The Finance Director shall have the following powers and duties:
(A) He or she shall keep the accounts of the city in accordance with generally accepted principles of governmental accounting and the rules and regulations of the Local Government Commission, as set forth in G.S. § 159-1 et seq.
(B) He or she shall disburse all funds of the city in strict compliance with G.S. Ch. 159, the budget ordinance and each project ordinance, and shall preaudit obligations and disbursements as required by G.S. Ch. 159.
(C) As often as may be requested by the City Council or Manager, he or she shall prepare and file with the Council a statement of the financial condition of the city.
(D) He or she shall receive and deposit all moneys accruing to the city, or supervise the receipt and deposit of money by other duly authorized officers and employees.
(E) He or she shall maintain all records concerning the bonded debt and other obligations of the city, determine the amount of money that will be required for debt service or the payment of other obligations during each fiscal year, and maintain all sinking funds.
(F) He or she shall supervise the investment of idle funds of the city.
(G) He or she shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by law, by the Manager or City Council, or by rules and regulations of the Commission.
(H) He or she shall attend any training required by the Local Government Commission under G.S. § 159-25.
(I) He or she shall contract with outside entities, including certified public accountants in good standing with the North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners, bookkeeping firms, councils of government, and other units of government, to ensure fulfillment of the duties enumerated in this division, excluding division (F), except where specifically allowed by law, and division (H). Regardless of the entity performing such duties, the authority, powers, and duties of the finance officer shall not be superseded, and the responsibility for accurate and timely fulfillment of duties lies solely with the finance officer.
(G.S. § 159-25(a)) (`90 Code, § 2-113)