Budget Analyst I

Under general supervision, performs analytical and budgetary control work for the County’s Finance Department - Budget Division. Work involves assisting in the coordination, preparation, development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the County’s operating and capital improvement budgets. Duties include assisting in: budget formulation, presentation, analysis reporting, research, development and preparation of budget-related documents. Employee is responsible for monitoring revenue and expenditure patterns and recommending corrective actions. Budget Analyst positions are part of a career-ladder structure. Reports to the Budget Manager and / or Chief Financial Officer.

This is an ideal entry-level position for a recent college graduate. Budget Analyst positions are part of a career-ladder structure with growth potential intentionally built in as the employee learns and grows within the public finance field.

• Assists in the preparation of the preliminary and final formulation, presentation and administration of the recommended annual operating and capital improvement budgets.
• Assists in the development of budget preparation materials for County Departments. Provides direction, assistance and guidance as needed. Explains policies, procedures and budget related issues which need to be considered in the budget development process.
• Assists in analyzing current and past operating expenditures and developing future expenditure estimates.
• Assists in the monitoring, updating, and status reporting of the County’s operating and capital improvement budgets.
• Researches and develops memoranda and agenda items regarding policies, procedures, and budget information.
• Prepares charts, statistical information, and other materials for use in presenting, illustrating, and supporting findings and recommendations.
• Responds to inquiries by departments, outside agencies, and citizens on the County budget process, current status, and related activity.
• Assists in coordinating the establishment of performance measures and indicators for existing and new County activities; evaluating the appropriateness of measures and indicators; and assists departments in the development of valid data collection methodologies.
• Assists in the preparation of supporting budget documentation, including revenue projections, statistical data and other fiscal information. Assists in the writing, developing, recommending, and interpretation of financial policies.
• Assists in writing and editing the recommended and adopted budget documents in accordance with County policies and Government Finance Officer Association (GFOA) standards.
• Assists in coordinating the publication of the recommended and adopted budget documents with outside vendors.
• Provides guidance, information, and interpretation to County administrators and staff regarding budgetary and financial issues.
• Trains County staff in new or revised budgetary procedures, including use of financial system.
• Participates in budget planning meetings with County Administration.
• Performs other related duties as required.
  
  

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field. Two (2) years of responsible experience performing budget development, analysis, and reporting in a public sector environment and experience developing performance measures for varied programs and services is preferred, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public finance administration and of budget development, analysis and reporting.
• Ability to use Microsoft Excel, Word, and Power Point.
• Knowledge of standard research techniques, methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and policies concerning County fiscal operations.
• Knowledge of the operations of County government including taxation and other sources of revenue.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of statistics with particular reference to their application to financial, budgetary and operational activities.
• Knowledge of trends, developments in the field of public finance and budget administration.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Ability to assist in the preparation, development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the County’s operating and capital budgets.
• Ability to research and analyze revenue and expenditure patterns; to identify needed corrective actions and budget related recommendations; and to prepare reports, presentation materials and other supporting documents to explain analytical findings and recommendations.
• Ability to provide advice, guidance, and explanations to the Board of Supervisors, administration, and staff regarding budget-related issues.
• Ability to assist in developing performance measures for varied County programs and services; and provide assistance to departments in developing data collection methods and performance indicators.
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise tact, courtesy, and firmness when in contact with County officials, administration, coworkers, and the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving, and acting upon instructions from immediate supervisor.
• Ability to read budgetary and financial documents, expenditure and revenue reports, financial summaries, manuals, procedures, policies, regulations, correspondence, etc.
• Ability to prepare budgetary and financial documents, expenditure and revenue reports, financial summaries, presentation materials to support analyses and recommendations, correspondence and other administrative documents.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagrammatic or schedule form.
• Ability to maintain high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively using government budgeting terminology.
• Ability to use mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; to determine percentages and decimals; to compute interest and ratios; perform algebraic operations and statistical calculations.
• Ability to effectively deal with people beyond giving and receiving instruction. Must be adaptable to performing under stress in a fast-pace environment.
• Ability to communicate professionally and respectfully.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Must be able to operate a variety of office machines to include computers, calculators, copier, and facsimile. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of colors. Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken works. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone and email.