Principal Financial Analyst

Houston-Galveston Area Council; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 77,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston-Galveston Area Council in Houston, TX, seeks a Budget Analyst to lead operating budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting for multiple departments. The role emphasizes accuracy, process improvement, and cross‑functional collaboration.

You will work with department heads on long-range plans, monitor variances, ensure GAAP compliance, and mentor junior analysts while presenting findings to leadership.

Qualifications

• Strong experience developing, monitoring, and managing operating budgets.
• Ability to prepare financial forecasts, reforecasts, and long-range financial plans.
• Experience analyzing budget-to-actual variances and explaining key financial drivers.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Ability to analyze revenue, expenses, labor costs, departmental spending, and financial trends.
• Ability to identify risks, opportunities, and cost-saving recommendations.
• Solid understanding of GAAP, accrual accounting, general ledger activity, and financial statements.
• Ability to reconcile financial data and work closely with fiscal agent finance department during month-end and year-end close.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with ERP/accounting systems.
• Ability to prepare clear financial reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial managers.
• Experience working with team and department leaders to develop budgets and manage spending.
• Ability to challenge assumptions professionally and provide financially sound recommendations.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines.
• Experience leading budget cycles, improving financial processes, and mentoring junior analysts.
• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and decision-making abilities.

Responsibilities

• Annual operating budget preparation and forecasting
• Monthly budget-to-actual analysis and variance explanations
• Financial modeling and scenario analysis
• Departmental budget reviews and recommendations
• Headcount, payroll, and labor-cost forecasting
• Revenue and expense forecasting
• Management reporting and executive presentations
• Year-end projections and reforecasts
• Budget policies, procedures, and controls
• Excel/financial-model development
• Data analysis and reconciliation
• Preparing materials for leadership

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Financial modeling

GAAP

Data analysis

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP/Accounting system

Excel

Job description

About Houston-Galveston Area Council

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country with a diverse service area of 13 counties and more than 7 million people. We are the pulse of our region addressing issues that cross city limits and county lines every single day. We make decisions that affect our transportation system, ensure the safety and well-being of our seniors, connect people to jobs, help families recover from natural disasters, preserve water quality for our children, and so much more. We work to make the region a great place to live, work, and thrive.

What will I be doing?

• Annual operating budget preparation and forecasting
• Monthly budget-to-actual analysis and variance explanations
• Financial modeling and scenario analysis
• Departmental budget reviews and recommendations
• Headcount, payroll, and labor-cost forecasting
• Revenue and expense forecasting
• Management reporting and executive presentations
• Year-end projections and reforecasts
• Budget policies, procedures, and controls
• Excel/financial-model development
• Data analysis and reconciliation
• Preparing materials for leadership

Key Qualifications

• Strong experience developing, monitoring, and managing operating budgets
• Ability to prepare financial forecasts, reforecasts, and long-range financial plans.
• Experience analyzing budget-to-actual variances and explaining key financial drivers.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Ability to analyze revenue, expenses, labor costs, departmental spending, and financial trends.
• Ability to identify risks, opportunities, and cost-saving recommendations.
• Solid understanding of GAAP, accrual accounting, general ledger activity, and financial statements.
• Ability to reconcile financial data and work closely with fiscal agent finance department during month-end and year-end close.
• Advance Microsoft Excel Skills
• Experience with ERP/accounting system
• Ability to prepare clear financial reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial managers.
• Experience working with team and department leaders to develop budgets and manage spending.
• Ability to challenge assumptions professionally and provide financially sound recommendations.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines.
• Experience leading budget cycles, improving financial processes, and mentoring junior analysts.
• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and decision-making abilities.

Do you have…

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable academic discipline or related field of study.
• 3 years of experience working with local government, nonprofit programs, school or in job related duties.

Salary Range: $76,500.00 - $100,000.00

All employees of H-GAC are required to reside within the agency’s region of service to support our commitment to excellence in service of our region.

H-GAC is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or protected veteran status.