Marblehead CFO Charts a New Financial Path
During a recent retreat of the Marblehead Select Board, Chief Financial Officer Aleesha N. Benjamin delivered a forward-looking presentation that outlined sweeping changes to the town’s financial operations. Her update addressed long-standing inefficiencies, introduced plans to modernize outdated systems, and emphasized the creation of a more transparent and resilient infrastructure.
“This is going to be exciting. It’s going to be a complex new learning curve,” Benjamin noted, acknowledging the challenges ahead while underscoring the long-term benefits of streamlining the town’s financial processes.
Transition to Munis: A New Digital Framework
Central to Marblehead’s financial overhaul is the transition from the ClearGov platform to Munis, a comprehensive enterprise-level municipal financial system. The changeover officially began on July 1, with additional integrations scheduled over the next 18 months. Payroll will be fully integrated by January 2026, followed by revenue collection and assessing by July 2026.
Benjamin highlighted the efficiency gains from the switch: “Instead of our little paper timesheets, we can go in and enter,” she said. “It’s a better platform for them. It’s just the learning curve.” With real-time data access, Munis is expected to significantly improve internal processes and enhance public transparency.
Although ClearGov will temporarily remain active to ensure continuity, Benjamin assured board members and residents that there will be no lapses in data availability. “We’re not trying to get away from [ClearGov] yet,” she explained, noting that ClearGov will remain operational until Munis has at least one full fiscal year of integrated financial data.
Enhancing Transparency and Public Access
The town’s commitment to transparency remains strong. Benjamin emphasized the goal of creating a “Transparency Center [that] shows at least a year’s worth of data.” Select Board Chair Dan Fox reinforced this commitment, stating, “There’ll never be a time when we’re not having transparency.”
By maintaining dual systems temporarily, the town ensures residents can continue accessing budget data while transitioning to a more powerful, user-friendly platform.
Reorganizing the Finance Department for Sustainability
Another key component of Benjamin’s presentation was a proposed reorganization of the finance team. The restructuring aims to address operational gaps and ensure continuity in critical roles. Previously, one town accountant was responsible for all journal entries and reporting, with no backup support.
“There should be an assistant town accountant to do journal entries, more complex accounting tasks,” Benjamin said. “That also is succession planning.”
The reorganization also includes splitting treasury and collection functions to allow for greater specialization. Benjamin proposed appointing one assistant treasurer and one assistant collector, which would provide advancement opportunities and ensure continuity if key personnel leave.
“If we ever lost our treasurer collector, we have two positions that either one of them could sit in there,” she said. This strategy requires only one new hire and upgrades to existing roles, according to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer.
Up-to-Date Audits and Improved Forecasting
To bring financial reporting up to compliance standards, Marblehead has partnered with a new audit firm. Benjamin anticipates the town will complete its annual and single audits by early 2026. This timely reporting will allow for earlier certification of free cash and improved accuracy in budget forecasting.
Board members expressed interest in using actual spending data from the previous fiscal year to inform future budget decisions. “Seeing last year’s actuals … is the gold standard at the end of the day,” said Select Board member Moses Grader. Benjamin agreed, noting that the new Munis system would enable real-time access to year-to-date financial data. “Running year-to-date actuals is the simple thing,” she added.
Future Initiatives and Risk Planning
Looking ahead, the town plans to explore Munis’ online payment platform and additional open finance tools that could further streamline operations while increasing public engagement. “If we went to the Munis online payment platform, it’s fully integrated,” Benjamin said. “Payments will go in, link to the account for real time.”
She also mentioned ongoing efforts to develop an enterprise risk management plan and a strategy for funding the town’s Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability. “I’m working with the town administrator to address past inefficiencies and bring stronger financial cultures in the form of a team approach,” Benjamin said.
Marblehead’s financial future is undergoing a transformation that prioritizes accountability, modern tools, and a structure designed to last. With a thoughtful mix of technological upgrades and strategic personnel changes, the town is positioning itself for long-term fiscal health and public trust.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.