Budget Analyst

Performs mid-level complex work. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.Analyzes financial and operational data related to management objectives. Supports the annual budget process and works with departments to prepare budget requests. Work includes training the departments on budget documentation, conducting budget analysis, preparing reports, forecasting revenues and expenditures, and other functions related to the assigned area of responsibility. Works on special projects as assigned.

Essential Duties & Required Qualifications

• Participates in preparing the City’s annual budget and related supporting documentation including benchmarking tax base data, preparing budget agendas, preparing budget presentations, reviewing departmental budget submissions, participating in team budget reviews, and reviews departmental budgets monthly.
• Trains and supports departments on how to use the budget module and submission system.
• Assists department leaders with budget requests and performance measures.
• Ensures standards are met for budget adoption, legal requirements, and financial transparency.
• Provides analysis and evaluation of the fiscal impact of proposals for the budget.
• Reviews operating budgets to analyze trends affecting budget needs and resources.
• Prepares financial reports, budgets, graphs, charts, and other financial documents by gathering and analyzing data.
• Monitors internal and external budget performance measures. Gathers information from other organizations for benchmarking purposes.
• Reviews legislation that has a potential impact upon the financial status of the City, including property and sales tax, franchise fees, truth in taxation, court fees, other major revenue sources for the City, and any major expenditure impacts.
• Manages project variances and redistribution of project savings/overages to appropriate funds.
• Works with performance metrics to ensure GFOA Budget requirements are being met.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, economics, finance or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of full-time municipal finance or budget experience.

• A minimum combination (seven years) of education and full-time professional experience in finance/budget preparation, that provides the skills to successfully accomplish the essential functions of the job.

• Valid Class "C" Driver's License from any U.S. State. Must be able to obtain a Texas license within 90 days of hire, per state law.

• Governmental experience with fund accounting.
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, economics, finance or a related field.
• Four or more years of related experience.
• Active certification as a Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and practices of accounting including proficiency in General Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of principles and practices of budget preparation and statistical methodology.
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals.
• Ability to communicate with other employees and the public in a courteous and diplomatic manner.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Analyze situations and adopt quick, effect, and reasonable courses of action.
• Knowledge of report preparation and writing with proper punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, the public, elected officials, and boards and commissions.

Physical Demands & Additional Information

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle and feel items, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be considered.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position.

Job offer and continuation of employment with the City of Leander is contingent upon:

• Proof of education, certification(s) and experience as listed on the employment application based on the job posting requirements.
• Satisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background and driving record check.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship. *
• Compliance with the Selective Service Registration for male US citizens and immigrants, who are ages 18-25.

• The City of Leander participates in E-Verify! Information from each new employee’s Form I-9 will be provided to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confirm work authorization.

Your well-being and that of your family matters to you, and so it's important to us too. To support you and your loved ones through life's many challenges, we offer our full time employees access to a wide array of benefits including health, dental, vision, life, disability, accident, cancer, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, employee assistance, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid emergency leave, longevity pay, golf course discounts as well as generous retirement and deferred compensation programs and social security participation.

Medical
We offer two types of medical plans (a traditional PPO plan and a high deductible health plan) so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs. The premium you pay is based on which plan you select and who you cover. Covering just yourself? The City currently pays the entire employee-only premium for either plan. Covering qualified dependents in your family? Currently, we'll pay your employee premium and split the remainder of the spouse/child/family premium with you - we pay 60%; you pay 40%. That generous cost share reflects our philosophy that our employees and their families should have the best health care we can afford to provide.

Dental
Dental plans include a DMO option (no cost for employee-only coverage) and two more traditional plans whose premiums are also affordable. You can choose to cover yourself or any qualified dependents and choose which plan best suits your dental needs. Currently, for the DHMO option, we pay the employee premium and split the remainder of the spouse/child/family premiums with you – we pay 50%; you pay 50%. Under the more traditional plans, although we don't pay the entire employee-only premium, we still split the incremental dependent premiums with you 50/50.

Vision
Access to $10 eye exam co-pays and up to $150 frame and contact lens allowances make vision insurance a popular benefit among employees. Cover yourself for just a few bucks a pay period or all of your qualified dependents for not much more.

Life/AD&D
Your basic employee $15,000 term life insurance policy is paid for by the city. Accidental Death & Dismemberment under the plan would pay an additional $15,000 to your beneficiary if you die in an accident. More life insurance coverage is paid for by the City and provided through our Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) program. If that's still not enough coverage, you can purchase more life/AD&D coverage for yourself and your qualified dependents. Over the age of 65? These coverages are subject to an age reduction schedule.

Disability
Both short and long term disability plans which provide up to 60% income replacement are available to purchase at competitive rates.

Accident & Cancer
Need extra coverage for off-the-job medical injuries or a cancer diagnosis? Supplemental plans that pay cash for some of life's most unexpected events are available for purchase.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Want to set aside some pre-tax dollars for health care expenses or dependent care expenses? If you select the traditional EPO medical coverage, you can set aside pre-tax money for medical expenses through the City's Section 125 medical FSA plan, which is managed by an outside carrier. You can do the same for dependent day care expenses, regardless of which medical plan you select.

Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
The high deductible health care plan has its own provisions for pre-tax health savings (HSA) so you can set aside money for your qualified health care expenses. The City will add $1000 to your health savings account to get you started each plan year.

Employee Assistance Program
We know that sometimes your needs are much different than a doctor visit or a prescription, so the City pays for a generous employee assistance program through Alliance to help you or any household member with counseling, legal referrals or simply a safe ride home.

Holidays
The City has thirteen designated holidays each year.

Vacation Leave
Most full time, regular employees (excluding firefighters on a 24 hour shift schedule and department heads) accrue 3.69 hours of vacation time each pay period and are eligible to use that time after just six months of employment. The longer you work for the city, the more vacation time you receive, with those accrual rates going up at 4, 9 and 14 years of service. Never use your vacation time? Don't worry; you can bank up to two times your annual accrued hours before you stop accruing.

Sick Leave
As a full time regular employee (excluding firefighters on a 24 hour shift), you accrue 3.69 hours of sick leave each pay period, which you are eligible to use after your first pay period with the city. You can also continue to build your sick leave balance up to 480 hours for those unexpected emergencies.

Longevity Pay
Regular full-time employees after they've been employed for one year or more are eligible for an annual payout of $5 for every month of City service. So, while that first year $60 check might not seem like a ton of money, that $1500 check (minus taxes of course) for your 25 years of service which is paid around Thanksgiving will likely help you feel very thankful for a little extra cash for Christmas shopping.

Retirement
All regular full-time employees participate in our Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Your 7% investment each payroll period is matched 2 to 1 by the City and is vested at 5 years. You can retire at age 60 with 5 or more years of service or younger if you have at least 20 years of service. You can also receive service credit for certain types of military service. The City's TMRS plan is one of the most generous retirement plans around.

Deferred Compensation
If saving 7% with a 2 to 1 match through TMRS isn't enough to meet your financial goals, you can stash even more on a pre-tax basis through the City's 457 plan. Start or stop saving at any time – up to $18,000 annually if you're under 50, and up to $24,000 if you're older.

Social Security
City of Leander employees also participate in the social security system under FICA regulations.

Golf Course
We have a gorgeous golf course. Want to learn how to play? As a City employee you can play for 50% off. Check it out!