Budget Analyst I or II - 8/21/26

Charleston County Government; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Charleston County Government is seeking a Budget Analyst to join the Budget Office. The role analyzes, prepares, and monitors assigned county budgets, handles budget transfers, and prepares budget documents for officials.

The successful candidate will support annual and multi-year financial plans, review budgets, and assist in grant management while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality in a fast-paced public sector environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field with 1+ year related experience, or an Associate Degree with 3+ years related experience.
• Budgeting experience, preferably within local government or similar setting.
• Experience in budgeting and accounting; preparing, interpreting, and analyzing budget reports.
• Substantial knowledge of GAAP and budgeting in governmental setting; proficient with Microsoft 365 and large-scale financial systems.
• Proven organizational, planning, and presentation skills; valid SC Driver license.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates budget requests, appropriations and adjustments and makes recommendations.
• Prepares narratives and fund summaries comparing actuals to budgets and estimates.
• Coordinates and prepares budget forms and workshop presentations for departments.
• Assists in the preparation of annual budget and supporting documents.
• Reviews budgets for completeness, accuracy and policy adherence.

Skills

Budget analysis

Financial reporting

GAAP knowledge

Organization and planning

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Associate Degree with 3+ years related experience

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

The County is filling a professional position in the Budget Office. The 8-person department formulates financial strategies, prepares annual and multi-year financial plans, assists in the management of federal and state grants, and monitors the County’s annual budget.

This professional position will be responsible for the analysis, preparation, and monitoring of assigned County budgets. Duties also include processing budget transfers, review and analysis of budgets, preparation of budget documents, and various administrative office tasks.

BUDGET ANALYST I ANLT/05 HIRING SALARY: $50,440 - $66.060

BUDGET ANALYST II PROF/02 HIRING SALARY: $60,840 - $79,684

(Estimated Annual Salary – Position will be filled Depending on Qualifications)

The successful candidate will:

Budget Analyst I:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Order of Essential Functions does not indicate importance of functions.)

• Evaluates budget requests, appropriations and adjustments to make recommendations to the Budget Director and/or Assistant Budget Director.
• Prepares reports including narratives and fund summaries for stakeholders that compares departments' actual revenue and expenditures to the budgeted and estimated amounts.
• Coordinates and prepares budget preparation manual, budget forms, and budget workshop presentations for assigned departments or offices of elected/appointed officials.
• Assists in preparation of annual budget and all supporting documents for Charleston County.
• Reviews and analyzes all assigned budgets for completeness, accuracy, and adherence to directives, ordinances, and internal policies within allotted deadlines.
• Coordinates outside agency contributions.
• Reviews budget transfers submitted by departments for accuracy and adherence to applicable ordinances, directives, and internal policies.
• Communicates budget transfer issues and offers solutions to departments and supervisor.
• Processes budget transfers accurately.
• Processes timesheets and orders office supplies.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, present and potential problems, and makes suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Responds to questions and comments in a courteous, timely manner.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Solve problems while exhibiting sound judgment and a systematic approach to decision making; identify the important dimensions of a problem, determine potential causes, obtain relevant information, and specify alternate solutions that result in resolutions.
• Embrace change and actively support all efforts to increase cooperation, communication, and collaboration between and among co-workers and other departments and County officials.
• Demonstrate sound time-management skills by effectively and efficiently, organizing, prioritizing, and completing multiple assignments on or before the designated deadline.
• Safeguard confidential information and use it or disclose it only as expressly authorized or specifically required in the course of performing specific job duties.
• Maintain close attention to detail.
• Handle confidential, budget, and administrative information with tact and discretion
• Understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Efficiently learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Use integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Acknowledge and accept the Department’s mission and vision representing the same professionally and effectively within and throughout the County.
• Embrace County and Department standards for customer service, accuracy, quality, efficiency and all County and Department policies and procedures ensuring that all work performed meets those standards.

Budget Analyst II:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Order of Essential Functions does not indicate importance of functions.)

• Performs all the duties of a Budget Analyst I when appropriate or assigned.
• Communicates budget issues to departments and supervisor.
• Assists in the preparation and administering of annual proposed and approved budget documents.
• Consolidates moderately complex departmental budgets into operating and capital budget summaries.
• Prepares summary schedules (i.e., revenues and expenditures) and summarizes information into final documents.
• Performs other duties or assumes other responsibilities as apparent or assigned.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Solve problems while exhibiting sound judgment and a systematic approach to decision making; identify the important dimensions of a problem, determine potential causes, obtain relevant information, and specify alternate solutions that result in resolutions.
• Embrace change and actively support all efforts to increase cooperation, communication, and collaboration between and among co-workers and other departments and County officials.
• Demonstrate sound time-management skills by effectively and efficiently, organizing, prioritizing, and completing multiple assignments on or before the designated deadline.
• Safeguard confidential information and use it or disclose it only as expressly authorized or specifically required in the course of performing specific job duties.
• Maintain close attention to detail.
• Handle confidential, budget, and administrative information with tact and discretion.
• Understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Efficiently learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Use integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Acknowledge and accept the Department’s mission and vision representing the same professionally and effectively within and throughout the County.
• Embrace County and Department standards for customer service, accuracy, quality, efficiency and all County and Department policies and procedures ensuring that all work performed meets those standards.
• Regularly communicates and coordinates with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Performs other duties or assumes other responsibilities as apparent or assigned.

Budget Analyst I:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Finance, or closely related field of study supplemented with a minimum of (1) year or more of directly related experience; or Associate Degree in Accounting, Finance, or closely related field of study supplemented with a minimum of three (3) years directly related experience. All experience must be within the last ten (10) years.
• Budgeting experience, preferably within local government or similar.
• Experience must include work within various areas of budgeting and accounting. Auditing experience may be considered. Experience must also include preparing, interpreting, and analyzing budget reports and records.
• Substantial knowledge of Microsoft 365 and proficiency with large-scale financial systems.
• Must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental GAAP, and budgeting in local governmental setting.
• Must have proven organizational, planning, and presentation experience.
• Must possess a valid SC Driver license (or obtain within three (3) months of hire) and meet the requirements of the County’s motor vehicle policy.

Budget Analyst II:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or closely related field of study, supplemented with a minimum of three (3) years or more of directly related experience in State or local government budget/finance.
• All experience must be within the last ten (10) years, preferably within local government or similar.
• Experience must include work within various areas of budgeting and accounting. Auditing experience may be considered. Experience must also include preparing, interpreting, and analyzing budget reports and records.
• Substantial knowledge of Microsoft 365 and proficiency with large-scale financial systems.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental GAAP, and budgeting in local governmental setting.
• Must have proven organizational, planning, and presentation experience.
• Must possess a valid SC Driver license (or obtain within three (3) months of hire) and meet the requirements of the County’s motor vehicle policy.