In accordance with M.G.L. c. 43C, there is hereby established the position of director of finance. The director of finance shall be responsible to and appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the city council. The director of finance shall serve for a term of four years coterminous with the four-year term of mayor.
(C.O. 04-50A § 1 (part))
The director of finance shall be a person especially fitted by education, experience and training to perform the duties of the office. The position of director of finance shall be a "special municipal employee" position for purposes of M.G.L. c. 268A. The director of finance may serve, ex-officio, as the auditor, treasurer, collector or collector-treasurer of the city; provided, however, that no director of finance shall serve, ex-officio, as both auditor and treasurer, collector or collector-treasurer. If the director of finance serves as treasurer and city collector or as auditor or has some other position within city government, the financial interest of the director of finance in such positions, whether it be treasurer and collector, auditor or otherwise, shall be exempt from M.G.L. c. 268A, § 20. The director of finance may serve as collector-treasurer or collector without any effect on the tenure of the city collector.
(C.O. 04-50A § 1 (part))
A. 
All fiscal and financial matters and activities of the city, including all data processing and computerization pertaining to financial matters, performed by or under the authority of the city auditor, the city treasurer, the city collector, the purchasing agent, the assessors, the management information system department and the water and sewer billing department, shall be under the supervision, direction and control of the director of finance. The city auditor, city treasurer, city collector, the purchasing agent, the assessors, the management information system director and the officers or employees of the city in charge of the water and sewer billing department shall report directly to the director of finance on all financial matters. In addition to supervising, directing and coordinating all city financial functions, the director of finance shall have the following specific powers and duties:
1. 
Assist the mayor in preparing the annual operating and capital budgets of the city, as well as update the city's long-term capital improvement plan;
2. 
Coordinate the timely preparation of the tax recapitulation sheet and the other financial documents required by the department of revenue for establishment of the yearly tax rate;
3. 
Oversee and administer all of the city's insurance programs, including the group health insurance programs offered to the city's employees and retirees;
4. 
Oversee and administer the water and sewer enterprise fund;
5. 
Plan, coordinate and implement the computerization and integration of accounting, collection, assessing, billing and other financial and management information systems;
6. 
Direct the city's purchasing and inventory control procedures; establish clear guidelines regarding the role and authority of the purchasing agent with respect to departmental purchasing;
7. 
Direct and coordinate city financial reporting to local, state and federal agencies, as appropriate;
8. 
Direct and coordinate the flow of financial information between city departments;
9. 
Oversee the outside auditing of the city's finances;
10. 
Develop and implement cash and debt management policies and procedures for the city, and oversee all city investments; direct the issuance of all short-term and long-term debt; coordinate the city's credit review and rating; and oversee relations with the investment community;
11. 
Coordinate and oversee all city activities related to the application for, and receipt, expenditure and reporting of all grants or loans from the federal or state governments or other sources;
12. 
Prepare annual and multi-year financial plans for the city's executive and legislative branches to assist in deliberations on major fiscal policy issues and long term borrowing;
13. 
Recommend to the mayor means and methods for improving the management and efficiency of the city's financial operations.
(C.O. 04-50A § 1 (part))
Except as otherwise provided in Sections 2.20.010 through 2.20.030, nothing in this chapter shall otherwise effect the duties and responsibilities of any city officer, official or employee or the duties, responsibilities and structure of any city department, office or agency.
(C.O. 04-50A § 1 (part))