Financial Analyst I

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Performs complex financial monitoring of government, educational, non-profit and/or for-profit entities contracted to administer various programs within the Fiscal Support and Oversight (FSO) at the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Work involves examination, investigation, and review of accounting records, financial statements, management practices, and internal controls to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and/or regulations as well as DSHS policies, regulations, and contract provisions. Work also involves the preparation of reports containing findings, recommendations, and corrective actions required of the contractor. In addition, the work involves providing technical assistance to DSHS contractors in all matters relating to financial compliance. Works under limited supervision with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May lead a monitoring team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, finance or related field from an accredited four-year college or university or Master’s in Public Health from an accredited four-year college or university.
• At least one year’s experience as a full charge bookkeeper, auditor, or financial compliance monitor, or other financial related work.
• Experience and Education may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.
• Must be willing to travel up to 25% of the time, including overnight travel and occasionally on Sundays.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of 12 hours of college level courses in accounting.
• Familiarity with Federal and State grants
• Use of TeamMate or other auditing software.

Responsibilities

• Conducts financial monitoring reviews of government, educational, non-profit, and/or for-profit entities throughout Texas that are contracted to administer various programs for the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
• Identifies financial non-compliance issues by researching specific topics through interviews; analysis and review of backup documentation relevant to review; analysis of independently audited financial statements; and analysis and review of financial and/or programmatic reports submitted to DSHS; and other research techniques.
• Exercises considerable initiative and independent judgment in determining the transactions to examine based on analysis of input from program personnel, complaints or allegations from 3rd parties, contractors' past history (risk assessment), and preliminary review of documentation submitted by contractors prior to the financial reviews.
• Identifies areas of non-compliance and/or deficiencies in contractors' internal controls and financial management systems and recommends changes in policies and/or procedures as needed to comply with relevant federal and state laws and/or regulations, DSHS policies, and procedures, and contract provisions.
• Develops necessary financial summaries, schedules, and attachments needed to determine areas of compliance and/or non-compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, policies and/or procedures, or needed to support the findings and recommendations of the review.
• Gathers, prepares, and organizes all working papers related to financial monitoring reviews in accordance with established DSHS standards.
• Prepares comprehensive formal financial monitoring reports that detail the conclusions, findings, and recommendations of the reviews.
• Responsible for all necessary follow up activities related to the reviews including (1) preparing formal correspondence necessary to further explain, clarify findings and/or rebut responses to findings, (2) requesting additional documentation required of contractors, and (3) issuing final reports and associated transmittal letters.
• Works closely with Program staff on contracting issues.
• Provides technical assistance (either verbally or in writing) to contractors and DSHS program personnel relating to financial compliance with federal and state laws and/or regulations, DSHS policies and/or procedures; provisions of the contract; allowability of costs; adequacy of financial system; or adequacy of internal controls over financial transactions.
• Technical assistance will also include reconciliation of contract-required documents to financial statement reports.
• Acts as mentor and assists in the training of recently hired financial monitors.
• Participates in the research and interpretation of relevant federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in the development and/or modification of DSHS financial reporting processes, procedures and forms.
• Other related work as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level