Senior Budget & Grants Analyst

Senior Budgets and Grants Analyst

Under the general direction of the Director of Budgets & Grants (or their designee), the Senior Budgets and Grants Analyst is responsible for advanced budget planning, financial analysis, and fiscal oversight in support of the HART's operations. This role leads complex budget development efforts, ensures compliance with applicable laws and funding requirements, and provides actionable financial insights to support leadership decision-making. The Senior Budgets and Grants Analyst also mentor other analysts and departmental staff to strengthen organizational capacity and improve overall budget competency.

Essential Job Functions:

• Lead development, coordination, and consolidation of annual operating and capital budgets across departments or divisions.
• Conduct detailed financial and variance analysis to support policy decisions, resource allocation, and long-term financial planning.
• Creates, prepares, monitors, maintains, and analyzes the annual capital and operating budgets.
• Monitor expenditures for compliance with organizational policies, state and federal regulations, appropriations, and grant requirements.
• Compiles annual budget requests submitted by divisions and partners with the Board, CFO, and Procurement to determine need and approval.
• Collaborates with other departments and prepares all budget documents, system(s) updates, and communications to include annual budget calendar, executive summary, presentations, the budget books, the public hearing Board script & resolutions and the budget, payroll and financial systems.
• Provide technical support to departments throughout the budget formulation, monitoring, and adjustment processes.
• Assist with developing, revising, and implementing budget policies, procedures, and internal controls to improve efficiency and transparency.
• Identify financial risks, cost-saving opportunities, and process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Prepare documentation and respond to requests during audits, compliance reviews, and board presentations.
• Generate and distribute monthly budget to actual reports to all division chiefs and directors and provide detailed analyses and explanations of variances to administration upon request.
• Manages and updates Capital and Operating Budget to Actual and spreadsheets and reports.
• Participate in monthly and ad hoc departmental budget meetings and attend Board/Committee Meetings when necessary.
• Prepare budget-related advertisements (i.e.: HC Impact Fees and Florida Department of Revenue (TRIM) for Notice of Tax Increase and Budget Summary Ads, Program of Projects) and coordinate with HART Marketing and external agencies to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Review and disposition of "Overbudget" requisitions, as the alternate approver to Director of Budgets and Grants and assist in the coding of proper g/l accounts.
• Compile annual Cost Allocation Plan Model for bus, paratransit, and streetcar operation data, and prepare analysis.
• Serve as a liaison, establishes and maintains a cooperative relationship between HART and the external agencies on issues related to the areas of assigned responsibilities.
• Compile, maintain, research and interpret a variety of records, databases, logs and perform monthly and quarterly account analysis and reconciliations.
• Prepare and submit a variety of complex and/or special annual required reports, projections, budget revisions, reconciliations, communications, schedules, statements to internal departments and external agencies that include capital and operating revenue and expense projections; monthly fund balance reports by funding source, assigned project managers, activity line items; encumbrances, grants payment registers, audit schedules and other related financial reports.
• Maintain and balance journals and specialized schedules. Manage and coordinate the distribution of grant financial data to internal staff and external parties.

Marginal Functions:

• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Business Administration, or related field plus Five (5) years of professional level accounting, budget administration, finance experience or other related experience.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring or developing staff.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, budget software, and analytical tools such as Excel.

Machines, Tools, & Equipment Used:

• Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems, as well as a computer for Microsoft Office or other administrative and financial software.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Certified Government Finance Manager or equivalent government certification preferred.
• Certified public accountant preferred.
• Valid Florida Driver's License or be able to obtain one within in 10 days of hire of moving to the State of Florida.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Standard office practices, procedures and use of equipment.
• Operating computers and other applicable software; Microsoft Office Suite 2010 or higher, to include MS Outlook, MS Excel, MS Word, MS Access.
• Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains and other automated financial systems.
• Knowledge of General Ledger, Chart of accounts, G/L set ups.
• Public administration and management principles, practices and procedures.
• Federal, state and local regulations regarding transportation and transit activities.
• Financial control practices and procedures.
• Financial planning, analysis, graphics, pivot tables and budgeting.
• Operating and capital governmental budget preparation and monitoring procedures.
• Governmental accounting procedures, practices and guidelines.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Auditing methods and procedures.
• Rules, regulations, procedures and functions of the Authority.
• Effective verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize and prioritize duties as needed; meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to perform at a professional level in a dynamic and high-pressure work environment that requires the incumbent to be sensitive to change and responsive to modifying goals, priorities, as needed.
• Ability to lead budget processes, coordinate across multiple departments, and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to mentor, train, and guide staff with varying levels of financial experience.
• Ability to apply sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and uphold organizational and regulatory standards.
• Ability to analyze financial trends, identify risks, and recommend corrective actions.
• Ability to work independently while managing concurrent projects.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Effective skills to review, analyze and interpret fiscal records.
• Ability to record, analyze, verify, reconcile and report financial transactions.
• Ability to preparation of complete, concise, clear and accurate reports.
• High acuity at detailed work involving complex written data and numerical calculations.
• Analyze, develop and apply standard operating and financial procedures.
• Assist in the development of large public sector budgets.
• Expert knowledge to interpret and apply legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to maintain records and manage or administer grant funds.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment. Incumbent may sometimes be in a confined space or warehouse environment.
• Ability to hear, see, speak, and perceive color, depth and texture.
• Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects (supplies, equipment or other) up to 25 pounds.

It is the responsibility of all HART employees to provide a safe and secure environment for HART customers, contractors, visitors and fellow co-workers. HART employees are also responsible for:

• Adhering to stated policies and procedures relating to health and safety, security, and quality management.
• Recognizing and reporting all accidents and hazardous conditions.
• Assisting in the development of workplace safety procedures for their respective departments.
• Promoting workplace safety procedures within their department.
• Adhering to procedures relating to the proper use and care of equipment and materials for which the role has responsibility.

The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

EEO Compliance: HART is committed

Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART)