Financial Analyst

City of Highland Park; Highland Park (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Dental Insurance

Pension Programs

457(b) Deferred Compensation

Employee Wellness Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Longevity Pay

Paid Vacation Time

Job summary

The City of Highland Park seeks an experienced budget professional to lead annual budget development, financial analysis, and forecasting. The role develops schedules, models, and reports to support planning, resource allocation, and management decision-making.

Collaboration with departments and leadership is essential to deliver accurate budgets and insightful financial guidance. Required qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 2–4 years of financial analysis

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Business/Public Administration required.
• 2–4 years of progressive financial analysis and budgeting experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP/financial software.
• CPA and/or CPFO preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads and coordinates the annual budget development process and maintains budget schedules.
• Analyzes revenues, expenditures, staffing, programs, and services and provides analytical support to Finance leadership.
• Develops financial forecasts, models, and reports for planning and decision-making.
• Supports long-range financial planning, benchmarking, and special projects as needed.
• Serves as a finance partner to departments, guiding budgeting assumptions and analysis.

Skills

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Communication skills

Time management

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Master’s degree preferred

CPA preferred

CPFO preferred

Tools

Tyler Munis

SSRS

SQL Server Reporting Services

Microsoft Excel

ERP software

Job description

Description Of Primary Purpose

Leads and coordinates the City's annual budget development process and provides professional financial analysis to support financial planning, forecasting, resource allocation, and management decision-making. Develops and maintains budget schedules, financial models, forecasts, and financial reports; analyzes revenues, expenditures, financial trends, and performance; supports long-range financial planning and collective bargaining costing; assists departments with budget development and financial analysis; and coordinates budget-related research, benchmarking, and special projects.

Supervision Received

Reports directly to the Finance Director. Maintains a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Deputy Finance Director for functional coordination related to financial analysis, accounting information, financial reporting, and cross-functional Finance Department activities.

Expected Hiring Range

Expected hiring range: $72,000 - $80,000 dependent on qualifications.

Max of Range

Max of range: $93,883.05

IMRF Pension Eligible Position

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Leads and coordinates the annual budget development process, including development and maintenance of budget schedules, review and analysis of departmental budget requests, preparation of budget instructions and materials, coordination of budget timelines, and development of the City's annual budget document. Works with departments to analyze proposed revenues, expenditures, staffing, programs, and services and provides analytical support to the Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director throughout the budget process. Coordinates budget process improvements and supports preparation and submission of the City's budget for the GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

Develops and maintains financial forecasts, models, and analytical tools to support financial planning and management decision-making. Performs revenue and expenditure forecasting, cash flow analysis, trend analysis, variance analysis, and other financial modeling. Identifies significant financial trends, risks, opportunities, and emerging issues and communicates findings and recommendations to Finance management and City departments.

Prepares and analyzes financial reports, presentations, and management information related to revenues, expenditures, budget-to-actual performance, financial trends, capital needs, debt, staffing, and other areas of financial performance. Develops recurring and ad hoc reports and presentations for the Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director, City departments, executive management, and other stakeholders.

Provides financial analysis and support to City departments and serves as a Finance business partner to assigned departments. Assists departments with budget development, forecasting, budget monitoring, variance analysis, financial planning, and other analytical needs. Provides guidance regarding budget assumptions, financial trends, and available financial information while maintaining appropriate coordination with the accounting function.

Performs financial research and analysis for special projects and long-range financial planning. Supports collective bargaining costing and other personnel-related financial analyses; analyzes revenues, expenditures, fees, impact fees, grants, leases, capital needs, and other financial matters; conducts municipal benchmarking and comparator analyses; and assists with development of long-range financial projections and financial strategies. May provide analytical support for GFOA budget and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) award submissions.

Performs other related job duties or responsibilities as requested or required, whether or not specifically mentioned in this job description.

Education and Experience

Required Minimum Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or Public Administration required. Master’s degree preferred or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Experience: Two to four years of progressively responsible experience in financial analysis, budget development, forecasting, or a related finance function, preferably in a municipal or governmental environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Microsoft Excel, and experience using ERP or financial management software. Experience with budgeting, financial modeling, financial reporting, and data analysis preferred. Familiarity with Tyler Munis, SSRS, or similar financial reporting and business intelligence tools preferred.

Certification or License: CPA and/or CPFO preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Proficiencies

• Strong understanding of public budgeting, financial management, and governmental finance principles, including a working knowledge of GAAP and governmental accounting practices
• Skill in developing and analyzing complex financial reports
• Ability to perform forecasting, cost analysis, and long-term financial modeling
• Experience with capital improvement plans, debt service, and fund balance monitoring
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial data to non-financial audiences
• Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams
• Commitment to confidentiality, accuracy, and professional integrity
• Ability to use data to drive decisions and improve processes
• High level of customer service and professionalism in working with City officials, staff, and the public

Supplemental Information

Work Environment: Work is performed in a general office environment with regular exposure to standard office equipment. Frequent public contact; interactions primarily with internal departments and vendors. Work is typically sedentary with minimal exposure to environmental hazards. May occasionally encounter emotionally charged situations.

Tools and Equipment Used: Uses standard office equipment and software including: Desktop or laptop computer (Windows OS), Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.), Financial ERP systems (e.g., Tyler Munis or similar), Reporting tools (e.g., SQL Server Reporting Services), Multi-function printer/copier/scanner, Telephone, calculator, and other general office devices.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is required to walk; use hands to finger motions, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to withstand prolonged periods of concentration, necessitated by activities such as proof reading, comparison analysis and data entry. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Full-time employees are entitled to a host of wide-ranging benefits including

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pension Programs
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Longevity Pay
• Paid Vacation Time (80.00 hr year one accrual rate)
• Paid Personal Time (40.00 hr annual, prorated in year one)
• Paid Sick Time (96.00 hr year one accrual rate)