BUDGET ANALYST
DEFINITION
Under direction, performs a variety of complex professional administrative and analytical work in support of the City's budget development, monitoring, and administration; conducts research and analysis of financial, budgetary, and operational data; reviews and analyzes departmental budgets, expenditures, and revenues; prepares budget projections, reports, and recommendations; and performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This journey-level classification is responsible for independently performing professional analytical duties in support of the City's budget functions, including budget development, monitoring, analysis, and reporting. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Incumbents apply working knowledge of public sector budgeting principles, municipal accounting, and financial analysis to support City-wide and departmental budget preparation, expenditure and revenue monitoring, and financial reporting.
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Assists in the coordination, preparation, development, and administration of the City's operating and capital budgets; prepares and analyzes budget projections, revenue forecasts, and expenditure trends; develops detailed reports incorporating prior year projections, historical actuals, and revenue tracking spreadsheets to support citywide forecasting and budget development activities.
Plans and coordinates budget timeline, meetings, and communications; assists department staff throughout the budget process; monitors citywide budgets.
Processes and reviews budget entries, including but not limited to, budget amendments, transfers, corrections, staff reports, and departmental budget requests.
Assists in the development of the City’s 5-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget; maintains CIP schedules and carryovers.
Participates in the year-end closing process; analyzes budget to actual variances; gathers information from various sources for audit purposes.
Assists in updating and maintaining the City's chart of accounts and manual.
Processes and reviews Finance Department contracts, invoices, requisitions, and purchase orders; verifies account coding and funding availability; monitors changes for subsequent fiscal year forecasting.
Assists with special projects; researches issues, conducts surveys, studies, analysis, and produces documents recommending appropriate courses of action.
Participates in evaluating, developing, and updating financial procedures and fiscal practices; recommends improvements to departmental work methods that enhance effective budget administration; and compiles information to prepare manuals, documents, resolutions, and publications related to budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal policy; participates in the development of departmental budget-related goals and objectives.
Handles sensitive and confidential financial, budget, and personnel-related information with discretion.
Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Performs related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public sector budget preparation, administration, and control, including operating and capital budget development, monitoring, and reporting.
Principles and practices of municipal accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, including fund accounting and governmental accounting standards.
Principles and practices of budget forecasting, revenue projection, and expenditure analysis.
Financial, statistical, and comparative analysis techniques for interpreting budget documents, financial statements, agreements, and related fiscal records.
Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, report preparation, and presentation applied to budgetary and financial data.
Principles and practices of position and salary cost analysis, including position allocation, salary budgeting, and benefits cost projection.
Principles and procedures of recordkeeping, document processing, and financial filing systems.
Chart of accounts development and maintenance, including program, object code, and project number administration.
Principles and practices of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) administration, including schedule tracking, expenditure monitoring, carryover management, and funding source analysis.
Municipal codes, purchasing policies, personnel rules, and legal requirements pertinent to budget administration and fiscal operations.
Mathematical principles and statistical techniques applied to budget and financial analysis.
Principles and practices of sound business communication, including budget document preparation and financial reporting.
Recent and ongoing developments, current literature, and sources of information in governmental budgeting and municipal finance.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Ability to:
Research, analyze, evaluate, understand, interpret, and apply budgetary and financial programs, policies, procedures, and guidelines, and develop sound recommendations.
Plan and conduct effective budget, financial, administrative, and operational studies.
Prepare and analyze operating and capital budgets, budget projections, revenue forecasts, and expenditure analyses.
Monitor position allocations, calculate salary and benefit amounts to be budgeted, and complete position cost analyses.
Analyze financial statements and account balances; research increases and decreases; identify trends, variances, and anomalies; and provide clear explanations for management use.
Prepare clear and concise correspondence and reports on a variety of financial, budgetary, and administrative issues.
Perform responsible and difficult analytical work involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.
Collect, analyze, interpret, summarize, and present financial and technical information and data in an effective manner for a variety of intended audiences.
Conduct meetings, give presentations, and accurately convey budget and financial information.
Understand, interpret, explain, and apply federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations pertinent to public sector budgeting and finance.
Evaluate and develop improvements in budget and financial operations, procedures, policies, and methods.
Develop and administer assigned budgets and accurately track and process receipts of revenues and payments of expenditures.
Use mathematical functions and principles and perform complex arithmetic calculations accurately.
Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration, economics, or a related field.
Experience: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional administrative and analytical experience in governmental budgeting, financial analysis, or municipal finance.
Licenses and Certifications:
None.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in and walking between work areas is required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
Budget Analyst
September 2026
FLSA: Exempt