FINANCIAL ANALYST III

City-of-Houston,-T; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Houston Finance Department is seeking an experienced budget and financial analyst to support sound decision-making across five funds totaling over $108 million. You will lead the annual government funds budget, prepare MFORs, and develop quarterly payroll and operating projections.

Strong SAP, Excel skills and cross-department collaboration are essential. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Finance or related field and at least three years of professional experience in budget

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or closely related field.
• Three years of professional experience in finance, economics, budget analysis or a closely related area are required.
• Master's degree may substitute for two years of the above experience.
• Experience with budget-to-actual, variance analysis and SAP or comparable financial system is expected.

Responsibilities

• Lead the department's annual governmental funds budget development and coordinate data collection for accuracy.
• Prepare Monthly Financial Operating Reports (MFOR) for five funds and reconcile discrepancies.
• Analyze financial reports and budget forecasts and present findings to leadership.
• Develop quarterly financial projections for payroll and operating expenses for five funds totaling over $108 million.
• Monitor daily SAP transactions and prepare journal entries to correct posting errors.
• Collaborate with multiple departments to report capital and operating expenditures and support decision-making.

Skills

Budget analysis

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Variance analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Process improvement

Decision support

Financial policy

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or closely related field

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Analyze financial information, monitor budgets and expenditures, identify trends and variances, prepare financial projections and reports, and provide recommendations to support sound financial and operational decision-making.
• Serve as team lead in preparing the department's annual governmental funds budget, coordinating data collection and ensuring accuracy throughout the budget development process.
• Compile and analyze various financial reports and budget forecasts, presenting key findings to leadership for annual budget discussions.
• Prepare Monthly Financial Operating Reports (MFOR) for five funds using MFORPrep software and identified discrepancies by reconciling results against the Finance Department's straight-line projections.
• Prepare monthly Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) report that analyzes annual staffing metrics against planned projections, detailing variances in staffing levels and percentages.
• Develop quarterly financial projections for payroll and operating expenses, analyzing data for 5 funds totaling over $108 million.
• Monitor daily financial transactions in SAP, research discrepancies, and prepare journal entries to correct posting errors.
• Analyze utility data (electric, water/sewer, and natural gas) and prepared ad hoc financial reports and spreadsheets for end-user's to support management decision-making.
• Serve as the backup Purchasing Card (P-Card) Coordinator by managing cardholder statements, updating transactions in JPMorgan PaymentNet based on submitted documentation, coordinating with the Strategic
• Procurement Division to resolve account coding, grant fund, and internal order discrepancies, and preparing year-end purchasing card accruals for processing.
• Serve as back-up Cost Center Approver ensuring expenditures comply with budgetary and financial policies.
• Prepare budget transfers, posting journal entries, and quarterly OBB performance submissions to the Financial Planning & Analysis Division.
• Collaborate with multiple departments to collect, analyze, and report financial data for capital and operating expenditures, including TPL survey reporting.
• Apply advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve complex financial issues while maintaining compliance with governmental accounting standards.
• Communicate financial information clearly through written reports, presentations, and collaboration with divisions.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking and standing. There are occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less-than-optimal temperature and air conditions. The position may involve dealing with modestly unpleasant situations, such as occasional exposure to office chemicals and/or extensive use of a video display terminal etc.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Three years of professional experience in finance, economics, budget analysis or a closely related area are required.

Substitution: Experience cannot be substituted for the Bachelor's degree requirement.

A Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field may be substituted for two years of the above experience requirement.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

None

**Eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**

• Experience preparing financial forecasts and projections.
• Experience performing budget-to-actual and variance analysis.
• Experience using SAP or a comparable enterprise financial management system.
• Experience preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Experience with personnel expenditure and FTE analysis.
• Experience with purchasing, procurement, or Purchasing Card administration.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience presenting financial information and recommendations to management.
• Experience working with multiple divisions, departments, or stakeholders.
• Experience leading financial projects or process- improvement initiatives.

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

The selection process will involve application review and/or interview.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION

YES

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade 21

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.