Financial Analyst III – Commerce Finance

United Trading Group; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package eligibility

Job summary

The Utah Department of Commerce is seeking an experienced Financial Analyst III to join its Finance team in Salt Lake City. This role provides advanced financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, reconciliation, and financial management support across the Department of Commerce.

Hybrid work arrangement with in-person training at Salt Lake City office and up to 3 days remote after competency is demonstrated.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of combined professional experience and education performing governmental budgeting, accounting, financial management, or closely related financial analysis.
• Experience independently managing complex financial assignments, including reconciling financial information from multiple systems or sources.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel to analyze financial data, including formulas, lookups, pivot tables, or comparable analytical functions.
• Experience using financial information systems and reporting tools to research transactions, identify discrepancies, and prepare financial reports.
• Experience developing financial forecasts, models, analyses, or recommendations for management decision-making.
• Experience interpreting and applying financial policies, statutes, rules, or established procedures.
• Experience communicating complex financial information to executive leadership and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Finance analyst for assigned divisions, programs, appropriations, and funds.
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, revenues, available balances, encumbrances, commitments, and other financial activity.
• Maintain an understanding of the financial condition of assigned programs and identify emerging issues, risks, and funding pressures.
• Analyze financial activity and identify trends, discrepancies, unusual transactions, and potential financial concerns.
• Develop expenditure and revenue forecasts and provide supporting analysis and recommendations.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial reports for Finance leadership and executives.
• Review financial data for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance with applicable policies and requirements.
• Research and resolve discrepancies between financial systems, reports, supporting documentation, and program records.
• Analyze appropriated funds, dedicated credits, restricted funding, enterprise activity, and other funding structures as assigned.
• Monitor purchase orders, encumbrances, commitments, and other obligations affecting available funding.
• Support fiscal year-end closing, reconciliations, carryforward analysis, and fiscal-year transition activities.
• Develop and maintain budget execution tools, spreadsheets, dashboards, financial models, queries, and management reports.
• Perform revenue, fee, cost, workload, and cost-recovery analysis.
• Support development and review of legislative fiscal notes and other legislative financial analysis.
• Assist with budget requests, funding analyses, legislative information requests, and financial taskings from statewide and department leadership.
• Research statutes, appropriations, financial records, historical activity, and other information necessary to answer complex financial questions.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, strengthen controls, reduce manual work, and improve the quality and timeliness of financial information.
• Develop procedures, documentation, templates, and analytical tools that improve consistency and efficiency.
• Provide financial guidance and technical assistance to department employees and program managers.
• Coordinate with accounting, purchasing, budget, division administration, and other state financial partners.
• Perform advanced financial analysis and special projects with limited supervision.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Executive communication

Independent work

Education

Higher education in Finance/Accounting/Public Administration or related field

Tools

Power BI

Power Query

FINET/Utah state systems

Job description

Financial Analyst III – Commerce Finance

• Full-Time
• Salary – $30 - $39.68 Hourly Wage
• Hybrid
• Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package.

The Utah Department of Commerce is seeking an experienced Financial Analyst III to join its Finance team.

*This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

This position provides advanced financial analysis, budget execution, financial reporting, forecasting, reconciliation, and financial management support across the Department of Commerce.

Because of the complexity and pace of the work, Commerce is particularly interested in candidates who have experience performing financial functions within Utah State government and who are familiar with statewide financial systems, processes, policies, and budget requirements.

The successful candidate will be expected to quickly assume responsibility for assigned financial portfolios and perform complex assignments with a high degree of independence.

The Ability to attend the initial training period in-person at our Salt Lake City office, with the understanding that hybrid telework (up to 3 days per week) is available once you have demonstrated understanding and competency in the basic functions of the position.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Finance analyst for assigned divisions, programs, appropriations, and funds.
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, revenues, available balances, encumbrances, commitments, and other financial activity.
• Maintain an understanding of the financial condition of assigned programs and identify emerging issues, risks, and funding pressures.
• Analyze financial activity and identify trends, discrepancies, unusual transactions, and potential financial concerns.
• Develop expenditure and revenue forecasts and provide supporting analysis and recommendations.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial reports for Finance leadership, division management, and department executives.
• Review financial data for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance with applicable policies and requirements.
• Research and resolve discrepancies between financial systems, reports, supporting documentation, and program records.
• Analyze appropriated funds, dedicated credits, restricted funding, enterprise activity, and other funding structures as assigned.
• Monitor purchase orders, encumbrances, commitments, and other obligations affecting available funding.
• Support fiscal year-end closing, reconciliations, carryforward analysis, and fiscal-year transition activities.
• Develop and maintain budget execution tools, spreadsheets, dashboards, financial models, queries, and management reports.
• Perform revenue, fee, cost, workload, and cost-recovery analysis.
• Support development and review of legislative fiscal notes and other legislative financial analysis.
• Assist with budget requests, funding analyses, legislative information requests, and financial taskings from statewide and department leadership.
• Research statutes, appropriations, financial records, historical activity, and other information necessary to answer complex financial questions.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, strengthen controls, reduce manual work, and improve the quality and timeliness of financial information.
• Develop procedures, documentation, templates, and analytical tools that improve consistency and efficiency.
• Provide financial guidance and technical assistance to department employees and program managers.
• Coordinate with accounting, purchasing, budget, division administration, and other state financial partners.
• Perform advanced financial analysis and special projects with limited supervision.

