Financial Analyst

Finance Department Accountant

The Finance Department works in office Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm. Remote work is generally limited to reasonable exceptions.

Under the general supervision of the Finance Director, perform professional accounting and financial analysis functions including: the preparation of financial statements and reports; internal audits; financial analysis; cost allocation and rate models; and cash management, budget preparation and investing functions.

Perform a variety of professional-level accounting functions and financial analysis for the City; serve as a technical resource to other City staff on a variety of budgeting, accounting, and analytical needs.

Prepare financial statements for the City, including research and analyze data, resolve differences, prepare corrections, compile statements, and required footnotes, statistic tables, schedules, and other supplemental information as required.

Assist in the preparation of the City's budget: review and understand department budgets for each functional area; check budget submittal for reasonableness and accuracy; follow up with departmental staff for additional information; provide general assistance to departments.

Assist with the maintenance of chart of accounts: set up new accounts and related system codes based on state prescribed account coding strategies; delete obsolete or old accounts that are no longer needed in the system; ensure changes are consistent and correct for financial system and other interfacing systems.

Assist with banking and treasury functions: perform complex monthly bank reconciliations, prepare analysis and journal entries related to investments. Prepare daily, weekly, or monthly activity entries.

Prepare journal entries for City accounts: review monthly transactions for reasonableness and accuracy; prepare appropriate journal entries to record activity and correct discrepancies and errors.

Prepare a variety of special reports and analyses as requested.

Maintain fixed asset records including inventory, depreciation and disposal.

Perform grant accounting and administration; oversee grant project accounting assuring compliance with state and federal regulations; work with outside auditors as necessary.

Prepare internal and external financial reports.

Assist the annual financial audit by researching and providing appropriate data; coordinate with other City staff when needed.

Understand and monitor appropriate applications of financial and administrative policies and procedures as related to financial accounting and budgeting.

Establish and maintain various schedules to assist revenue an expenditure forecasts, management control, and early error detection in the system.

Perform special analyses and related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience: Any combination equivalent to: a Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, finance or a related field and two to four years professional-level accounting and/or financial analysis experience. Governmental accounting experience highly preferred.

Certifications such as the Association of Government Accountants' CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager), Government Finance Officers Association's CPFO (Certified Public Finance Officer), Association of Public Treasurers of US and Canada's CPFA (Certified Public Finance Administrator) and Government Investment Officers Association's CGIP (Certified Government Investment Professional) are preferred but not required.

Knowledge of: Governmental accounting, fixed assets accounting, project and grant accounting, general financial accounting, and cost accounting principles.

Financial analysis and research techniques.

Laws, rules and regulations related to accounting in Washington State government operations.

Proficient with Excel, including formulas and macros and other computer applications commonly used by accounting professionals, such as Word, Access, PowerPoint, or the equivalent productivity software. Knowledge of Crystal Reports or other report writer software desired.

Governmental budgeting and environmental practices.

Internal control and other auditing procedures.

Oral and written communication skills.

Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.

Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.

Other technical aspects of field of specialty.

City organization, operations, policies and objectives.

Cash management and investing procedures and regulations.

Ability to: Prepare, analyze, and reconcile variances in the City's budget and financial statements.

Analyze financial documents/information and draw appropriate conclusions.

Organize, layout and verify financial information.

Perform fiscal and program analysis and make appropriate recommendations.

Provide assistance to City departments in budget preparation.

Utilize computers and software to produce and audit reports.

Compose reports, narratives and statistical charts explaining operating results.

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Review financial reports, identify and correct errors.

Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

Work efficiently and effectively.

Plan and organize work and projects.

Physical ability to perform the essential job functions.

Demonstrated ability to positively and effectively interact with diverse individuals to accomplish a common goal.

Work is performed primarily in an office environment, typically sitting at a desk for long periods of time. Employee may be exposed to noise from basic office equipment operation.