Financial Analyst Lead For Child Care And Out Of School Time

This position will lead and manage the financial planning and execution of a new Travis County initiative with a team that will strategically implement the Voter Approved Fund for Child Care and Out-of-School Time Programming. Under general guidance from the Sr. Finance Manager, along with collaboration and input from the Strategic Advisor leading the initiative, the Financial Analyst Lead is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating all financial aspects of the initiative.

The Financial Analyst Lead performs a wide range of professional financial and budgetary analysis using standardized methods and procedures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Federal, State and Local laws and policies. Oversees collection of, analyzes, researches, documents, interprets, audits and reports financial data. Prepares financial statements and standardized and special reports for activities, such as financial reporting, budgeting, revenue estimation, grants, purchasing, contracts, payroll, and other accounting transactions. Functions as a lead worker over lower level financial and other staff and provides technical advice and assistance to staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is the third in a series of four professional financial analyst-related job classifications within the Finance job family.  Incumbents typically perform a wide range of highly complex professional financial analysis duties that require the application of standard financial theories, principles and techniques, and require the appropriate skill levels including intermediate to advanced skill levels in computer, analytical and communication skills. This classification is distinguished from the other financial analyst job classifications in that incumbents are typically responsible for the most complex financial analysis functions and lead or supervise lower level financial or other staff. Duties require an extensive degree of initiative and independent judgment. This classification typically performs duties at a department or office level. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

• Leads or supervises activities of subordinate financial and/or other staff. Plans, directs, organizes and schedules the activities of a financial function or functional areas. Assigns work, trains or facilitates training, provides technical expertise and assistance to staff, and provides input into and may evaluate subordinate performance. Reviews the work of assigned staff.

• Manages and oversees: overall procurement planning and implementation, programmatic fund management

• Manages and oversees financial staff for the executed contracts to ensure fiscal compliance on all expenditures. 

• Consults with IT leadership on building and maintaining contract management, tracking, and analytic tools such as databases, dashboards and reports.

• Prepares specialized financial reports by preparing periodic internal and external financial documents, supporting schedules and financial reports. Researches, compiles, monitors and summarizes financial information and data and reports on financial condition for higher level management.

• Conducts and/or leads the conduct of financial analysis by monitoring, reviewing and analyzing current and historical financial and budget information. Analyzes trends, prepares financial forecasts, summarizes and interprets the results of financial analysis, provides possible alternatives for consideration and makes recommendations for optimal strategies and actions.

• Prepares budget reports by researching, compiling, monitoring and summarizing current and historical budget information and data. Monitors the budget and reports on budget variances. Prepares budget transfers, as required. Participates in preparing annual budget submission.

• Oversees the preparation, processing and maintenance of all financial transactions and documents activities, such as financial reporting, budget, revenue estimation, grants, purchasing, contracts, payroll, and other financial transactions. Maintains accounting ledgers, documents and accounts, and reviews, verifies and reconciles accounting transactions.

• Develops and maintains computer spreadsheet models, databases and queries. Designs and maintains spreadsheets and databases to support standard and specialized financial operations. Conducts project and division specific financial analysis. Prepares, updates and maintains monthly financial activity reports, spreadsheets and ledgers. Maintains financial data and records.

• Responds to financial inquiries from management and staff, other County fiscal representatives and the public. Provides technical assistance to staff in developing and maintaining grants, proposals, contracts, payroll, and other operations having financial implications.

• Develops strategic and tactical financial plans. Develops, recommends and implements financial policies, procedures and strategies.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting or a directly related field AND seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional level financial analysis or accounting experience. Master's degree in Finance, Accounting or a directly related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

None required.

Preferred:

Lead or supervisory experience.

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Experience in social services procurement and/or child care and/or out-of-school time funding.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• County procurement processes
• Management and supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and standardized financial, accounting and auditing practices.
• Budget planning, development, preparation and monitoring.
• Manual and automated systems relating to assigned function.
• Modern office practices, procedures and methods.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Leading staff, allocating resources and evaluating programs.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Developing financial spreadsheets and financial trend analysis.
• Completing and reviewing professional financial reports.
• Planning and evaluating financial processes.
• Developing financial policies and procedures.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations.

Ability to:

• Lead, motivate, train, develop and evaluate staff.
• Work independently.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Set priorities and schedule tasks.
• Analyze, calculate, forecast and interpret financial data and identify and correct errors.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies and providers, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-15 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing, crawling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am- 5 pm, Monday- Friday. 

Location:5325 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78751
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Department: Health & Human Services

Criminal background check, Driving, Education, Employment verification required. 

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.