Financial Analyst

Financial Analyst

Join our team as a Financial Analyst! Santa Margarita Water District is seeking two collaborative and analytical professionals to join our team as Financial Analysts. These positions will support District-wide financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and strategic decision-making. The Financial Analysts will develop complex financial models, evaluate financial performance, support rate-setting and cash-management activities, and translate detailed financial information into clear recommendations. If you thrive on solving complex problems, improving financial processes, and using data to support essential public services, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact!

The Financial Analyst performs complex financial, statistical, economic, and operational analyses in a public agency environment. Working under the general direction of the Finance Manager, the position supports budget monitoring, financial reporting, cost-of-service and Proposition 218 rate analyses, cash forecasting, investments, debt, grants, loans, and long-term planning. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, adaptable, and comfortable managing changing priorities while collaborating across departments, supporting financial-system improvements, and communicating technical information clearly to a variety of audiences.

Santa Margarita Water District is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering high-quality potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to its 200,000 customers across Southern Orange County. As one of the region's largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Our people drive our progress, innovation, and results. Our collaborative, human-first culture fosters the sense of fun, comradery, and a rewarding sense of purpose as we do work that matters.

Dynamic teams of intelligent individuals work collaboratively to achieve SMWD's goals and solve challenges with a common aim that fosters a unique bond that is not often found in governmental agencies. The District employs approximately 320 employees and operates with one represented bargaining unit.

Santa Margarita Water District's values include: Exemplary service excellence, Intelligent innovation that is forward-thinking and adaptive, Ethical fiscal responsibility and transparency, Environmental and resource stewardship, Employee development and leadership training, Building relationships that strengthen communities.

What You Will Do

• Participates in short and long range financial and strategic planning meetings and builds databases and financial models to reflect information gathered from public agency sources, master plans, published economic and market data, and District strategic direction and projections and forecasts.
• Performs a variety of research, analysis and reporting duties including conducting complex research and analysis on various segments of the District's operations; collects and analyzes data including statistical information on current District practices, policies and procedures; identifies, investigates and makes recommendations for improvements as necessary; performs cost benefit analysis and project return analysis; evaluates reserve levels and adequacy for capital and pension long term requirements; and prepares necessary reports including staff reports.
• Creates reports for departments using financial reporting software or specialized report writers; provides complex technical assistance, training and staff support including answering questions on the use of, or resolving problems with, the financial reporting software or report writers; coordinates with internal staff and vendor support to resolve problems with financial software.
• Creates and updates cost of service analysis and rate structure setting models annually consistent with Proposition 218 requirements, including comparing various rate scenarios. Collaborates with outside rate consultants.
• Assists with data gathering for annual property assessment analyses.
• Reviews bonds, grants, and loan applications; coordinates with appropriate departments to help collect necessary information to submit application to issuing agency. Reviews final documents prior to closing.
• Collects monthly, quarterly and year-end financial reporting packages and provides analytical support to be included in presentations to the Board; identifies relevant business Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) ensuring they are reflected in monthly financial reporting; analyzes the District's balance sheet, net position, and cash flow position; assumes responsibility for analyzing and preparing other financial reports as required for District special projects.
• Analyzes cash needs management and forecasted cash position, monitors financial market data, and assists with in-house investment decisions and interacts with outside financial investment advisor to maximize returns while maintaining safety and liquidity.
• Monitors budgeted expenditures for assigned departments on a monthly basis; discusses budget variances with department directors and managers; compiles the District-wide variance reports for management review; ensures the accuracy of ad hoc financial analyses.
• Provides technical and administrative assistance for gathering and programming specialized reports to extract business data for staff, Board, and Committees; researches, prepares and presents technical, fiscal, and administrative studies, surveys and reports; supports the creation of the Board and Finance Committee agenda packages; and attends Board and Committee meetings as assigned.
• Assists with the Enterprise Resource Plan systems implementation by reviewing processes and ensuring best practices. Stays current with financial systems technology in order to ascertain the most efficient system improvements and assists IT with the implementation of technological advances for financial reporting.
• Assists with the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and other special reports for the District.

What You Bring

• Complex financial forecasting principles used in the development of financial plans, budget documents, and administration. Theory, principles, practices and techniques of public agency financing and budget development and implementation.
• Applicable state and federal laws and regulations governing budgeting and financing of public utilities and special districts, including Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Generally Accepted Accounting principles (GAAP) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) principles applicable to public entities.
• Computer tools and software, particularly as related to sophisticated statistical analysis, modeling, data management and manipulation.
• Financial, statistical, investment and comparative analysis techniques and formulae.
• District policies, procedures and practices regarding investments and financial management.
• Principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work.
• Uses and operations of computers, standard business software and specialized database and spreadsheet applications.

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in finance, accounting, business or public administration or a closely related field, and two years of increasingly responsible analytical experience in fiscal services. Experience with a public utility or government agency is preferred. A master's degree in business administration or economics is highly desired.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements: Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance program.

Benefits

Santa Margarita Water District offers a comprehensive benefit package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision and life insurance; and a variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM: As a public agency, the Santa Margarita Water District has enrolled in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) for retirement benefits. The retirement formula and required employee contribution may vary based on employment status. HEALTH INSURANCE: The District contracts with the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from PPO or HMO plans. Medical premiums for plans in an amount up to or equal to the highest HMO are paid for by the District for all full-time employees. The District shares the cost of medical insurance for dependents with the employee. Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status.

DENTAL INSURANCE: The District provides dental insurance for all full-time regular employees. Optional dependent dental coverage is available at the District's rates. Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status.

VISION INSURANCE: The District provides each full-time employee and their eligible dependents with vision insurance through Vision Service Plan (VSP). Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status.

LIFE INSURANCE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT: The District provides term-life insurance for all full-time employees through VOYA with Employee benefits equaling 2 1/2 times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $200,000. Adjustments are made based on the employee's salary. Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP): The District provides all employees and their dependents with an EAP that provides confidential, professional assistance with a variety of services such as legal/financial concerns, ID recovery, mental health, and more.

GENERAL LEAVE ACCRUAL: General leave is a multi-purpose leave providing for vacations, personal affairs, and non-job related illness/injuries.

• First year through five-year anniversary date of continuous employment: 11.