Highland Park, IL – Financial Analyst

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

Job summary

The City of Highland Park is seeking a Financial Analyst to join its Finance Department and play a key role in the City’s annual budget process, financial planning, and management decision-making. Develops models, forecasts, and reports to support departments and executive leadership. Ideal candidates have two to four years in municipal finance, strong Excel and reporting skills, and familiarity with budgeting software.

CPA and/or CPFO preferred. IMRF pension eligible position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or Public Administration required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Two to four years of municipal or governmental financial analysis and budgeting experience; CPA and/or CPFO preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate annual budget development and maintain budget schedules.
• Develop forecasts, financial models, and reports for management and stakeholders.
• Provide analytical support to City departments and cross-functional teams.
• Research, benchmarking, and special projects related to budgeting and finance.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Tyler Munis

SSRS

ERP software

Job description

The City of Highland Park is seeking a Financial Analyst to join its Finance Department and play a key role in the City’s annual budget process, financial planning and management decision-making. This position is ideal for a finance professional with strong analytical skills who can develop financial forecasts and models, analyze revenues and expenditures and work collaboratively with departments across the organization. The successful candidate will bring experience in budgeting, financial analysis and reporting, with municipal or governmental finance experience preferred.

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

Essential Duties and 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:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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