North Lauderdale
Job Description This is a highly responsible position in the Finance Department under the direction of the Finance Director, which plans, manages, organizes, directs, and performs professional budgeting activities in accordance with the principles and procedures of public finance, budgeting, and budget control. This position plays a key role in the creation, implementation, and monitoring of the City’s financial plan including forecasting revenues and expenses, developing budget proposals, and analyzing financial data to identify specific areas for reducing costs. Responsible for ensuring best budgeting practices are applied and ensuring adherence and compliance of practices for the City. Work is performed independently under limited supervision with the requirement of ability to use initiative/independent judgment. Requires a high degree of accountability/analysis of work along with complex/specialized expertise in the field of knowledge related to budgeting practices. Work includes researching and collecting data, preparing clear and concise reports, and monitoring expenditures and revenues of assigned divisions and/or departments. An employee in this class must work effectively with and maintain communications with the Finance Director, City Manager, and other City employees. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports, observations, and success in achieving established goals. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS • Manages, coordinates, and participates in the development of the City’s annual performance-based budget., • Prepares revenue projections., • Develops preliminary and final budget documents., • Participates in budget hearings and departmental budget meetings., • Analyzes revenue and expenditure/expense variances relative to the adopted budget, and prepares reports to management as needed, providing recommendations., • Prepares five-year capital projects budget and monitors capital projects throughout the year for budgeting and spending practices and to ensure compliance with same., • Monitors contracts related to capital projects for compliance to budget and contract requirements. Develop a reporting mechanism to inform Finance Director and Solid Waste/Contract Accountant of contract compliance status and issues on at least a monthly basis., • Reviews financial reports relative to budget impact, and works with Finance staff and other departmental staff to resolve problems and discrepancies., • Works with departments to compile data necessary to analyze and determine operational/financial efficiency and effectiveness., • Ensures budgetary compliance with the Governmental Accounting, Auditing and Financial Reporting procedures, as they apply to all relevant laws, rules, and regulations., • Prepares/publishes annual budget, provides technical instructions which include timetables as provided by law, develops required forms, and explains the budgetary process., • Monitors and verifies budgetary revenues, balances, expenditures/expenses, and reserves for sufficiency and propriety of funding, compliance with control of expenditures by fund entity, and standardized chart of accounts coding., • Implements, monitors, and evaluates budget policies and procedures, making recommendations as needed., • Prepares various staff-related reports, resolutions, and ordinances as required. • Approves requisitions and check requests for the purpose of verifying budget is sufficient and appropriate general ledger accounts have been charged., • Assists department directors and managers in completing yearly budget requests and justifications., • Conducts cost benefit analyses as needed to assist in making management decisions regarding benefits of current and proposed program proposals, capital budgets, etc., • Creates financial models using electronic spreadsheets., • Performs complex budgetary and financial analysis; monitors legislative and regulatory changes; and provides management support for budget-related issues., • Develops models and prepares multi-year financial forecasts and operating cost projections., • Conducts studies to identify cost of services and assist in the preparation of fee studies., • Ensures compliance with financial/budgeting regulations and policies., • Prepares budget amendments as needed., • Participates in strategic planning., • Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality regarding critical and sensitive information, records, and reports., • Ability to understand/implement direct and indirect cost allocations as needed., • Skill in working independently and following through on assignments with minimal direction., • Performs related work as required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: • Knowledge of general and municipal governmental GAAP accounting and budgeting principles/procedure and fiscal management with the ability to apply such knowledge., • Knowledge of computer system applications relating to municipal accounting and finance, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook., • Ability to analyze accounting processes/problems and make effective recommendations for resolution, as well as ability to develop and implement new or improved accounting procedures, policies and techniques. • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, vendors/contractors, and the general public., • Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local regulatory laws, standards and requirements regarding budget processes., • Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality regarding critical and sensitive information, records, and reports., • Skill in working independently and following through with assignments with minimal direction. DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING • Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in budgeting, accounting principles and financial forecasting. Preference for municipal government experience., • Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university with a Bachelors’ Degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business, Public Administration or other closely related field. Any equivalent combination of experience and training may be considered.