Budget Analyst

Budget Analyst

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking an experienced Budget Analyst who is detail-oriented, motivated, possesses excellent analytical and communication skills and excels under deadlines and time constraints. Our applicant will work in the Department's Central Office as part of a team and will have the ability to work independently to accomplish the goals and objectives assigned to the position. The Budget Analyst provides assistance and guidance on financial, staffing, and programmatic planning for assigned areas of responsibility. Utilizing Microsoft Access, Excel, and other software, this position is responsible for analyzing data from state and agency databases to identify trends in the agency's programs and expenditures. This position compiles information for management use for automated records, cost accounting reports, and other sources, and disseminates this information in the form of financial and narrative reports, manuals, charts and graphs. The Budget Analyst will assist in forecasting DMH's expenditures using historical and projected program data and will work with DMH senior management and program staff to incorporate policy assumptions into administrative planning.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive): Forecasts payroll spending and FTE tracking using Human Resource Compensation Management System (HRCMS) and Labor Cost Management (LCM). Monitors and reviews program expenditure data using knowledge of the agency business, its mandates, structure, programs, policy decisions and any other relevant regulations and laws to determine and forecast fiscal opportunities and problems. Conducts data gathering, analyses (including variance determination and reconciliations) and presentation (verbal and written) activities, including summary memoranda. Tracks expenditures and communicates that information to appropriate staff on a regular basis; produces and reviews monthly expenditure reporting. Identifies potential areas for management intervention to address opportunities for improved cost management. Coordinates assigned unit activities to ensure effective operations and compliance with standards while performing quality control and reconciliation tasks. Partners with other Divisions within the department on financial and program matters which impact a service Area's resources. Evaluates the fiscal impact of legislative, regulatory, reimbursement or management policies. Prepares Ad Hoc reports and projects (some in memorandum form) on the financial status of areas, and other reports as specified by supervisor. Oversees the technical aspect of area's budget development; coordinates, designs, and develops forms and instructions for Areas to develop spending plans. Maintains current knowledge and trends on new software packages as well as learning how to use this software in order to be proficient in data collection and analysis. Conducts variance analyses and produces summary memoranda of results, providing analysis of trends and changes. Consults with management to determine the need for special studies; defines their purposes, scope and methodology; conducts studies of DMH's administrative procedures and analysis of fiscal, personnel and other administrative data; and identifies issues.

Required Qualifications: Experience with practices of financial data management, including financial analysis budgeting, forecasting, information recording and processing as it relates to human service programs. Excellent analytical and communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to determine the methods to be used in conducting studies including the forms and instruments to be used in collecting information. Capacity to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Skilled in exercising a high degree of initiative, judgment, discretion, confidentiality and decision making to achieve objectives. Preferred Qualifications: General understanding of budgeting/accounting principles and practices applied to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS). Prior experience working with MOSAIC, HRCMS (HRIS), and LCM systems. Familiarity of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing expenditures of state and federal funds; knowledge of the state budget process is a plus. Critical thinking skills, using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Excel, Access, Word, Outlook and/or other programs used for data gathering and analysis. Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.