Budget Manager

Job Summary:

The objective of the Budget Manager is to analyze, recommend, and report on budgetary and financial activities in conformity with generally accepted budget principals and legal requirements as prescribed by state statute and City policies and procedures. The position provides advice and technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, financial forecasting and budget preparation. The position evaluates program effectiveness in operations and procedures to recommend improvements. The position coordinates the annual citywide budget process, creates and implements budget procedures and policy, and presents the annual budget to City Council and all interested parties in a variety of formats.

 

 Key Responsibilities:

·        Development of the annual budget and strategic plan and working with the Council, Mayor, and City Manager to manage the various initiatives and tasks throughout the year.

·       Monitoring of the budget, including revenue analysis and trend assessment, and management of citywide personnel cost updates and review of interdepartmental direct cost charges.

·       Reviews all changes to the budget and provides budgetary control and analysis to departments on an ongoing basis. 

·       Synthesizing preliminary budget proposal decisions to review with the City Manager and then writing/facilitating the main City Manager budget message released as part of the Budget Book.

·       Development of key budget presentations to City Council throughout the budget process, including a fiscal outlook presentation early in the process and the proposed budget overview later in the process.

·       Speaking to the press/media on key issues related to the budget process or fiscal impacts of other current citywide projects underway.

·       Oversee the community engagement efforts related to the budget throughout the year, including meetings, surveys, and synthesis and reporting out of community feedback.

·       Work with Finance staff to analyze General Fund revenue and expenditure trends, and develop strategies for year-end, culminating in an in-depth year-end performance report.

·       Work with Finance staff to analyze all the other funds and develop in-depth proformas on key funds as necessary, as well as implementation of any actions needed to maintain the health of funds.

·       Oversee, validate, and synthesize analysis on costings requested by Human Resources Department as it relates to negotiations with the City’s labor groups and prepare slides for updates to City Council.

·       Monitor and identify key strategic issues for discussion and decision-making and raise them with the City Manager on a regular basis.

·       Developing and providing professional growth opportunities for Finance staff.

·       Plans and schedules the time frame for budget process and administers the distribution of all budget materials. Instructs and assists departments, City staff, and agencies in compliance with established guidelines and completion of budget forms. 

·       Evaluates submitted departmental and agency proposals as to fiscal impact and prepares reports of findings for administrative review. 

·       Meets with various departments and agencies to review plans, goals, objectives, and purchasing needs as required. 

·       Performs professional fiscal analysis and research in support of the preparation and administration of operating and capital budgets, including compilation of data based on statistical studies and analysis of past and current years. 

·       Prepares multi-year forecasts of revenues and expenditures and advice on bond issues and debt services. Reviews operating and capital budgets periodically to analyze trends affecting budget needs. 

·       Assists in developing long-range capital and financial planning strategies, recommends goals and objectives; assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures. 

·       Identifies and prepares written budgetary controls.

·       Acts as primary support to the Finance Director in the financial administration of the City. 

·       Assist with grant applications, evaluate financial proposals, and develop long-term strategic plans.

·       Prepare other ad hoc reports as requested.

Qualifications:

·       Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, accounting, or a comparable field of study.

·       Three years minimum of full-time experience in budgeting, auditing or finance.

·       Experience in governmental budgeting required. Strong financial modeling skills.

·       Proficient with Microsoft Office products: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

·       Knowledge of financial regulations and laws.

·       Proficiency in financial software and systems.  Edmunds and CaseWare, preferred – not required.

·       Strong knowledge of government regulations and procedures.

·       Ability to work with tight timelines and manage multiple priorities.

 

Skills and Competencies:

·       Strong analytical, quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills are crucial.

·       Be comfortable working with complex financial information.

·       Have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, ability to communicate across all levels of the City.

Physical Demands: The role may involve both sedentary office work and physical tasks at events, indoors and outdoors.

Work Environment: The position is office-based with the potential for outdoor work during events.

Application Process: Applicants may be required to complete written exams, physical exams, drug screenings, polygraphs, and background checks. Applications can be submitted at the Human Resource Office, 971 Wilson Road, Riverdale, GA 30274, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Thursday. Applications are also available online at www.riverdalega.gov.