Financial Analyst

City of Highland Park•Highland Park, IL

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Leads and coordinates the City's annual budget development process and provides professional financial analysis to support financial planning, forecasting, resource allocation, and management decision-making. Develops and maintains budget schedules, financial models, forecasts, and financial reports; analyzes revenues, expenditures, financial trends, and performance; supports long-range financial planning and collective bargaining costing; assists departments with budget development and financial analysis; and coordinates budget-related research, benchmarking, and special projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or Public Administration required.
Two to four years of progressively responsible experience in financial analysis, budget development, forecasting, or a related finance function, preferably in a municipal or governmental environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Microsoft Excel, and experience using ERP or financial management software.
Strong understanding of public budgeting, financial management, and governmental finance principles, including a working knowledge of GAAP and governmental accounting practices.
Skill in developing and analyzing complex financial reports.
Ability to perform forecasting, cost analysis, and long-term financial modeling.
Experience with capital improvement plans, debt service, and fund balance monitoring.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial data to non-financial audiences.
Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Commitment to confidentiality, accuracy, and professional integrity.
Ability to use data to drive decisions and improve processes.
High level of customer service and professionalism in working with City officials, staff, and the public.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Experience with budgeting, financial modeling, financial reporting, and data analysis preferred.
Familiarity with Tyler Munis, SSRS, or similar financial reporting and business intelligence tools preferred.
CPA and/or CPFO preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads and coordinates the annual budget development process, including development and maintenance of budget schedules, review and analysis of departmental budget requests, preparation of budget instructions and materials, coordination of budget timelines, and development of the City's annual budget document.
Works with departments to analyze proposed revenues, expenditures, staffing, programs, and services and provides analytical support to the Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director throughout the budget process.
Coordinates budget process improvements and supports preparation and submission of the City's budget for the GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
Develops and maintains financial forecasts, models, and analytical tools to support financial planning and management decision-making.
Performs revenue and expenditure forecasting, cash flow analysis, trend analysis, variance analysis, and other financial modeling.
Identifies significant financial trends, risks, opportunities, and emerging issues and communicates findings and recommendations to Finance management and City departments.
Prepares and analyzes financial reports, presentations, and management information related to revenues, expenditures, budget-to-actual performance, financial trends, capital needs, debt, staffing, and other areas of financial performance.
Develops recurring and ad hoc reports and presentations for the Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director, City departments, executive management, and other stakeholders.
Provides financial analysis and support to City departments and serves as a Finance business partner to assigned departments.
Assists departments with budget development, forecasting, budget monitoring, variance analysis, financial planning, and other analytical needs.
Provides guidance regarding budget assumptions, financial trends, and available financial information while maintaining appropriate coordination with the accounting function.
Performs financial research and analysis for special projects and long-range financial planning.
Supports collective bargaining costing and other personnel-related financial analyses; analyzes revenues, expenditures, fees, impact fees, grants, leases, capital needs, and other financial matters; conducts municipal benchmarking and comparator analyses; and assists with development of long-range financial projections and financial strategies.
May provide analytical support for GFOA budget and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) award submissions.
Performs other related job duties or responsibilities as requested or required, whether or not specifically mentioned in this job description.