Budget Analyst

Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville—you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Department: Office of Management & Budget: Budget

About the role

An employee in this class is responsible for assisting in the overall process of preparing and administering the City's annual operating budget, five-year Capital Improvement Budget, performance data, and multi-year revenues/expenditures projections. The Budget Analyst compiles and analyzes both statistical and fiscal data as the basis for preparing specific schedules, tables, and narrative summaries included in these various budget documents. Budget Analysts are responsible for the analysis of one or many City departments and funds with assistance from their supervisor or a Senior Budget Analyst. Work is performed independently with periodic supervisor review. Positions report to a designated supervisor and work under general supervision. This role is distinguished by its lack of supervisory duties and entry-level analytical responsibilities related to city-wide budget development.

Responsibilities

• Assists with the preparation of city-wide operating and capital budgets.
• Provides guidance to departments in preparing plans for capital improvement programs, annual budgets, administration, debt management, and other complex finance and accounting assignments.
• Performs policy, budget, and financial analysis; conducts technical fiscal studies; analyzes data; and independently recommends courses of action.
• Monitors changes in policies, procedures, and laws to identify areas of financial impact.
• Works with sensitive information related to personnel and financial data at the city-wide and departmental levels.
• Monitors departmental budgets and assists in the annual budget process for assigned departments.
• Provides superior customer service to departments to help them manage budgets and accomplish strategic goals.
• Assists with performance improvement initiatives, including developing performance indicators, comparing performance data with other jurisdictions, and facilitating internal task forces.
• Performs moderately complex, customer-focused professional financial services tasks to meet operations and capital projects requirements.
• Conducts research and analysis of financial data from moderately complex data management systems; may lead other staff in this capacity.
• Guides assigned department customers in developing departmental budget requests, accounting, and financial reporting requirements.
• Performs technological and administrative tasks to maintain software, including problem-solving, testing, developing, and modifying reports.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvements and supports the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Reviews and monitors budgets, expenditures, and contracts for compliance with federal, state, and City laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Tests software updates, patches, and upgrades to budget software.
• Prepares periodic financial reports and special reports for federal, state, and internal purposes.
• Works with Workday technical support to resolve issues and suggest new functionality.
• Develops multi-year financial forecasts for designated funds.
• Delivers presentations to internal and external customers.
• Leverages technology tools to fulfill assigned duties accurately and efficiently.
• Collaborates with coworkers to develop and deliver training.
• Performs other related duties as assigned, including attending work on a continuous and regular basis.

Non-essential responsibilities

• Assists in identifying user needs for automated information systems.
• Assists in formulating operating procedures for assigned division.
• Assists departments in developing service goals, objectives, and standards.
• May act in the absence of the supervisor.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, finance, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in financial, operational, fuels, marketing analysis, or related analytical experience.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may substitute for the above requirements.
• Valid Florida Driver License required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), particularly as applied to governmental accounting and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of principles and procedures associated with the preparation of the annual budget and the Truth in Millage (TRIM) compliance process.
• Knowledge of Florida Statutes applicable to budgeting and financial management within the public sector, particularly Chapters 129 and 200.
• Knowledge of the State of Florida Uniform Accounting System for Local Governments.
• Knowledge of computer software applications such as Microsoft Office, with a focus on financial evaluation and data manipulation.
• General Excel knowledge, including intermediate to advanced functions (applicants may be subject to Excel testing).
• Skill in demonstrating leadership on assigned special projects and complex assignments (e.g., cost allocation plan development, multi-year financial forecast development, FEMA reimbursement).
• Skill in exercising independent initiative, fostering collaboration and teamwork, and demonstrating creativity and innovation to improve work processes.
• Skill in an integrated, automated financial software environment and utilizing automated budget development tools.
• Ability to communicate ideas, findings, and recommendations clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze program and accounting/budgeting details to identify and apply significant data in preparing budget projections, estimates, and reports.
• Ability to present information in a clear and concise manner in public forums.
• Ability to research and assimilate data from various detailed record sources for analysis and reporting.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to interact effectively with City officials, coworkers, and operating agency staff to establish and maintain working relationships.
• Ability to lead others in team efforts toward common objectives.
• Ability to analyze trends from detailed records and factual materials.
• Ability to use small office equipment and computers.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• May be required to attend meetings outside regular business hours.

Pay

Salary Range: $67,204.80 – $112,341.67

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Pension plan
• Deferred compensation plan
• On-site fitness centers
• Tuition reimbursement
• On-site medical staff
• Wellness program