Norwich — Deputy Comptroller Josh Pothier was named Friday as the city’s new comptroller, but City Manager Alan Bergren said he was being groomed for the promotion for the past two budget years.

Bergren appointed Pothier, 37, Friday to succeed 15-year Comptroller Joseph Ruffo, who retired in August. Pothier had been named interim comptroller and was one of six applicants for the permanent position. He will earn $107,086 a year.

Bergren said Friday that Pothier clearly was the top candidate because of his years of service with the city and his coordination of budgets with various city budgets over the past two years. Bergren said Ruffo “stepped back” on the budget work with city departments to allow Pothier to learn the process.

Pothier also helped design the city’s new website and worked closely with city departments on that project. Pothier also “answered most of the questions” in a recent city bond rating review with Fitch Ratings service, Bergren said.

“Mr. Pothier was the top candidate in our open selection process and has my strong confidence and trust that he will continue to lead the City of Norwich Finance Department in the outstanding tradition set by Mr. Ruffo of fiscal responsibility, transparency, and strong, effective financial management of the City,” Bergren said in a press release announcing the appointment Friday.

Pothier has served as deputy comptroller for Norwich for the past 11 years. Prior to being hired by Ruffo, he worked for the accounting firm KPMG in Hartford for three years doing corporate taxes and then worked for McGladrey & Pullen in New Haven for one year, where he worked on the city of Norwich’s audit.

“I’m excited to get in there and keep the good work that Joe did going,” Pothier said.

Pothier announced Friday the city finance office will be closed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 4 for a finance department goals discussion among staff.

One of his first managerial jobs will be to hire his replacement as deputy comptroller. Bergren said he hopes to see that position filled soon, because city officials want to start preparing departmental budgets for the 2014-15 fiscal year this fall.

Pothier is a Norwich native and lived in the city through seventh grade, when his family moved to Plainfield. He and his wife, Nicole, and their three children, ages 3, 6 and 9, now live in Moosup.

c.bessette@theday.com