ESCONDIDO UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT CLASS SPECIFICATION BUDGET ANALYST DEFINITION Under direction of the Director of Fiscal Services, to prepare, administer, monitor and maintain the District's consolidated budget document in accordance with District policy, State and federal guidelines and sound fiscal management principles; to assist in developing the District's long-range and short-range financial plans; to perform fiscal analysis related to budget and financial management; to prepare complex financial reports for the District and federal, State and County agencies; and to perform related duties as assigned. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, The incumbent of this single-position classification is responsible for helping prepare and monitor the annual consolidated District budget. Work involves coordination of the budget process with District and site administrators. A thorough knowledge of public sector budgeting, well-developed communication skills and independent judgment are required. This position plays a key role in providing assistance and information to District administrators during forecasting, budget development and policy strategy and development meetings. TYPICAL DUTIES Prepares and monitors the District's annual consolidated budget document; works closely with administrators in the formulation, development and maintenance of their annual budgets; analyzes, verifies, compiles and inputs school, program and department budget requests and maintains related records; identifies budget concerns and potential overruns and makes recommendations regarding action needed. Assists in developing and implementing the District's long-range financial plan; provides input and recommendations to District administration to determine and set overall District strategy, policies and goals; coordinates and provides input to the District administration to review and set overall District budget strategy, policies and goals in conjunction with the long-range financial plan; assist with the assessment of the impact of the long-range financial plan on District operations; translates the long-range plan into the annual budget. Assists with developing and preparing multi-year projections using District internal and external sources; analyzes and interprets for administration the impacts and implications of plans and projections; computes supply, field trip, staffing and other formula allocations for sites based on current attendance data. Assists Director in finance area by preparing and analyzing records or reports; assists with preparing long-term debt schedules for COP's, bonds, capital leases and annual bond disclosures. Develops replacement schedules and financial impacts of major capital equipment and component purchases; assists and participates in budgeting decision-making with District administration. Develops/improves the budget process and communicates changes; develops an annual budget process that achieves the District's objectives; prepares and distributes budget instructions, software and budget policies; prepares and distributes informational materials related to budget preparation; provides technical expertise and guidance to site and District personnel regarding budget/financial information and problems; attends and conducts workshops and meetings related to budget preparation, maintenance and control. Downloads financial information from central system; obtains relevant information from departments; calculates expenses, revenues and statistics by account codes; analyzes information and researches areas of concern; identifies trends; highlights findings in a written report to accompany financial and statistical information. Develops complex budget and financial reports and spreadsheets in accordance with State criteria and standards, District administrative requests, and federal and County requirements; prepares financial and operational records and reports as required, including findings/trends and recommendations, for District administration, so decisions can be made to deal with changes and operational situations; distributes reports to District administration and the Board as appropriate. Maintains the integrity of the approved District budget by reviewing and balancing financial data and accounting for monies spent. Reviews and inputs budget transfer requests. Makes recommendations to Director on a wide variety of financial and budgeting problems or situations based on technical information and analysis; assists Director in developing information tracking systems and reports; sets up systems for tracking grant-funded projects. Analyzes cost and operational impact of legal requirements, policy changes, management decisions, and potential labor agreement; analyzes costs of multiple proposals and compares financing alternatives for capital acquisitions develop cost and pricing models; prepares cost model reports on individual budget components; performs cost benefit analysis on various projects; develop standard costs; monitors and analyzes expenditures and operations; and makes recommendations for cost containment; assists other Department personnel with audit assistance, year-end closing and collection of developer fees as needed. Performs related duties as assigned. EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS Knowledge of: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); principles and practices of governmental accounting, including auditing methods, practices, and procedures, general ledger systems, bookkeeping and profit and loss accounting; California State School Accounting Manual; Standardized Account Code Structure rules; budget development, preparation and maintenance for a complex organization; State, County and federal guidelines and regulations related to public sector fiscal management including applicable sections of the California State Education Code; commonly used computerized accounting and budget software, including spreadsheets, databases and reporting; oral and written communication skills; District organization, operations, policies and objectives; interpersonal skills including tact, patience and courtesy; correct English grammar and vocabulary; modern business office practices, procedures and equipment; principles of training and work direction. Ability to: Analyze budget and financial data; read, comprehend, interpret, apply and explain complex legal requirements, guidelines and procedures related to accounting, budgeting and school finance; prepare, maintain, balance and record budget requests and expenditures; prepare, review and analyze District, County, State and federally-mandated reports related to budget and financial management; collect, calculate, analyze, verify, reconcile, summarize and interpret complex data accurately; provide assistance and technical guidance to others in preparing and maintaining school and program budgets; use good judgment in resolving problems, prioritizing work, and informing supervisor of actions taken; explain concepts and 'regulations in ordinary conversations and formal and informal presentations; work independently and reliably with little direction; organize and complete a heavy workload within established timelines; operate a personal computer and peripherals for data collection, monitoring, analysis and reporting; establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with individuals at all levels inside and outside of the organization; train and provide work direction to others as assigned; prepare complex reports and compose letters; handle multiple priorities effectively; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; operate a 10-key calculator by touch; work efficiently with constant interruptions; and meet schedules and time lines. Essential Physical Activities and Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting, while sitting for extended periods of time at a desk or computer workstation. May travel to District sites and/or meetings outside the District. Needs sufficient visual acuity to read regulations, written records and reports and computer screens all day; sufficient hearing to comprehend ordinary conversation in person or on the telephone; sufficient clarity of speech to be understood when explaining concepts and regulations in ordinary conversations and formal and informal presentations; needs physical ability to operate a computer; must have stamina to work overtime during peak periods and year-end closing; must be able to lift and carry 25 pounds to store/retrieve archived data in storage boxes. Mental Functions: Sufficient ability to interpret and communicate complex fiscal or legal regulations, analyze massive amounts of financial or statistical data and to resolve program-wide financial or statistical operational problems. Typical Background: Any combination equivalent to graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a degree in accounting, finance, business or public administration or other related field and at least three years of progressively responsible professional budget preparation experience in a computerized system environment. Experience in preparing the consolidated agency-wide budget for a school district or other public sector organization is highly desirable. Licenses and Other Requirements: Valid California driver's license and transportation. Qualifications: In order to be considered qualified for a vacancy in this classification, a candidate must possess the required background and successfully demonstrate such background, knowledge, skills and abilities through an examination process. December 1999- Marlys Grodt & Associates Adopted by the Personnel Commission 12/16/99 Revised 12/18/08 (Alicia Thier). Revisions adopted by the Personnel Commission 12/19/08. Revised 07/24/2009-AT