Budget & Finance Manager

City of Charlotte; United States; On-site; USD 94,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is seeking a Budget & Finance Operating Manager. You will oversee operating and capital budgets, generate financial analyses, and supervise the Budget & Finance Analysts team. This role supports grant budgeting and reporting to MTC and City leadership.

The position aligns with CATS’s transition to the Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA) in 2027, ensuring compliant financial operations and clear executive reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Business or 5 years’ experience in financial management.
• Strong analytical and budgeting skills.
• Ability to supervise and train staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development and maintenance of operating and capital budgets.
• Prepare financial analyses and grant-funded budgets.
• Supervise Budget & Finance Analysts team.
• Produce monthly transit financial reports.
• Support grant administration and reporting to MTC/City.

Skills

Budget development

Financial management

Microsoft Office

Pivot tables

Analytical skills

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Master’s degree

Tools

ERP System

Budget System

Reporting systems

Job description

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department Salary: $94,029.00 - $135,167.54 Commensurate with Experience

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service. This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long-term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region. Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs. The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

SUMMARY

Under general direction of the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Senior Manager of Budgets & Financial Management, the Budget & Finance Operating Manager is a professional, supervisory, accounting position performing responsibilities for development, oversight, and maintenance of the operating and capital budgets, general financial analysis, and grant-funded operating activities ensuring adherence to and implementation of Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) policies and City Guidelines.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs direct support to Senior Manager of Budgets & Financial Management to ensure financial systems reports and information are verified and financial transactions are accurately reported for inclusion in various financial reports
• Performs budgetary, financial, and analytical tasks of high complexity and scope
• Supervises, trains, and works with a team of Senior Budget & Finance Analysts responsible for budget/financial management. Establishes priorities and delegates workload to complete major assignments.
• Reviews budget requests and conducts a wide variety of studies, analysis, and program reports for Transit
• Provides extensive input in coordinating development of quality operating and capital annual budgets for presentation to MTC and City, including grant-funded budgeting for operation projects
• Provides direct support to Senior Manager of Budgets & Financial Management with development and maintenance of annual projections, debt financing projections/administration, long-term financial plans, and needs and cost assessments in compliance with requirements of the Federal Transit Administration, and other specialized projects, e.g. monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to MTC
• Ensures CATS’ budget entered accurately within City’s Budget System and agrees to City’s budget and Adopted MTC’s budget
• Develops, analyzes, and completes operating, grant-funded operating, and capital budgets working with all levels of management in analyzing short and long-term operating and capital requirements
• Provides supervision and ensures accuracy on tracking operating expenditures and obligations, reviews adequacy of supporting records and governing accounting procedures for operations in compliance
• Supervises compilation of monthly Transit financial reports for Executive Team and Division Managers, providing year-to-date updates on operating expenditures, revenues, grants, transit activities, etc.
• Reviews and enters budget transfers/amendments for operating and capital accounts
• Handles day to day management of operating and capital budgets through requisitions, PSRs, purchase order/contract change orders, and journal transfers/entries transactions review, ensuring both budgets and expenditures are recorded to proper accounts
• Maintains operating ledger and capital projects through budget adjustments, transfers, journal entries, and accounts set up
• Coordinates and works closely with departmental staff to monitor the progression of spending, accruals, and other accounting functions for operating accounts and/or capital projects
• Analyzes expense charges from other City of Charlotte departments for propriety and accuracy
• Collects, maintains, and analyzes operational data to monitor and ensure CATS’ performance measures are in full compliance with MTC policies, City Finance, and Strategy & Budget standards
• Coordinates special projects required by Transit industry in compliance with Federal, State, and Local regulations, such as the FTA Triennial Review, by gathering, maintaining, and analyzing data from multiple reporting systems, coordinating meetings, and following up
• Creates and updates PowerPoint presentations for MTC, PTAG, and City Council
• Develops, analyzes, and completes operating and capital grant proposals by working with all levels of management in analyzing long and short-term capital and operating requirements
• Maintains a five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and is responsible for needs/cost assessments and justifications necessary for CIP development
• Develops, controls, maintains, and updates grant registers of programmed budgets, obligations, payments, un-liquidated obligations, un-obligated funds, and available funds for all federal, state, and local grants, including any financing contingent upon future grants
• Provides supervision and ensures accuracy on the tracking of grant expenditures and obligations, reviews adequacy of supporting records and governing procedures to account for resources and operations in compliance with grantor requirements
• Develops and maintains grants status reports, which provides updates on grant-funded project commitments, obligations, and expenditures
• Assists with all aspects of grants administration, including access to technical legislative and statutory references
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• As part of your responsibility to support the CATS Safety Culture, report safety concerns and issues through the various methods established by CATS as outlined in the ASP

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong critical thinking and strategic analytical skills
• Ability to select, coach, supervise, motivate, train, develop, and evaluate the performance of staff through demonstration of managerial and leadership competencies, including integrity, accountability, communication skills, commitment to teamwork, and excellence
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of Governmental Accounting, Federal, State, and Local financial regulations
• Demonstrate a high level of sustained accuracy and compliance with written procedures and verbal instructions
• Possess considerable knowledge of budgetary preparation, monitoring, forecasting of expenses and revenues, and analysis
• Ability to research and analyze complex financial transactions, draw logical conclusions, make viable recommendations, and develop solutions or alternative practices based on sound logic and data
• Strong organizational, time management, and advanced problem-solving skills to manage multiple activities with attention to details
• Ability to triage competing priorities according to importance and urgency
• Ability to make decisions and produce high quality work independently
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (particularly Word and Excel to include knowledge of pivot tables and other excel functions, demonstrating proficiency in creating and working effectively with spreadsheets, databases, and reporting systems)
• Ability to quickly master City’s ERP System and CATS’ systems, providing training support as needed to Project Managers and other staff
• Participate in research and analysis projects to develop sustainable, quantifiable budget-related process improvements
• Ability to work in diverse environment, working flexible schedules, days, and hours in completion of routine work and special assignments coordinating various functions
• Ability to complete work assignments with minimum supervision
• Ability to effectively communicate both, written and verbally

Minimum Qualifications

Applicant must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field and/or a minimum of five (5) years’ experience or a Master’s degree with three (3) years of relevant work experience in various facets of financial management, budget development, and municipal administration providing the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential job duties.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check. Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports. Final candidates must pass a pre‑employment drug‑screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments. The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior. Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

Our City, Our Mission

When you join the City of Charlotte, you become part of Team Charlotte — a dedicated group of professionals working together to make a meaningful impact on our community and its future. The City of Charlotte has more than 8,000 employees working across 19 departments to serve close to 1 million residents. From public safety and clean water to transportation, housing and an international airport, our teams deliver essential services to keep Charlotte connected, safe and empowered with opportunity for all. As public servants, we are guided by a clear mission: to be committed to exceptional service every day. No matter the department or role, every team member plays a part in helping our city grow, thrive and meet the needs of those who rely on us. We are a values-driven organization, working collaboratively, acting with integrity and delivering reliable results. We embrace a forward-thinking mindset, encouraging curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement.

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all.

Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

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