Financial Analyst, Senior

at  Minneapolis Public Schools

Below is specific information for you to consider about this position.
Job Title: Financial Analyst, Senior and Requisition ID number: 101327
Close Date: No established closing date; open until filled
Organizational Unit: Budget & Planning (10000957)
Site: Davis Center (0001)
FTE: 1.0 FTE; this is based on full-time equivalency with 1.0 being full time
Union: MACA(02)
Functional Area: Administrative
Resume and Cover Letter are mandatory to apply for any position.

SUMMARY

Under general supervision, performs complex professional-level financial, budgetary, administrative, organizational, systems and related analytical work; provides information to management by assembling and summarizing financial data; prepares reports, and makes presentations of findings, analysis, and recommendations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Creates budget models as needed to evaluate information and be able to explain the results; performs work within scope of authority and training; duties may vary according to job assignment.
• Determines cost of academic programs and operations by establishing standard cost structures and collecting data in order to allocate appropriate resources during budget planning.
• Compares and analyzes actual costs with budget plans and forecasts and make recommendations for efficiencies.
• Analyzes and interprets data using comparative analyses, studying trends and proposing changes in budget methodology.
• Examines whether current budget proposals can be achieved within revenue constraints and inform management of potential problem areas.
• Assists Budget Director to develop final District consolidated budget of $850 + million and finalize budget allocations to all school and departments for General Fund, Community Education, Food Service, Construction and Debt Service funds.
• Assists Budget Director with development of annual budget document.
• Develops plan to oversee expenditures and identify trends in spending.
• Develops revenue and expense forecasts for future budget needs.
• Ensures compliance with current budget and spending practices and proposed improved practices and systems for spending guidelines, cost savings, cost allocation and annual budget planning.
• Ensures that the MPS budget and business processes are updated, revised and rewritten in order to reflect changes in district, state and Federal requirements.
• Works with Finance team to streamline internal reports and reporting processes to create more efficient, effective and more useful reports and analysis for the Board of Education and other stakeholders.
• Conducts a variety of technical, operational and analytical studies; conducts independent research; evaluates alternatives and makes recommendations; prepares technical, statistical and narrative reports.
• Performs special projects as they arise at the request of senior management.
• Maintains fiscal oversight for assigned functional areas within the District; reviews and approves departmental expenditures to ensure compliance with budgetary and policy guidelines; recommends and implements budget adjustments as required.
• May direct the work of others on a project or day-to-day basis.
• Leads, develops and presents materials to the Finance Division.
• Develops and evaluates short and long-term strategies to facilitate delivery of improved departmental services.
• Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.
• Other duties or tasks may be assigned on an as-needed basis
• At times may be required to work outside normal business hours and work extended hours to accomplish requirements of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines
Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a closely related field; AND five (5) years of professional experience in budget analysis; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles and practices of organizational and management analysis.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Data sampling and statistical analysis techniques.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for Public Sector financial management.
• State and Federal laws, statutes, rules, codes and regulations governing financial functions, including State of Minnesota Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS).
• Financial record keeping and bookkeeping practices and techniques.
• School Academic programs

SKILL IN:

• Monitoring and interpreting budget documents, and assuring compliance with all regulatory requirements governing public sector financial activities.
• Reviewing interrelated budget and technical records, and identifying and reconciling errors.
• Interpreting, explaining and applying principles and practices of public agency budgeting, cost and revenue projection, revenue control and contract administration.
• Maintaining accurate financial, budgetary and cost control records and preparing accurate and timely reports.
• Assisting assigned departments in developing goals, objectives, performance measures and procedures.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Advanced electronic spreadsheet construction.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A valid Minnesota Driver’s License may be required.

• Creates budget models as needed to evaluate information and be able to explain the results; performs work within scope of authority and training; duties may vary according to job assignment.
• Determines cost of academic programs and operations by establishing standard cost structures and collecting data in order to allocate appropriate resources during budget planning.
• Compares and analyzes actual costs with budget plans and forecasts and make recommendations for efficiencies.
• Analyzes and interprets data using comparative analyses, studying trends and proposing changes in budget methodology.
• Examines whether current budget proposals can be achieved within revenue constraints and inform management of potential problem areas.
• Assists Budget Director to develop final District consolidated budget of $850 + million and finalize budget allocations to all school and departments for General Fund, Community Education, Food Service, Construction and Debt Service funds.
• Assists Budget Director with development of annual budget document.
• Develops plan to oversee expenditures and identify trends in spending.
• Develops revenue and expense forecasts for future budget needs.
• Ensures compliance with current budget and spending practices and proposed improved practices and systems for spending guidelines, cost savings, cost allocation and annual budget planning.
• Ensures that the MPS budget and business processes are updated, revised and rewritten in order to reflect changes in district, state and Federal requirements.
• Works with Finance team to streamline internal reports and reporting processes to create more efficient, effective and more useful reports and analysis for the Board of Education and other stakeholders.
• Conducts a variety of technical, operational and analytical studies; conducts independent research; evaluates alternatives and makes recommendations; prepares technical, statistical and narrative reports.
• Performs special projects as they arise at the request of senior management.
• Maintains fiscal oversight for assigned functional areas within the District; reviews and approves departmental expenditures to ensure compliance with budgetary and policy guidelines; recommends and implements budget adjustments as required.
• May direct the work of others on a project or day-to-day basis.
• Leads, develops and presents materials to the Finance Division.
• Develops and evaluates short and long-term strategies to facilitate delivery of improved departmental services.
• Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.
• Other duties or tasks may be assigned on an as-needed basis
• At times may be required to work outside normal business hours and work extended hours to accomplish requirements of the position