Financial Analyst

Position Overview

Under direction of the Finance Director performs complex financial analysis and financial forecasting for the City. Manages municipal debt and investment activity, assists with the annual budget preparation.

Qualifications Required

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance. Have at least five (5) years of experience in accounting or finance, preferably in a governmental setting. Comprehensive knowledge of accounting standards, accounting principles and concepts. In-depth knowledge of        governmental finance, municipal debt and the laws and regulations governing municipal finance. Knowledge of federal, state and municipal laws and regulations governing finance. Ability to utilize economic trends and data for financial forecasting, planning and budget preparation. Reading, math and writing skills to review, comprehend, analyze and report on highly complex material related to financial, accounting, purchasing, cash management and payroll operations. Written communication to prepare forms, reports, memoranda, letters and document processes and procedures. Verbal communication skills to effectively interact with employees, supervisors, elected officials and the public. Computer skills to include word processing, spreadsheet creation and maintenance, database utilization and other specialized accounting and financial software. Ability to work from administrative direction in terms of broadly defined goals. Ability to build and maintain relationships with employees, supervisors, elected officials, city, county, state and federal administrators and officials.

Physical Qualifications Required

Must see well enough to read fine print and numbers without error or transposition (corrective lens acceptable); must hear well enough to carry on conversation in person and on telephone (hearing aid acceptable); must speak clearly to communicate effectively; must have use of hands and fingers to write, type and operate office machinery; must have body movement or mobility to move freely about the office.

Qualifications Preferred

Master’s Degree in Accounting or related field preferred. Knowledge of laws and regulations governing Municipal Accounting; knowledge of governmental organization and the operation of Municipal Departments; Municipal Bookkeeping or Accounting experience.

Documents Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance
  
• Valid Photo Identification
• Seven (5) Years of Accounting / Finance Experience

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Finance Director performs complex financial analysis and financial forecasting for the City.  Manages municipal debt and investment activity, assists with the annual budget preparation.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statement of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position. Other duties may be required, assigned and expected aside from those set forth below to address operational needs and changing operational practices.

• Researches and obtains a thorough understanding and knowledge of laws and best practices related to municipal debt and strategic financial planning
• Conducts complex financial analysis
• Researches financial market and the economic environment and make recommendation for long-range financial planning and assists in preparation of the City’s annual budget and related documents
• Manages the city’s investment portfolio
• Prepares cash flow projections and monthly investment reports in accordance with the best practices and the City’s guidelines and policies
• Possesses an in depth understanding of governmental finance and municipal debt to assist with municipal borrowing and capital expenditure planning
• Manage and maintains all warrants issued by the City to include appropriate accounting and reporting, debt repayment and statuses of planned projects funded with warrant funds
• Reads and interprets contents of intergovernmental agreements
• Assist with routine accounting functions when needed to include audit preparation
• Maintain work area in an organized and neat manner

Qualifications

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

Education/Training
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance
Master’s Degree in Accounting or related field preferred

Experience
Five (5) years of accounting or finance experience, preferably in a government setting

Licenses or Certifications Required
N/A

The following generally describes the knowledge and abilities required in order to successfully perform the assigned duties of the position:

Knowledge of:

• Accounting standards, accounting principles and concepts
• In depth knowledge of governmental finance, municipal debt and the laws and regulation governing municipal finance
• Federal, state and municipal laws and regulations governing finance

Ability to:

• Utilize economic trends and data for financial forecasting, planning and budget preparation
• Read, comprehend, analyze and report on highly complex material related to financial, accounting, purchasing, cash management and payroll operations
• Effectively use written communication to prepare forms, reports, memoranda, letters and document processes and procedures
• Effectively use verbal communication to effectively interact with employees, supervisors, elected officials and the public
• Utilize computer skills including software for word-processing, spreadsheet creation and maintenance, database utilization and other specialized accounting and financial software
• Build and maintain relationships with employees, supervisors, elected officials, city, county, state and federal administrators and officials
• Work from an administrative direction in terms of broadly defines goals
• Work non-duty hours including weekend or holidays when necessary
• Work in constant state of alertness and a safe manner

Physical Demands & Working Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations needed to perform the essential duties of this position.

Environment: Work location will be indoors with potential for overnight travel to attend and participate in training, seminars and workshops

Physical Demands: See accompanying page for details

Key Working Relationship: Other Finance Department employees including Finance Director, Department Heads and Office Managers, City Council
and City Management

Applications for this position will be accepted until a pool of 20 applications is received or the position is filled, whichever comes first. Current city employees wishing to apply should send Internal Job Application provided by the Human Resources Department to the HR Director by the deadline stated. (A courtesy copy will be sent to the employee’s department head.)

Applications can be found online (download an application) or picked up at the City of Phenix City Human Resources Department:
1103 Broad Street
Phenix City, AL 36867
Ph: 334 448-2706

Along with the application, please answer the following questions to accompany it. Feel free to attach supplemental pages if needed:
Applicant Questionnaire – Comptroller / Financial Analyst

Applications are available for pick up and drop off on Mondays from 2 to 5 p.m., Eastern Time, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Eastern Time. You may also email your completed application with the required supporting documents.