Qualifications

• The Ability to attend the initial training period in-person at our Salt Lake City office, with the understanding that hybrid telework (up to 3 days per week) is available once you have demonstrated understanding and competency in the basic functions of the position.
• 4 or more years of combined professional experience and education performing governmental budgeting, accounting, financial management, or closely related financial analysis. (Note: A degree is not required. Relevant higher education in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or a closely related field may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis).
• Experience independently managing complex financial assignments, including analyzing and reconciling financial information from multiple systems or sources.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel to analyze financial data, including formulas, lookups, pivot tables, or comparable analytical functions.
• Experience using financial information systems and reporting tools to research transactions, identify discrepancies, and prepare financial reports.
• Experience developing financial forecasts, models, analyses, or recommendations for management decision-making.
• Experience interpreting and applying financial policies, statutes, rules, or established procedures.
• Experience clearly communicating complex financial information to executive leadership, program leadership, or other financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Experience preparing professional written financial analyses, explanations, recommendations, or briefing materials.
• Ability to professionally represent the Finance Office in meetings and respond accurately to questions from division directors, executive leadership, central budget offices, legislative staff, auditors, or similar stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and communicate effectively in a fast-paced environment with recurring and time-sensitive deadlines.

Preferred or trainable/on-the-job qualifications:

• 7 or more years of combined professional experience and education performing governmental budgeting, accounting, financial management, or closely related financial analysis. (Note: A degree is not required. Relevant higher education in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or a closely related field may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis).
• Current or recent professional State of Utah government budgeting, accounting, or financial-management experience.

Relevant experience may include:

• FINET or other Utah State financial systems.
• Utah State budget development and execution.
• State appropriations and appropriation structures.
• Dedicated credits and other state revenue sources.
• Governmental fund accounting.
• Revenue and expenditure analysis.
• Financial forecasting.
• Fiscal-year closeout and year-end processes.
• Encumbrance and purchase-order management.
• Financial reconciliations.
• Legislative fiscal notes.
• Budget requests and funding analysis.
• Financial taskings involving statewide financial partners such as the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, or Division of Finance.
• Utah State financial policies and procedures.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Power Query, Power BI, or comparable reporting and analytical tools.
• Development of financial dashboards, models, queries, or automated reporting.
• Process improvement and development of financial controls or procedures.

Who Should Consider Applying

This position may be a strong opportunity for a financial professional who has developed significant experience working with the State of Utah and is ready for increased responsibility and ownership.

Candidates do not need to currently hold the Financial Analyst III classification to demonstrate the knowledge and experience necessary to succeed in the position.

Successful candidates may have experience:

• Independently researching and resolving complicated financial issues.
• Managing budgets, programs, funds, or financial portfolios.
• Providing financial guidance to managers or program personnel.
• Performing analysis beyond routine transaction processing.
• Developing spreadsheets, queries, reports, dashboards, or other analytical tools.
• Identifying and resolving reconciliation issues.
• Improving existing financial processes.
• Translating financial data into information leadership can use to make decisions.

What Success Looks Like

The Financial Analyst III will be expected to become a trusted financial resource for assigned programs and portfolios.

The successful analyst will understand the financial condition of assigned areas, identify issues proactively, provide accurate and timely analysis, develop practical recommendations, and complete complex financial assignments with progressively less direction.

Commerce Finance is actively improving how financial information is analyzed, reported, and used throughout the department. This position will have a meaningful role in that work and an opportunity to develop broad experience across Utah State governmental finance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of governmental budgeting, accounting, and financial management principles.
• Ability to analyze large or complex financial datasets.
• Ability to interpret financial activity and identify trends, discrepancies, risks, and emerging issues.
• Ability to reconcile information from multiple systems and sources.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience using financial information systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to develop financial forecasts, models, reports, and recommendations.
• Ability to understand and apply financial policies, statutes, rules, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to financial and non-financial audiences.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet recurring and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to develop practical solutions to financial and operational problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to accountability and responsible stewardship of public resources.

About the Role

Location: 160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111
United States

Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Drug Test Required – No

Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency

The Department of Commerce is the licensing and registration agency for Utah's professional and business community. The Division of Corporations and Commercial Code provides oversight of business registrations, trademarks, and Uniform Commercial Code filings.

The Department's vision is to contribute to the success of Utah businesses, professionals, and consumers by creating a favorable economic environment. The Department's mission is to promote commerce and protect Utah consumers through fair commercial and professional practices. You should visit the agency website to learn more.

Supplemental Information

• Job Classification: Financial Analyst III (14216).
• Please note, a position's eligibility for remote work is established by agency management and is subject to change at their discretion at any time and for any reason.
• We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
• As a condition of employment with the Department of Commerce, employees shall receive compensatory time off in lieu of payment in cash for all overtime worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• DHRM rules apply for promotions/transfers.
• Effective July 1, 2021, in-state work rules require all work to be performed while physically within the state’s borders.
• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact [phone].