Fiscal Analyst

Job Title

Under the direction of the assigned manager, perform the complex, technical, and analytical budgeting and accounting responsibilities and duties; perform a variety of accounting, budgeting, financial and planning analyses for compliance reporting as a basis for high-level decision-making of the District; to ensure adherence to District policies and procedures and applicable laws, rules, and regulations; and to perform and serve as a functional lead in a variety of technical tasks and projects relative to assigned area of responsibility. Use significant independent judgment in the performance of assigned duties. Decisions have a significant impact on the operations and compliance reporting of the District. Serves as a technical lead to the Fiscal Specialists, Fiscal Technicians and other fiscal classifications.

Responsibilities and Duties

Essential Functions:

• Development of budgets, compiles large-scale multi-year financial projections up to the District-wide level. Research, investigate and evaluate data to develop valid conclusions and recommendations regarding financial options and funding levels.
• Perform a variety of complex and technical fiscal duties in the review, analysis, planning, and adjustment of designated Funds and restricted programs; perform complex non-standardized reconciliations and journal entries.
• Prepare highly complex non-standardized reports that affect multiple funds and programs using internal and external data and various assumptions.
• Serve as a technical resource for staff, outside agencies, and others concerning financial operations and compliance reporting; respond to inquiries, resolve issues, conflicts and discrepancies and provide technical information within assigned area of responsibility.
• Provide oversight and assure compliance with District policies, procedures, and practices related to the budgeting and accounting operations and compliance reporting of the District. Evaluate, recommend, and implement procedure improvements.
• Work closely and advise regularly with management for budget and financial planning, develops and delivers training and presentations to groups in a formal setting.
• Assist the Assistant Director of Fiscal Services in maintaining position control including annual position control budget development.
• As determined by the department workflow, review and validate the work of lower-level fiscal staff for accuracy and adherence to department coding standards.
• Update, monitor, and maintain the Chart of Accounts and ensure integrity and accuracy with applicable reporting standards.
• Participate in planning and lead staff through completion of tasks associated with project-based initiatives such as quarterly financial reporting, interim and annual audits, and budget development.
• Perform internal audit reviews, analysis, and validation of Funds and restricted programs; provide internal control verifications for applicable areas.
• Provide financial information for program audits and coordinate with independent auditors as needed to ensure compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements.
• Assist in the development, integration and enhancement of the District's automated financial systems and subsystems and serve as subject-matter expert resource; Participate in testing of new system functionality and/or system developments.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• General principles and practices of technical accounting and budgeting using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements, and the California Community College's Chancellor's Budget and Accounting Manual (BAM).
• Principles and practices of restricted and categorical funding, fund accounting, public sector budgeting, reporting, and auditing.
• Principles and practices of effective team leadership and training.
• Standard office procedures, methods and equipment.
• Principles, policies, guidelines, regulations and laws of various State and Federal agencies governing the fiscal administration of a Community College District.
• Financial and management information systems used for the fiscal administration of a Community College District.
• Financial research, data collection and report writing.
• Coding and reporting standards; District policies and procedures applicable to area of assignment.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Develop and apply sound budgeting and accounting methods to a variety of complex financial transactions and technical problems.
• Prepare accurate comprehensive technical and non-standardized budget and accounting reports and projections.
• Interpret, explain, and apply District, County, State and Federal policies, regulations and laws governing the fiscal operations of a Community College District.
• Effectively problem-solve, analyze information, and data with multiple abstract variables. Develop options and make recommendations to management.
• Develop short and long range financial planning models.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Develop and deliver presentations and training to various groups in a formal setting.
• Work in a team environment, under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Think critically, use excellent independent judgment, be detailed oriented, and understand the impact and secondary effects of decisions.
• Work independently without close supervision while serving as a technical lead to lower-level staff.
• Organize and schedule work to maximize efficiency.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with all employees and others encountered in the course of work.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds and disabilities of community college students and staff as demonstrated by skills and abilities in cultural responses and cultural humility.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business administration, or a related field with at least 24 units of bachelor-level accounting coursework.

Experience: Four years' experience performing professional level budgetary and accounting work preferably in financial analysis in an educational or public agency with at least one year in a lead or supervisory capacity.