FINANCIAL ANALYST III

Financial Analyst III

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) is seeking a Financial Analyst III to join the Management & Finance Division. The Financial Analyst III provides advanced financial analysis, budget development, forecasting, reporting, and financial management support to HPARD leadership and operating divisions.

The position will:

• Analyze financial information, monitor budgets and expenditures, identify trends and variances, prepare financial projections and reports, and provide recommendations to support sound financial and operational decision-making.
• Serve as team lead in preparing the department's annual governmental funds budget, coordinating data collection and ensuring accuracy throughout the budget development process.
• Compile and analyze various financial reports and budget forecasts, presenting key findings to leadership for annual budget discussions.
• Prepare Monthly Financial Operating Reports (MFOR) for five funds using MFORPrep software and identified discrepancies by reconciling results against the Finance Department's straight-line projections.
• Prepare monthly Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) report that analyzes annual staffing metrics against planned projections, detailing variances in staffing levels and percentages.
• Develop quarterly financial projections for payroll and operating expenses, analyzing data for 5 funds totaling over $108 million.
• Monitor daily financial transactions in SAP, research discrepancies, and prepare journal entries to correct posting errors.
• Analyze utility data (electric, water/sewer, and natural gas) and prepared ad hoc financial reports and spreadsheets for end-user's to support management decision-making.
• Serve as the backup Purchasing Card (P-Card) Coordinator by managing cardholder statements, updating transactions in JPMorgan PaymentNet based on submitted documentation, coordinating with the Strategic Procurement Division to resolve account coding, grant fund, and internal order discrepancies, and preparing year-end purchasing card accruals for processing.
• Serve as back-up Cost Center Approver ensuring expenditures comply with budgetary and financial policies.
• Prepare budget transfers, posting journal entries, and quarterly OBB performance submissions to the Financial Planning & Analysis Division.
• Collaborate with multiple departments to collect, analyze, and report financial data for capital and operating expenditures, including TPL survey reporting.
• Apply advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve complex financial issues while maintaining compliance with governmental accounting standards.
• Communicate financial information clearly through written reports, presentations, and collaboration with divisions.

The position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking and standing. There are occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less-than-optimal temperature and air conditions. The position may involve dealing with modestly unpleasant situations, such as occasional exposure to office chemicals and/or extensive use of a video display terminal etc.

Minimum Requirements

Educational Requirements Requires a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field. Experience Requirements Three years of professional experience in finance, economics, budget analysis or a closely related area are required.

Substitution: Experience cannot be substituted for the Bachelor's degree requirement. A Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field may be substituted for two years of the above experience requirement. License Requirements None

Preferences

• Experience preparing financial forecasts and projections.
• Experience performing budget-to-actual and variance analysis.
• Experience using SAP or a comparable enterprise financial management system.
• Experience preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Experience with personnel expenditure and FTE analysis.
• Experience with purchasing, procurement, or Purchasing Card administration.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience presenting financial information and recommendations to management.
• Experience working with multiple divisions, departments, or stakeholders.
• Experience leading financial projects or process-improvement initiatives.

General Information

Selection/Skills Tests Required The selection process will involve application review and/or interview. Safety Impact Position YES If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test. Salary Information Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification. Pay Grade 21 Application Procedures Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during posting opening and closing dates shown. Applications must be submitted online at: To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: or call View phone number on click.appcast.io. If you need special services or accommodations, call View phone number on click.appcast.io) or (TTY 7-1-1). If you need login assistance or technical support call View phone number on click.appcast.io. Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process. All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided. EOE Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

Benefits

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Supplemental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Retirement pension
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year
• 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
• Compensable Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Flexible schedules
• Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation/parking plan
• Section 125 pretax deductions
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account