Budget Analyst IV - Austin, United States - Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services

Description

Job Description:

Budget Analyst IV
Performs advanced budget preparation and financial analysis work.

The work involves examining, reviewing and analyzing operating budgets and methods of finance, compiling statistics, and ensuring funding has been allocated appropriately.

Recommends solutions on funding related issues to management and finalizes budget adjustments as necessary. Prepares internal and external reports to include the Monthly Financial Report (MFR), Operating Budget and Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR). Coordinates and analyzes data received from the program to ensure legislative mandates are met. Provides technical advice to departments staff on budgetary matters, reviews requisitions and expenditures.

Uses a variety of software applications to include CAPPS, HRMS, Access, Excel, ABEST, USAS and Word to perform job functions.

Works under direction of the Unit Manager with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement, creating and recommending new policies and procedures for a more efficient workflow.

This position has the ability to telecommute up to %.

Essential Job Functions:
(30%) Prepares and coordinates the development of the annual operating budget process preparing projections and building budget need by department level, appropriation and account code. Establishes methodologies to create program projections by department and ensures funding sources are allocated and budgeted appropriately by Object of Expense and Method of Finance. Oversees and communicates with program budget analysts to ensure funding sources are budgeted correctly according to the General Appropriation Act (GAA). Uses Microsoft Excel & Access to setup operating budget & prepare for load into CAPPS. Assists program budget analysts with task profile setup in the CAPPS HCM system for the operating budget and for daily operations. Monitors, reviews, and analyzes expenditure patterns ensuring allocations are maintained properly within budget and funds are used appropriately according to legislative intent. Coordinates with management and program budget analysts to determine the potential need for reallocation, realignment, or budget adjustments for programmatic requirements. Uses CAPPS Financials to run queries for data extractions to compile financial reports for program and management review using Excel, Word or Access documents. Researches and identifies unusual financial activity and informs management, explaining the cause of the issue and recommending solutions. Compiles financial data using program projections and CAPPS financials for internal and external non-routine Ad Hoc reports. Tracks capital requests, approval & expenditures, and ensures the capital funding follows the rules within the GAA.

(20%) Analyzes and certifies fund availability for procurement requests within the CAPPS financial system. Ensures the correct chart field and coding elements are provided to program for requisitions and encumbrances for the divisional budget and verifies the appropriate use of funding is maintained. Analyzes funding patterns, creates, and finalizes budget transfer to align funding as needed. Utilizes CAPPS Financials and the Comptroller USAS system to research funding need by running trial balances and/or accounting details.

(20%) Analyzes expenditure trends in monthly financial reports using data from CAPPS financials and communicates findings to program. Recommends solutions on deficits and provides guidance on spending trends and other budgetary matters. Prepares assignments for program staff and coordinates the gathering of information received. Reviews data, and prepares standardized and Ad Hoc reports requested by management, department staff, the Legislative Budget Board, the Governor's Office of Budget & Planning, the State Comptroller, the State Auditor's Office & the Health and Human Services Commission. Trains budget and program staff on reporting functions to include financial policies & procedures along with various Microsoft Software.

(10%) Oversees the preparation & development of the legislative appropriations request (LAR), the external Governor's Legislative Operating Budget (GLOB), and the Monthly Financial Report (MFR). Compiles draft appropriation requests using Access and Word to data dump financial information and produce mock LAR and GLOB reports. Assembles data into five-year budgetary schedules by Strategy Requests, Sub-strategy Requests, Exceptional Item Requests, Federal Funds Supporting Schedules, & Revenue Collections Supporting Schedules. Coordinates with program making necessary revisions for accuracy & conformance with the LBB produced instructions. Enters financial information into the LBB system, Automated Budget and Evaluation System of Texas (ABEST). Oversees and maintains supporting documentation used to build all LAR and GLOB schedules for reference throughout the year for LBB inquiries.

(10%) Analyzes cost estimates and fiscal notes for proposed legislation using past expenditures to project potential costs/revenues of implementation. Measures the impact of existing & proposed state & federal legislation on DSHS programs. May maintain the Access Database that contains current and past legislative session estimates and fiscal note information, used for management analysis. Provides technical assistance to program staff on preparing cost estimates and fiscal notes. Responds to budgetary inquiries from the legislature, Governor's Office, state and federal agencies, & the Legislative Budget Board in a short timeframe. Prepares and ensures the accuracy of all the Agency's performance measures.

(10%) Performs other financial duties as assigned. Participates as financial representative on various agency wide workgroups to develop and establish financial policies and procedures. Works with other agencies to include the Health and Human Services Agency on improving and standardizing procedures. Performs research to find financial software that could enhance business practices. Assists Unit Manager and Team Lead by reviewing financial reports and analysis prepared by Program Budget Analysts.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of state accounting and budgetary procedures Knowledge of legal restrictions governing the allocation of funds.

Skills in computer software including, but not limited to Excel, Access, CAPPS, HRMS, USAS, ABEST and other governmental financial or human resources applications.

Skills in CAPPS queries, Access, and budget journals. Skill in preparing legislative appropriations requests. Skill in preparing, monitoring and analyzing operating budgets.

Ability to work well with supervisor, staff, and the public. Ability to prioritize assignments and meet work deadlines. Ability to work independently with limited supervision. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public. Ability to follow oral and written instructions. Ability to prepare clear, concise and accurate financial reports and schedules. Ability to train others. Ability to prepare, monitor, analyze and report on performance measurement. Ability to assess, interpret, and communicate financial data. Ability to prepare financial information and produce briefing documents