Financial Analyst

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

Job summary

City of Highland Park seeks a skilled Budget Analyst to lead the annual budget development process and provide professional financial analysis for planning, forecasting, and decision-making. Responsibilities include maintaining schedules, models, and reports, and coordinating with multiple departments on budget requests and performance analysis.

The role requires 2–4 years of municipal finance experience, proficiency in Excel and ERP systems, and familiarity with Tyler Munis/SSRS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or Public Administration required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Two to four years of progressively responsible experience in financial analysis, budget development, forecasting, or related finance functions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; experience with ERP/financial management software; familiarity with Tyler Munis or similar tools.

Responsibilities

• Leads and coordinates the annual budget development process and maintains budget schedules and materials.
• Analyzes proposed revenues, expenditures, staffing, programs, and services; supports forecasting and financial modelling.
• Prepares and analyzes financial reports, presentations, and management information for budgets and performance.
• Provides financial analysis to City departments and serves as a finance partner for budget development and monitoring.
• Supports long-range financial planning, debt service, and capital needs analyses; contributes to GFOA budget award submissions.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Public finance

GAAP

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Tyler Munis

SSRS

Job description

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: $72,000 - $80,000 dependent on qualifications.

Max of range: $93,883.05

IMRF Pension Eligible Position

Key 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.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

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

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.