After an extensive search, Edgartown has appointed school business administrator Amy Tierney as its new town accountant. Ms. Tierney will step down from her current role with the Island public schools and begin work in Edgartown on Feb. 18.

“I’m excited to start,” Ms. Tierney said on Wednesday.

The search for a new money manager in the town began when former town accountant Kimberly Kane submitted her letter of resignation to the board of selectmen on Oct. 23, 2019. Assistant town accountant Lauri Mather has filled in during her absence. According to Kim Lucas, Edgartown’s human resources director, Ms. Kane was looking for a new professional opportunity.

“She was hoping to utilize her experience and education in a higher position that the town does not currently possess,” Ms. Lucas said.

Ms. Kane ultimately accepted a position as a finance director in the town of Carlisle, according to Ms. Lucas.

Initial interviews for Ms. Kane’s position took place in late November, with the town whittling down a field of 1o applicants to four finalists. Ms. Tierney was chosen after a final round of interviews in front of selectmen and town administrator James Hagerty. She has accepted the position.

Describing her reasons for switching jobs, Ms. Tierney cited the difficulty of her current role as school business administrator as retirement approaches. She has worked with the schools for nearly 18 years, and said it will be tough to leave her office.

“I knew when I came here that it was going to be a difficult job, and I’ve never been bored since day one,” Ms. Tierney said. “It’s been . . . an emotional and trying decision to make, because I really love working with the schools. I think education is the most important thing we do with our tax dollars. So it’s been really hard for me.”

But she couldn’t pass up the chance to work for Edgartown when she saw that the position had become open.

“The opportunity came along, and I was like, wow,” Ms. Tierney said. “I’ve never been partial to any one town because I’ve always worked all over . . . I do love Edgartown though, and it’s a good opportunity for me. And a good opportunity for them, too.”

During the appointment on Monday, Edgartown selectmen cited Ms. Tierney’s extensive experience with financial management in their hiring decision. Before two decades as school business administrator, Ms. Tierney spent eight years as the Chilmark town accountant.

“It’s something I know, and know I do well,” Ms. Tierney said.

The Island’s regional school district has not yet found a replacement for Ms. Tierney. She said she submitted her letter of resignation as school business administrator on Monday.