Financial Analyst I

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

1d

About The Position

Financial Analyst I: 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) unit 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.

Requirements

• Knowledge of accounting methods and systems, business practices, financial monitoring procedures, legal contracts, business law, and financial statutes and instructions.
• Knowledge of grant and contract administration, Code of Federal Regulations, and federal and state regulations.
• Knowledge of all facets of General Ledger maintenance.
• Knowledge of accounting theory (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
• Knowledge of manual and computerized accounting systems.
• Skill in the operation of personal computers, calculators, and adding machines.
• Skill in writing and editing formal reports and/or correspondence.
• Skill in composing clear and concise reports.
• Ability to perform numerical analysis.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal/state statutes and instructions, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate and summarize financial and/or management operations systems records for accuracy and conformance to procedures, rules and regulations.
• Ability to analyze and interpret information contained in a General Ledger and to trance entries recorded in a General Ledger to appropriate journals and source documents.
• Ability to properly collect, analyze, and perform appropriate review tests and assemble financial review working papers.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise reports and review findings.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff and agency management.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective provider relationships.
• Ability to accurately complete and assemble working papers according to division standards.
• Ability to communicate findings and recommendations effectively.
• 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. (Required)
• 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. (Required)
• Must be willing to travel up to 15% of the time, which includes overnight stays and occasionally on Sundays.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of 12 hours of college level courses in accounting. (Preferred)
• 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 DSHS.
• Identifies financial non-compliance issues by researching specific topics through analysis and review of backup documentation relevant to review; analysis of independently audited financial statements; 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 of the review.
• Gathers, prepares, and organizes working papers related to financial monitoring reviews in accordance with established DSHS standards.
• Prepares or assists in preparing comprehensive formal financial monitoring reports that detail the conclusions, findings, and recommendations of the reviews.
• Responsible for necessary follow-up activities related to the reviews.
• Keeps manager informed of the status of the reviews.
• May provide 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.
• Acts as mentor and assists in the training of recently hired financial monitors.
• Participates in the maintenance and/or update of Contractor’s Administrative Procedures Manual for DSHS Contractor’s.
• Participates in the development and/or modification of financial compliance policies and procedures relating to DSHS contractors.
• 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 forms.
• Performs 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

• DSHS offers 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