Budget and Accounting Analyst

Location: Austin, TX | Agency: Health & Human Services Commission | Department: DDS - Program Admin | Posting Number: 22487 | Closing Date: 11/03/2026 | Salary Range: $5,425.33 – $8,886.16 per month (Salary Group TEXAS-B-24) | Full-time, Day shift, Onsite | Telework: Not eligible | Travel: Up to 5%

About the role

The Budget Analyst IV / Budget & Accounting Analyst is selected and supervised by the Disability Resource Management (DRM) Manager IV with the approval of the DRM Senior Director. This position works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment in performing advanced budget preparation, forecasting, analysis, and fiscal oversight functions for an annual multi-million-dollar state-federal program. Evaluates expenditure patterns, cost drivers, and funding trends to develop informed recommendations on the optimal use of federal and state funds that support agency operations. The position ensures the accuracy and timely submission of critical agency deliverables, including the Strategic Plan, Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR), fiscal notes, analyses of proposed legislation, and requests for federal funding. Establishes methods and priorities for complex budget evaluations, effective analytical techniques and methodologies, and applies sound judgment to interpret fiscal data and operational impacts. This position requires a high level of creativity, judgment, and analytical skill to evaluate complex state and federal financial reports, anticipate operational needs, and support executive decision making compliant with federal and state fiscal regulations and requirements.

Responsibilities

• Collect data and review state and federal budgets to support budget development, forecasting, and expenditure analysis. (25%)
• Provide guidance and assistance for spending plans, federal reporting, and monthly obligation submissions.
• Assess spending patterns and cost drivers to recommend optimal use and return of funds, strengthening long‑term financial planning.
• Analyze and manage DDS expenditure trends and cost drivers within the operating budget to develop recommendations for monthly obligation reports, ensuring expenditures and encumbrances are reconciled accurately and on time.
• Ensure the timeliness and accuracy of TX DDS financial activities in alignment with approved budgets and methods of finance.
• Maintain the integrity of financial data and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and standards; prepare necessary requests, fiscal notes, and recommendations consistent with budgeting and accounting requirements.
• Prepare, evaluate, develop, and analyze financial data, spending plans, monthly obligation reports, and quarterly reports across multiple state and federal Methods of Finance (MOF), providing management with informed funding recommendations. (20%)
• Research and develop budget formulas for appropriation requests using financial reports and records, ensuring full compliance with state and federal regulations, Social Security Administration (SSA) requirements, applicable laws, accounting standards, auditing principles, and departmental procedures.
• Establish work methods and develop budget processes and priorities that apply leading methodologies and emerging trends to strengthen the TXDDS spending plan, budget procedures, and funding requests. Enhance accuracy and support the efficient use of resources. Identify opportunities to improve reporting and assist TX DDS operations with planning initiatives. Perform related budget functions as needed. (15%)
• Provide guidance on financial planning, agency accounting documents, and financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable policies and regulations, including the Prompt Payment Act and the Cash Management Act.
• Review and analyze vendor invoices, refunds, payment records, financial reports, contracts, and SSA financial data to determine necessary adjustments or revisions prior to processing.
• Advise and provide management of any budget variances and issues that impact monthly, quarterly, and annual obligation reports, spending plans, encumbrance reports, cost allocation, state and SSA performance reports; provide resolution for corrective actions. (15%)
• Maintain oversight controls to detect and report fiscal irregularities.
• Evaluate current fiscal processes and recommend improvements for spending plans, monthly obligations, and quarterly accounting reports to mitigate errors.
• Maintain controls for budgeting and forecasting, including journal entries, cost reports, expenditure reports, and financial data to ensure state and federal audit rules are followed.
• Participate in the preparation and review of state and federal accounting expenditures within the Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) and the federal financial data system for Disability Determination Services (DDS) to support the development of the TX DDS operating budget. Ensure all financial activities comply accurately and timely with applicable federal and state financial regulations and ensure any recommendations or changes are reported to management. (15%)
• Review and prepare funding requests using vouchers and purchase orders related to agency purchases, payments, travel reimbursements, financial transactions, contracted services, and SSA‑approved funding. Examine and evaluate supporting documentation, validate comptroller object codes, and ensure compliance with state and federal requirements to support accurate and timely payment processing in accordance with the State Prompt Payment Act. (10%)

Requirements

Knowledge of

• Accounting, budgetary, and management principles, practices, and procedures; forecasting methodologies
• Key performance measure reporting and statistical analysis
• Automated accounting, budgeting & forecasting programs
• Performance measurement and reporting
• Legislative Appropriation Requests (LAR) and state contracting procedures
• Annual operating budget processes and performance measurement and reporting

Skill in

• Computer operations and using applicable computer software
• Presenting findings and conclusions in a specific, concise, and understandable manner
• Exercising independent judgment, completing complex work within designated deadlines with a high degree of accuracy with minimal supervision
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, managers, other Disability Determination Services (DDS), Health & Human Services (HHS), Social Security Administration (SSA) employees and the public

Ability to

• Analyze fiscal management information to determine appropriate use of funds