BUDGET ANALYST III

Budget Analyst

The purpose of this position is to assist in developing and maintaining the annual budget for the County and to administer the salary and benefits section of the County budget. Incumbents focus on complex and advanced analysis in a single department or program but work toward more complex analysis for multiple departments and programs. Incumbents in this position will report directly to the Director of Budget and will provide general oversight to lower and mid-level Budget Analysts.

Examples of Duties

• Assists in development, recommendation, and publication of County's budget process; reviews existing plans; reviews departmental operating budget requests; makes recommendations regarding funding levels; analyzes and estimates revenue and expense trends; identifies and recommends alternatives; assists with publishing budget documents for assigned departments; organizes and writes assigned sections; and assists with budget presentations at public meetings, to the Board of Commissioners, and to the County Manager's Office.
• Monitors budgetary compliance; conducts monthly reviews comparing budget to department reports; ensures compliance with approved budget; identifies potential problems and informs supervisor, department heads, and program administrators; recommends solutions; and compiles related reports.
• Oversee the daily work and tasks of lower and mid-level Budget Analysts; serve as department point of contact in the absence of the department director; assist with employee evaluations and employee counseling.
• Administers salary and benefits section of the County budget; develops and maintains personnel spreadsheets, including job titles, salaries, salary savings, and benefits; tracks filled and unfilled positions; reviews and approves or denies personnel action forms to ensure compliance with approved budget.
• Processes budget transactions; reviews and approves or denies purchase requisitions, check requests, purchase order increases, budget transfers, education and training payments, and related items; sets up and balances projects and accounts; and ensures budget transactions are in compliance with approved budget.
• Assists in preparation of agenda items for budget transactions authorized by the Board of Commissioners; reviews assigned department's submitted agenda for accuracy, clarity, grammar, format, required information, and available funding; initiates corrective actions; creates funding statements; and creates Financial System files to process approved budget transfers.
• Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures; receives and reviews various documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards, or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.
• Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.
• Communicates with County officials and administrators, supervisor, other County employees, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Reviews the departmental budgets and monitors their assigned expenditures while preparing accurate reports that estimate future financial needs.
• Assist in other aspects of the Financial Services Division when needed
• Prepares presentations for the Board of Commissioners' meetings, or as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, or related field; and five (5) years of related experience in accounting or closely related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

None.

Special Requirements:

None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of local government operations, Budget related programs, policies and plans, and modern office practices and procedures.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other similar programs.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications related to the essential functions of the job.
• Skill in effective communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to meet and deal with employees and the public in an effective and courteous manner.
• Ability to get along with others and work effectively with the public and co-workers.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evening meetings.
• Ability to multi-task and work within deadlines.
• Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive matters.
• Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and accounting purposes.
• Ability to operate a copying machine.

Physical Demands

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuity.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment.