Financial Analyst @ Business & Finance

Washoe County School District; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Washoe County School District is seeking a Financial Analyst to support its Capital Projects Program. Under general direction, the role develops budgets, monitors expenditures, and performs financial analyses to aid fiscal management and reporting.

The analyst will back up the Senior Accountant, prepare project cost projections, and ensure compliance with governmental fund accounting standards while maintaining internal controls and documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field required.
• One year of professional accounting, financial analyst, or budget analyst experience preferred; governmental experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of GAAP and governmental fund accounting.
• Licenses or certifications: none.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, monitor and analyze capital project budgets and schedules, including mid-year amendments.
• Identify budget variances and provide corrective action recommendations.
• Track project costs from inception to closeout and monitor obligations.
• Assist leadership with Capital Improvement Plan budgets and reporting for committees and the Board.
• Develop cost analyses, variance analyses, trend reports and financial projections.

Skills

Budget analysis

Financial reporting

Variance analysis

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Tools

Excel

Accounting software

ERP system

Job description

Summary Description Under general direction, the Financial Analyst performs professional budget development, budget monitoring and financial analysis duties to support effective fiscal management for the District's Capital Projects Program. The position also supports the Senior Accountant and Assistant Controller in the financial management of the Capital Projects Program by performing elementary accounting duties as a backup to the Senior Accountant.

• Prepares, monitors and analyzes capital project budgets and supporting schedules, including the mid-year budget amendments submitted to the Department of Taxation.
• Identifies budget variances and provide recommendations for corrective action.
• Tracks project costs from inception through completion and closeout.
• Calculates and tracks retainage in compliance with NRS 338.
• Reviews project budgets, expenditures, encumbrances, and funding sources to ensure compliance with approved appropriations and funding restrictions.
• Assists District leadership in preparing the project budgets for the District's Capital Improvement Plan, including the preparation of reports for presentation to the Capital Funding Protection Committee and the Board of Trustees.
• Develops cost analyses, variance analyses, trend reports, capital project cost projections, burn-rates and operational performance reports, utilizing financial modeling and analytical methodologies.
• Identifies budget variances, unallowable costs, and timing issues within capital project spending.
• Inputs, updates, and maintains capital project budgets in the financial management system, ensuring proper budget controls and accurate posting to fund and project codes.
• Tracks obligated versus unobligated balances and ensures compliance with governmental fund accounting principles.
• Documents process findings and recommends operational improvements to enhance efficiency and internal controls.
• Calculates interest earnings for capital funds and arbitrage reports required for tax-exempt bonds.
• Supports the duties of the Senior Accountant, such as processing progress payments and other duties.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

FINANCIAL ANALYST

Summary Description

Under general direction, the Financial Analyst performs professional budget development, budget monitoring and financial analysis duties to support effective fiscal management for the District's Capital Projects Program. The position also supports the Senior Accountant and Assistant Controller in the financial management of the Capital Projects Program by performing elementary accounting duties as a backup to the Senior Accountant.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Prepares, monitors and analyzes capital project budgets and supporting schedules, including the mid-year budget amendments submitted to the Department of Taxation.
• Identifies budget variances and provide recommendations for corrective action.
• Tracks project costs from inception through completion and closeout.
• Calculates and tracks retainage in compliance with NRS 338.
• Reviews project budgets, expenditures, encumbrances, and funding sources to ensure compliance with approved appropriations and funding restrictions.
• Assists District leadership in preparing the project budgets for the District's Capital Improvement Plan, including the preparation of reports for presentation to the Capital Funding Protection Committee and the Board of Trustees.
• Develops cost analyses, variance analyses, trend reports, capital project cost projections, burn-rates and operational performance reports, utilizing financial modeling and analytical methodologies.
• Identifies budget variances, unallowable costs, and timing issues within capital project spending.
• Inputs, updates, and maintains capital project budgets in the financial management system, ensuring proper budget controls and accurate posting to fund and project codes.
• Tracks obligated versus unobligated balances and ensures compliance with governmental fund accounting principles.
• Documents process findings and recommends operational improvements to enhance efficiency and internal controls.
• Calculates interest earnings for capital funds and arbitrage reports required for tax-exempt bonds.
• Supports the duties of the Senior Accountant, such as processing progress payments and other duties.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting or any other related field required.

Experience: One (1) year of experience as a professional accountant, financial analyst or budget analyst required. Experience in a governmental organization is preferred.

Licenses/Certificates: None.

Knowledge Of

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

• Principles and practices of governmental budgeting, cost/benefit analysis and other financial analysis, and financial management.
• Principles of report writing
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and governmental fund accounting requirements.
• Internal controls, audit requirements, and financial compliance standards.
• Laws and regulations of governmental budgeting.

Skill In

• Performing mathematical calculations and financial analysis.
• Researching and resolving financial discrepancies.
• Preparing and reviewing journal entries.
• Utilizing financial software, spreadsheets, financial systems, and reporting tools.
• Conducting cost and variance analyses to support decision-making.
• Communicating financial information clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Maintenance of budgetary controls.
• Preparing detailed budget documents and projections.

Ability To

• Make written and oral presentations.
• Operate a personal computer and use a variety of software including spreadsheets and word processing
• Analyze a variety of information and data and exercise sound professional judgment in analyzing financial information and resolving issues.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial records, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Maintain and improve internal controls, financial processes, and system effectiveness.
• Work independently while exercising initiative, accountability, and discretion.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial and organizational information.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment and 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 made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

• Exposure to weather: Never
• Exposure to loud noises: Rarely.
• Working in confined spaces: Rarely.
• Working at heights: Never.
• Working with hazardous materials: Never.

Physical Demands

• Lifting/Carrying: Rarely.
• Standing/Walking: Rarely.
• Bending/Stooping: Rarely.
• Reaching:
• Pushing/Pulling: Rarely.
• Climbing:
• Fine motor skills: Continuously.

Definitions

• Never: The activity or condition does not occur.
• Rarely: The activity or condition occurs less than 10% of the time.
• Occasionally: The activity or condition occurs 10-30% of the time.
• Frequently: The activity or condition occurs 30-60% of the time.
• Continuously: The activity or condition occurs more than 60% of the time.

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION.

The Washoe County School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veterans or military status, marital status, disability or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicap in any of its educational programs/activities and employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The District prohibits discrimination against any youth group listed in Title 36, as a patriotic society, (i.e. Boy Scouts of America) from access to public school facilities use.