Senior Budget Analyst

Actively supports and upholds the City’s stated mission and values.  Employees of this class are expected to exercise independent judgment, initiative, and professional skills for the day-to-day assignments of the budget program, revenue planning and analysis.  Duties range from routine assignments to project management including budget research and preparation, long range planning, revenue and expenditure analysis, priority-based budgeting support and in general, helping assure that the budget program follows GAAP and GASB standards, principles, and guidelines to ensure accountability and transparency.

In addition, employees are expected to exercise considerable judgement, initiative, and professional skills in budget administration, knowledge of acceptable accounting practices, and assisting with the annual budget process.

• Supervisory:   This job does not have any formal supervisory responsibility.
• Budgetary:   This job has partial responsibility for budgeting including reviewing, reconciling, and adjusting division budgets.   Incumbents are responsible for having a basic knowledge of 10-year plans to allow for better forecasting.
• Strategic Planning:  This job does not have strategic planning responsibilities but carries out day-to-day activities in order to reach the stated goals and objectives.
• Policies/Procedures:  This job does not have any responsibility for implementing policies/procedures.
• Compliance:   This job has partial responsibility for ensuring compliance requirements are met for the annual budget and are presented in accordance with state statutes, federal laws, and City policies and procedures.  
• Council Communications:  This job does not have any direct responsibility for Council communication.
• Reporting:   This job has partial responsibility for preparing the annual budget in accordance with Government Finance Officers Association budget reporting standards.

• Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.
• Complies with various budget reporting requirements.
• Develops, analyzes and evaluates the City's budget, including the personnel, operating budget, capital improvement program (CIP), Priority Based Budgeting, and the budget management and reporting system.
• Prepares analytical and budgetary comparative information for presentation to staff, Council, and the public.
• Researches and assists in the preparation of short and long-range revenue and expenditure forecasts; supports complex forecast models and identifies revenue sources necessary to finance capital projects.
• Research economic indicators, analyzes factors and trends and makes recommendations regarding the City's ability to finance general personnel, operations and capital improvement projects.
• Provides advice and technical assistance to divisions by resolving budget issues.
• Supports and provides training in the preparation, presentation and monitoring of annual budgets. 
• Prepares and reviews assigned elements of the annual budget document.
• Performs research and analysis on identified special projects as assigned.
• Attends management meetings to provide presentations and support to divisions related to budgetary information. 
• Analyzes the completeness and accuracy of prepared budget data provided by divisions.
• Supports the Budget Section and assists other budget staff in answering general questions relating to budget policies, procedures, and operations.
• Adhere to established accounting standards and City of Flagstaff deadlines on assigned tasks.
• Prepares analytical and budgetary comparative information to be presented to staff, Council, and the public.
• Assists with the preparation of the annual budget including division review, City Manager review, Council review and final budget documents.
• Provides support for city-wide user fee and rate study analysis and development.
• Work in a team-based environment requiring problem solving skills and teamwork.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• Three years of professional budgeting and/or general accounting experience.
• Two years of experience in analytics and forecasting for revenues and/or expenditures.
• Or any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to the above minimum requirements.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Experience in analytics and forecasting for revenues and expenditures.
• One year of experience in governmental budgeting.
• Experience in writing reports related to budget.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess, or obtain upon employment, a valid Arizona driver’s license.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

• Language Skills:  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.   Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from city staff.
• Mathematical Skills:  Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Reasoning Ability:  Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or visual form.  Ability to solve problems involving several concrete variables in a systematic way effectively and efficiently.
• Thorough knowledge of the general principles and practices of municipal budgeting, and various budgeting processes and procedures.
• Ability to apply generally accepted accounting principles and theory to the municipal budget preparation process.
• Ability to apply accounting principles and standards at all technical levels.
• Ability to make independent decisions as they may relate to municipal budget.
• Ability to support the planning, assignments, and review the work of budget staff.
• Ability to support the training of budget staff.
• Ability to effectively resolve operational and personnel problems.
• Ability to use good judgment and make difficult independent decisions with limited direct supervision.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger/handle/feel, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, and walk, and is occasionally required to stoop/kneel/crouch/crawl.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Vision requirements for this position include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• There are no special working conditions for this position.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Salary : $34 - $51