FINANCIAL ANALYST I - DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Performs budgetary, accounting, and related financial analysis duties; performs directly related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The principal function of an employee in this class is to manage administrative financial process in a large Department and/or on a City-wide scale. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of an assigned financial or administrative personnel but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees, outside auditors, business organizations, and the public. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL WORK:

Performs fiscal oversight to a large area of municipal operations, including training, coordinating, and directing the work of accounting personnel;
Performs financial analysis on government services to ascertain appropriate fee structures;
Utilizes research methodologies, statistical techniques, and compilation of empirical data to perform budget analyses for the purpose of designing, planning, and developing the operating budget for an assigned area;
Develops a portion of and/or a complete capital budget in an assigned area;
Performs Accounts Receivable (AR) reconciliation to general ledger; makes AR adjustments upon request;
Resolves customer account balance issues as needed;
Processes monthly AR statements to be printed and mailed;
Prepares AR aging report for Committee;
Updates and runs revenue reports and aging queries and send to all departments;
Submits accounts to collections agency per department request, updates collection reports, reconciles to agency reports, and sends to all departments;
Posts investment escrow account interest and reconciles;
Performs reserve account balance transfers;
Performs payroll suspense account transfers;
Maintains fixed assets and posts depreciation;
Prepares quarterly financial statements for website;
Coordinates the work of and provides technical assistance to professional staff in the monitoring and managing of budgeted resources and other administrative issues;
Analyzes departmental budget requests and makes recommendations based on the results;
Performs fiscal, statistical, administrative, operational, organizational, and personnel staffing studies;
Processes, prepares, reviews, and administers grant and special project applications;
Negotiates agreements for service and capital projects with public and private agencies;
Performs various accounting functions, including full general ledger maintenance and systems reports, fixed asset accounting and reporting, trust fund accounting, account reconciliation, special reporting requirements, and related;
Compiles Comprehensive Financial Reports;
Advises Department Heads, municipal officials, and others on complex fiscal matters, budgetary considerations, transfers of funds, payment procedures, investments, expenditures. and commitment of funds as requested;
Serves as an in-house consultant within the City regarding comprehensive financial operations;
Analyzes, reviews, and critiques records, statistical data, and related requirements received from or prepared for local, State, and Federal agencies;
Provides guidance and demonstrations to new employees in similar positions;
Keeps supervisors informed of work progress, issues, and potential solutions;
Attends meetings and training to stay current on relevant practices and developments;
Responds to citizen inquiries courteously and promptly;
Coordinates regularly with others to enhance interdepartmental efficiency; and
Performs additional duties as required by the classification.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Comprehensive knowledge of current practices and principles used in the development, implementation, monitoring, and administration of municipal budgets;
Comprehensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles;
Thorough knowledge of financial office procedures and practices;
Thorough knowledge of the functions of government in a municipality;
Thorough knowledge of accounts payable and payroll processes;
Thorough knowledge of budget preparation within a municipality;
Ability to interpret accounting reports and records and to analyze accounting data for control and reporting purposes;
Ability to interpret department requests and needs and translate all related variables into budgetary development;
Ability to handle confidential and administrative information with tact and discretion;
Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate the work of others;
Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions;
Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related; and
Three to five years of related experience in budgetary development, auditing, accounting operations, and related; or
Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
REQUIRED SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

None.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;
Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to review a wide variety of written materials in both electronic and hardcopy formats;
Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a personal computer and related equipment;
Sufficient strength and endurance, with or without reasonable accommodation to lift, carry and move objects, through a full range of motion, up to 10 pounds occasionally, 5 pounds frequently and 2 pounds consistently;
Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to function within the general office environment.