Financial Systems Analyst I

County of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Barbara seeks a Financial Systems Analyst I/II with strong technology and finance background to support design, testing, implementation, and evaluation of financial accounting systems. This flexible hybrid role will contribute to process improvements within the Behavioral Wellness Department in Santa Barbara, CA.

You will coordinate system design and testing, resolve issues, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to enhance workflows and financial controls across county

Qualifications

• Solid background in technology and finance.
• Analytical mindset with ability to coordinate design and testing of systems.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates manual and automated financial accounting work processes, systems, and procedures for efficiency and conformance to government accounting principles; gathers information on processes and technology; identifies needed improvements and analyzes design alternatives.
• Obtains input and feedback on system needs from appropriate parties; assigns and reviews work of staff; interacts with staff to resolve issues related to platforms and data communications; conducts evaluations of system performance and makes modifications as necessary.
• Reviews and evaluates proposals for new departmental systems involving financial accounting methods, policies, and procedures; evaluates internal controls; monitors procurement, development, and implementation; assists staff in maintenance of accounting information systems.
• Prepares and presents evaluations, proposals, and recommendations to executive management; prepares specifications and documentation for new and revised accounting systems.

Skills

Technology background

Finance background

Job description

Salary:

Financial Systems Analysts I: $110,258.72 - $132,899.52 Annually

Financial Systems Analysts II: $115,498.24 - $139,299.68 Annually

The County of Santa Barbara seeks a Financial Systems Analysts I/II who has a solid background in technology and finance. We are establishing one employment list to fill current and future vacancies for full-time and part-time positions. The current vacancy is within the Behavioral Wellness Department, located in Santa Barbara, CA.This will be a flexibly hybrid position.

In this role, you will participate in and coordinate the design, testing, implementation, and evaluation of both automated and manual financial accounting systems. Additionally, you will be responsible for supporting system processes, resolving issues, and improving workflows as part of an innovative and collaborative team.

Listed below are department descriptions for the three departments that have this position:

Behavioral Wellness Department was founded in 1962, it is the mission of the Department of Behavioral Wellness to promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction among individuals, families and communities, by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services. The Department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients with mental illness and substance use disorders annually through its professional staff of over 400, in addition to its many contracted Community-Based Organization (CBO) providers. For more information, please visit: http://www.countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness

Auditor-Controller’s Office is one of the most innovative, efficient, and effective departments in local government. This position is a great opportunity for an experienced problem solver who is detail-oriented, enjoys data and technology, and desires a rewarding career in public service — where your job makes a difference.

Treasurer-Tax Collector-Public Administrator is responsible to the voters of Santa Barbara County to receive, safeguard, and invest county, school, and special district funds; to collect property and other taxes and revenues; to administer decedents’ estates and public conservatorships for county residents; and to assist county veterans in obtaining State and Federal Benefits.

BENEFITS:

For more information on County benefits, please click HERE

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Financial Systems Analyst I/II is a flexibly staffed series. Incumbents learn County accounting policies and procedures and the operation of existing accounting systems and provide functional supervision over professional, technical, and clerical accounting staff and systems analysis and programming staff.

Financial Systems Analyst I

is the entry-level class, in which incumbents are responsible for coordinating the design, modification, and implementation of smaller or less complex systems or processes, involving only one or a small number of departments. Incumbents are expected to progress to the II level within a reasonable period of time.

Financial Systems Analyst II is

distinguished by its responsibility for coordinating the design, modification, and implementation of a full range of financial accounting systems, including large, complex, Countywide systems, such as the Financial Management Information System.

The Financial Systems Analyst class series is distinguished from the Accountant-Auditor class series and from the EDP Systems and Programming Analyst class series in that incumbents integrate their knowledge of systems analysis and design methods, computer application systems and development procedures, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards to develop, modify, and implement financial accounting systems.

1. Evaluates manual and automated financial accounting work processes, systems, and procedures for efficiency of workflow and conformance to principles of government accounting; gathers information on processes, organizational structure, policies and procedures, and computer technology; identifies needed process improvements and analyzes system design alternatives for new financial accounting systems and improvements to existing systems.
2. Obtains input and feedback on system needs from appropriate parties; assigns and reviews the work of accounting and systems analysis and programming staff in developing or modifying systems; interacts with staff to resolve issues and problems related to platforms and data communications; conducts or obtains evaluations of system performance and makes modifications or adjustments as necessary.
3. Reviews and evaluates proposals for new departmental systems involving financial accounting methods, policies, and procedures, and recommends needed improvements; evaluates internal controls and security of new and existing automated accounting applications to ensure adherence to auditing standards; monitors the procurement, development, and implementation of those systems to ensure proper integration with other financial accounting systems; assists departmental staff in the ongoing maintenance of accounting information systems.
4. Prepares and presents comprehensive evaluations, proposals, and recommendations to executive management, advisory committees, and elected officials; prepares specifications and documentation, such as user manuals and systems/code documentation, for new and revised computerized accounting systems.

1. Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Accountant; AND one year of professional experience as an accountant, auditor, or computer programmer analyst that included participation in the design of financial accounting systems; OR,
2. Possession of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, computer science, or a related field, AND two years of professional experience as an accountant, auditor, or computer programmer analyst that included participation in the design of financial accounting systems; OR,
3. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge of:

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, including internal control systems; Generally Accepted Auditing Standards; methods of systems analysis and computer systems design; computer programming principles; applications development procedures; relational databases and database design methods; principles and practices of project management; standard English usage and grammar.

Ability to:

gather and analyze data, develop solutions, project consequences, and evaluate results; plan, organize, and prioritize work; establish and maintain working relationships with a variety of County staff and vendors; interact with staff with limited computer knowledge; prepare a variety of written documents; make presentations to groups; maintain impartiality and objectivity; learn principles of governmental accounting and County accounting policies and procedures; provide direction to others.

Recruitment Process

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Application Ranking: Candidates that meet the employment standards will have their application evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their application that demonstrates the skillset outlined in the ideal candidate section. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must pass every step in the selection process and receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the application ranking assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on an employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

REASONABLEACCOMMODATIONS

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Conditional Job Offer:

Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Disaster Service Workers:

Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Statement of Commitment The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Friday, October 23, 2026 at 4:59PM PST; Postmarks are not accepted. Applications and job postings can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Collin Graham: [e-mail]