Financial Analyst III - Austin Financial Services

City of Austin • Austin, TX

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

Austin Financial Services (AFS) serves residents, vendors, and City departments, and works to steward public resources with integrity and accountability. The department supports financial processes including the annual budget and fiscal report, procurement, franchise agreements, real estate transactions, investment portfolio oversight, and debt management.

The Financial Analyst III coordinates and develops budget-process deliverables and provides management with financial information by planning, developing, interpreting, monitoring, processing, and reporting financial and budget information. This position performs key lead functions for the Finance team in the Financial Services Department’s Support Services division, supporting divisions with annual budget processes, financial policies and procedures, budget monitoring, capital improvement projects (CIP), complex invoice quality checks, and simple contracts. Other work may include processing transactions in the City’s financial system, creating MicroStrategy reports, and researching data for emergency-response reporting.

The role requires managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and strong communication and leadership skills. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Telework may be available after an initial training period; schedules may change to meet department business needs. The position is based at 721 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, Texas, and may involve travel to multiple work locations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field, plus four years of experience in a related field.
• A master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, Public Administration, or another relevant field may substitute for two years of experience.
• A five-year accounting (MAcy) degree or CPA designation may substitute for one year of experience.
• Knowledge of public budgetary and financial policy processes and theories.
• Knowledge of accounting practices and concepts, internal control systems, preferred business practices, manual and automated financial systems, and financial and budget reporting.
• Skill in designing and maintaining complex spreadsheet and database models and using word-processing and presentation software.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting financial records and gathering, analyzing, and presenting data for management use.
• Ability to resolve problems or situations requiring sound judgment.
• Ability to prepare accurate and complex financial reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and demonstrate strong communication and leadership skills.
• A detailed and complete City of Austin employment application, a cover letter, and a résumé are required; the résumé does not replace the completed application.
• Must meet City Driver Safety Program standards to drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of regular duties; otherwise, the employee is responsible for transportation to and from those locations.
• The position may require a skills assessment and a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation. Education verification may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience creating and analyzing financial reports.
• Experience with budget monitoring.
• Experience with financial software such as Advantage, e-Capris, MicroStrategy, or another related financial or business-intelligence system.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Responsibilities

• Assist with developing the department’s operating or capital improvement program (CIP) budget.
• Implement the organization’s budget process system; guide and advise management in budget development and completion; finalize the organization’s budget; and monitor budgets through current-year estimates, variance reports, forecasts, and reviews of current and historical budget information.
• Prepare financial analyses and periodic or ad-hoc reports by researching, compiling, monitoring, and summarizing financial data, reporting variances and trends, and combining information from financial systems.
• Monitor debt-service schedules as part of debt administration.
• Provide financial support for and monitor CIP projects.
• Process and track task orders and other project requirements in eCAPRIS and other financial systems.
• Assist with developing the department’s business plan and forecast.
• Prepare fund summaries to keep management informed about the department’s financial condition.
• Develop and maintain spreadsheet models and databases for project-data analysis and financial reporting.
• Review and approve accounting and financial transactions, verify supporting documentation, and complete transactions accurately.
• Check documentation and funding information for accuracy and ensure transactions comply with City policy, applicable laws and regulations, and sound business practices.
• Provide departments and other customers with procedural and financial information and guidance on financial systems.
• Research and provide information requested by City Council, City management, boards and commissions, vendors, the public, regulatory agencies, and other City offices.
• Monitor State and Federal regulatory processes and advise the department about the financial impact of new or proposed legislation, regulations, and standards.
• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
• Support divisions with financial policies and procedures, budget monitoring, CIP, quality checks of complex invoices, simple contracts, City financial-system transactions, MicroStrategy reporting, and emergency-response data research.
• Travel to multiple work locations when necessary, subject to City driver-safety standards.

Benefits

• Comprehensive compensation package with generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
• City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
• Access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
• Wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities.
• Modern and sustainable work environments.

What This Job Offers

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