Budget Analyst

City of Leander; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Leander is seeking a Financial Analyst to lead the development, implementation, and management of the city’s operating and capital budgets. You will guide departments through the annual cycle, review requests, forecast revenues and expenditures, and monitor cash flow for capital projects.

Responsibilities include preparing budgets and supporting documents, analyzing fiscal impact, ensuring legal compliance and transparency, and supporting performance metrics and reporting to city

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, public administration or related field with at least two years budget management experience, including one year in government.
• Experience coordinating budgets, forecasting, and preparing financial reports for multiple departments.
• Knowledge of GAAP and GASB reporting requirements and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, and management of operating and capital budgets for the City.
• Guide departments through the annual budget cycle and review budget submissions.
• Forecast revenues and expenditures; monitor cash flow for capital projects.
• Prepare financial reports, budgets, graphs, and supporting documentation.
• Analyze fiscal impact of proposals and ensure compliance with laws and transparency.
• Support performance metrics and training on budget procedures and financial systems.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Communication

Data analysis

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, finance, public administration or related field

Two years budget management experience (government experience preferred)

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Excel

Financial software

GAAP/ GASB knowledge

Job description

Performs moderately complex analytical and technical work under general supervision, with limited discretion for independent judgment. This position is instrumental in coordinating the development, implementation, and management of the City's operating and capital improvement budgets, ensuring they support strategic financial objectives and long-term planning efforts. Key duties include guiding departments through the annual budget cycle, reviewing and evaluating budget submissions, forecasting revenues and expenditures, monitoring cash flow activity for capital projects, identifying variances that require adjustments or corrective actions, and contributions to special projects as assigned.

• Participates in preparing the City’s annual budget and related supporting documentation including benchmarking tax base data, preparing budget agendas, preparing budget presentations, reviewing departmental budget submissions, participating in team budget reviews, and reviews departmental budgets monthly.
• Ensures standards are met for budget adoption, legal requirements, and financial transparency.
• Assists department leaders with budget requests and performance measures.
• Provides analysis and evaluation of the fiscal impact of proposals for the budget.
• Reviews operating budgets to analyze trends affecting budget needs and resources.
• Prepares financial reports, budgets, graphs, charts, and other financial documents by gathering and analyzing data.
• Monitors internal and external budget performance measures. Gathers information from other organizations for benchmarking purposes.
• Manages project variances and redistribution of project savings/overages to appropriate funds.
• Experience assisting with mid-year budget adjustments and year-end closing processes.
• Oversees development, implementation, and management of the capital budget.
• Coordinates with departments to prioritize capital projects based on strategic goals, available funding, and infrastructure needs.
• Monitors capital expenditures and cash flow to ensure adherence to budget and schedule.
• Works with performance metrics to ensure GFOA Budget requirements are being met.
• Supports staff with training and guidance on budget procedures, use of financial systems, and sound fiscal management practices.
• Reviews legislation that has a potential impact upon the financial status of the City, including property and sales tax, franchise fees, truth in taxation, court fees, other major revenue sources for the City, and any major expenditure impacts.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, public administration or a related field and a minimum of two years of experience in managing, operating, and developing budgets. One year of the required experience must have been working for a government entity.

Required Certificates and Licenses

• Valid Class C Driver's License from any U.S. State. Must be able to obtain a Texas license within 90 days of hire, per state law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business, finance, public administration or a related field.
• Four years or more of experience of full-time budget experience working at a local, state, or federal entity.
• Four years or more of related experience with operating and capital planning budgeting and multi-year financial forecasting.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of accounting including proficiency in General Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of principles and practices of budget preparation and statistical methodology.
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals.
• Ability to communicate with other employees and the public in a courteous and diplomatic manner.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Analyze situations and adopt quick, effect, and reasonable courses of action.
• Knowledge of report preparation and writing with proper punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Understanding financial forecasting, long-range planning, and fiscal impact analysis.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, the public, elected officials, and boards and commissions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle items, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be considered.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position.