety for the City and its residents.
  
  Risk Mgmt Frequently Asked Questions
  
  Risk Mgmt Contact Numbers