Senior Financial Analyst

JOB CODE: 1408

PAY GRADE: 2240

SALARY RANGE: $47,595 - $80,659

LOCATION OF WORK
Finance or Retirement Department

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the direction of a higher classification, performs advanced level professional accounting work and financial analyses of the utmost complexity in the Finance or Retirement Department. Work involves responsibility for the application of professional accounting principles, practices and techniques and the ability to apply them to municipal or public pension accounting situations, as well as interpreting accounting data for appropriate reporting. Among the duties usually performed are preparation of complex financial reports and statements requiring knowledge of the entire accounting system of the agency served, in-depth analyses of technical financial information, and maintenance of a complete set of accounting records involving complex accounting functions or supervision of an accounting unit engaged in complex accounting functions. Work requires the exercise of independent judgment in accordance with established policies, rules and regulations. Supervision may be exercised over professional, paraprofessional and clerical/fiscal personnel through the inspection of completed work. Employees of this classification are distinguished from Financial Analysts by a greater level of experience, as well as a greater degree of authority and responsibility exercised. Performs other work as requested.

ESSENTIAL WORK TASKS
Prepares special analyses and reports requested by supervisor which requires knowledge of the total accounting system; provides technical assistance to other agencies needing professional accounting services at a high level of complexity. Maintains the subsidiary ledger for the City's general fixed assets; reconciles and reports asset balances in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR); calculates and reports depreciation amounts in the CAFR; implements and maintains City-wide fixed asset policies and procedures. Prepares complex audited financial statements for proprietary funds including reconciliation of fixed asset records, recording of depreciation, and cash flow analyses. Analyzes technical financial information and makes recommendations to management for use in major policy decisions; participates in the preparation of system wide year-end analyses and reports; recommends revisions of large scale accounting systems based on extensive analyses of such system. Prepares cash flow analyses to be used by management regarding the financing of capital improvements, including the timing and amount of long-term debt issuances. Interprets federal tax laws, sales tax laws, purchasing rules and regulations, and travel rules and regulations to determine proper application of these laws. Explains accounting procedures and reports to outside auditors to assist them in the examination of financial statements. Monitors federal and state grants to ensure compliance with applicable regulations; reviews budgets for grant applications; analyzes federal and state grant expenditures to ensure grant guidelines are met, and allocates appropriate costs to various projects; prepares monthly and quarterly financial reports as required by grantor agencies; and analyzes cash flow and requests cash reimbursements as necessary; attends Preliminary Grants Review and Contracts Review Committee meetings. Prepares audited notes to financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) including researching guidelines and determining correct implementation. Analyzes Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements and applies requirements to City-Parish accounting policies. Advises financial analysts and employees in other departments on financial analyses and the proper reporting and recording of financial information in accordance with GAAP and GASB pronouncements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of modern accounting principles, practices and procedures, and how they may be applied to municipal or public pension accounting situations. Knowledge of basic mathematics and statistics used in accounting work. Knowledge of business English used to prepare brief narrative reports. Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and equipment. Skill in the operation and care of computers, calculators and other office machines used in connection with accounting work. Ability to supervise the work of a small accounting and clerical staff. Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions as well as the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, City-Parish employees, and officials and to exercise initiative and judgment in difficult situations. Ability to use a computer for word processing and spreadsheet applications. Ability to apply good work habits such as punctuality, reliability, preciseness, and dependability in order to effectively complete assigned tasks and contribute to the smooth operation of the department and division.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS