Financial Analyst

$42.11 - $51.18/hour

Steps 1 - 5

OR

Accounting and Finance Technician

$32.89 - $39.98/hour

Steps 1 - 5

'The Financial Analyst position performs technical and complex accounting and analytical work in the preparation, development, maintenance, and implementation of the City’s budget, financial records, reports, and programs. The Accounting and Finance Technician position assists, coordinates, and supports the City’s financial programs.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess a strong foundation of finance and accounting knowledge and have the ability to apply these technical skills to successfully analyze complex data, prepare technical journal entries, maintain comprehensive budgets and financial forecasts, and make recommendations on complex finance functions.

Financial Analyst Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs financial activities in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), which may include budget, general accounting, cash and debt management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and grant management; compiles and analyzes financial information; prepares budget transfers and journal entries; performs financial forecasting and reconciliations; prepares financial statements and reports; and makes sound financial recommendations
• Presents detailed budget reports and analysis and financial forecasts to the City’s Budget Team
• Maintains the City’s position budgeting and personnel forecast
• Compiles and analyzes department budget requests, includes making recommendations on complex budgets and finance functions
• Oversees the City’s revenues; performs detailed revenue analysis; prepares and recommends revenue budget adjustments
• Acts as budget liaison to all departments; monitors, forecasts, and identifies revenues and expenditures; evaluates the short- and long-term impacts of budget adjustments
• Monitors and keeps informed of current trends in assigned program areas, including legislation, court rulings, and professional practices and techniques; evaluates the impact of these trends; recommends policy and procedural modifications to ensure compliance
• Assists with the City’s financial programs; may assist with aspects of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); audits City funds and accounts
• Supervises staff performing accounting, financial forecasting, accounts payable, and/or accounts receivable functions; establishes goals and professional development opportunities for employees; trains, develops, and mentors employees; evaluates performance and resolves employee performance issues
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with City employees, outside agencies, professional associates, and the public
• Performs other financial-related duties and special projects

Accounting and Finance Technician Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs a wide variety of technical and complex accounting and budget analysis, including project and program coordination
• Prepares, maintains, and analyzes a variety of comprehensive financial forecasts and records; reconciles accounts
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, spreadsheets and memos
• Assist in the preparation of the annual, mid-year, and year-end budget and audit processes
• Researches, compiles, and organizes data for a variety of projects or reports
• Prepares routine journal entries
• Responds to internal and external finance-related requests for information
• May supervise an assigned work area; establishes goals and professional development opportunities for employees; trains, develops, and mentors employees; evaluates performance and resolves employee performance issues
• Performs other financial-related duties as assigned
• Attends various meetings as assigned

Financial Analyst Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or related field
• Four years of increasingly responsible professional accounting experience, preferably in local government
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C driver license
• Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary will be considered

Accounting and Finance Technician Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Three years of responsible accounting, finance, or related experience
• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field is highly desirable
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C driver license may be required
• Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary will be considered

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to supervise, lead, and train employees
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify innovative solutions to financial issues and to research and effectively resolve discrepancies, errors, and issues that arise
• Strong communication skills with an open and inclusive communication style; the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, with City employees, outside agencies, elected officials, and the public; the ability to explain financial reports and complex financial information to non-financial users
• Strong interpersonal skills; the ability to work both independently and within a team environment; ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, state/local agencies, vendors, and the public
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task, work with constant interruptions, and meet time-sensitive deadlines
• Strong attention-to-detail and the ability to effectively input, review, and reconcile financial data and produce work that is both accurate and complete
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to effectively respond to finance-related questions and issues that arise in a professional and timely manner
• Strong math skills and the ability to perform complex mathematical calculations both quickly and accurately
• Strong computer skills and the ability to work within computerized financial systems and with computer applications, including Microsoft Excel and Word
• Strong work ethic and the ability to demonstrate a high level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality, including the ability to establish trust and earn respect from others
• Ability to lift, drag, and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds

Additional Knowledge and Abilities for Financial Analyst level:

• The ability to mentor, motivate, and evaluate employees, including the ability to provide constructive feedback, resolve difficult employee relations issues, and enhance teamwork
• Thorough knowledge of municipal accounting, budgeting, and auditing principles and practices, including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Ability to interpret and apply federal laws, state laws, and City codes, policies, procedures and regulations and make program changes to retain compliance
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to gather, analyze, and interpret financial data to prepare financial statements, perform financial forecasting, and make sound financial recommendations
• Ability to make effective presentations to various groups and make budget recommendations; ability to present budget reports and analysis to the City’s Budget Team

Additional Knowledge and Abilities for Accounting and Finance Technician level:

• Strong knowledge of, and the ability to apply, accounting principles, practices, and laws pertaining to financial programs

This position will remain open until filled. The first review of applications will be on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

An online completed City application form is required to apply for this position. All employment information must be provided on the application. Providing a resume is not a substitute for completing this section of the application. Applications left incomplete, or with a reference to attachments may be rejected. The selection process will include one or more of the following: written exam, technical knowledge assessment, writing skill assessment, and/or oral interviews that may be conducted in person and/or via video conferencing. Applicants that meet minimum qualifications and are selected for interviews will be required to disclose information regarding criminal convictions. If you require special accommodations to participate in the application/selection process, please notify Human Resources for assistance.

All offers of regular employment with the City of Santa Clarita are made contingent upon receipt of proof of legal right to work in the United States, successful completion of a post-offer pre-employment physical, which may include a drug screen and Department of Justice fingerprinting. Criminal offender information will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The City uses the E-Verify program to electronically confirm work authorization of newly hired employees. All new employees are required to participate in the DMV Employer Pull-Notice Program. This program authorizes the City to receive a driver record report upon enrollment and during employment. Only degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation will be accepted.

As a City of Santa Clarita public employee, you may be called upon to work as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW) in the event of an emergency (in accordance with Government Code §§ 3100-3109). Before entering upon the duties of employment, all public employees, except those excluded by law, take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation set forth in the California Constitution, declaring them to be Disaster Service Workers in time of need.

Compensation includes enrollment in California Public Employees’ Retirement System as a replacement for Social Security plus a competitive benefits package. All appointments are made at step 1 of the salary range unless otherwise authorized by the City Manager.

The City of Santa Clarita is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Santa Clarita offers CalPERS Retirement contributions as a replacement for Social Security plus a competitive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance.