Job Information
State of Montana Budget Analyst in Helena, Montana
Work Unit Overview: * The Conservation and Resource Development Division(CARDD) of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC)is responsible forproviding technical and financialassistanceto local governments, state agencies and private citizens for conservation, development,protectionand management of the state's natural resources. *Job Overview: * This position, under the supervision of theDivision’s Financial Administrator,is responsible forbudget activities associated with the preparation,implementationand monitoring of various program budgets within thedivision. This includes assisting in budget preparation for each legislative session, implementation of thedivision’sbiennial budget, working with budget officers within various programs, preparing budget modifications if necessary, andmonitoringmonthly budget status. Position works closely with budgetstaff in the Director’s officein personal services and expenditure projections for budgeting. Position will also be involved in special fiscal projects,stateand federal grant accounting,reconcilingand reporting, and overall fiscal management of various programs. *Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):/ //These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent./ // BudgetPreparation and Monitoring * Prepares and administersdivisionbudgetary information using knowledge of budgetary practices, state and federal requirements, the Statewide Accounting,Budgetand Human Resource System (SABHRS) and the Internet Budget and Reporting System (IBARS). * o Prepares budget projections for variousprograms within thedivision, after analyzing data from SABHRS and IBARS and projecting recurring and one-time expenditures and revenues for the program. o Reviews the financial plans prepared by thedivision programsfor compliance with legislative appropriations and state and federal grant awards. o Projects revenues for various programs by compiling information,allocatingcosts, collating data, reconciling problem information, and summarizing conclusions. o Prepares turnaround documents and enters operating budgets for SABHRS organizational units by compiling information,allocatingcosts, collating, and reconciling problem programmatic information. o Prepares Budget Change Documents (BCD’s) for the State budgeting and appropriation purposes and works closely with theFinancial Services Office within the Director’s office. FiscalManagement * Develops and/or designs, implements, or revisesdivisionaccounting proceduresregardingstate and federal funds using knowledge of state and federal regulations and stipulations. * o Designs spreadsheets tocomply withstate and federal standards and reporting requirements by researching stipulations and applying knowledge of accounting programs and their applications. o Remain abreast of policies and procedures contained in Federal Circular A-102 and A-87, monthly Circular updates, individual grant agreements, MOMS fiscal year-end Management Memo and the Office procedure manuals. o Requests advances or reimbursements of funds from the various state and federal agencies and private entitiesto fund these grants on an as needed basis. o Ensures that year-end accounting adjustments result in proper revenue accruals or deferrals to attaina zero-fund balance within state and federal accounts. * Responsible for accounting for and reconciliation of financial information. * o Responsible for analyzing accounting processesutilizinga thorough knowledge of accounting theory, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), governmental accounting standards (GASB), SABHRS, and the Contract and Grant System (CGS). o Prepares and enters complex SABHRS transactions. Ensures transactions are valid and reliable, and that proper state and federal regulations and guidelines are adhered to in the disbursement of state monies. o Reconciles general ledger account balances to supporting financial documentation. Supporting documentation includes reports from the internal systems such as CGS. Identifiesdiscrepancies between account balances and supporting documents andresearchescauses of discrepancies. Transacts financial entries and takes other corrective actions that may be necessary to resolve discrepancies between the general ledger account balances, supporting documents and subsystem data. o Develops and recommends procedures to upgrades to internal systems to address specific problems that may arise. Assistsdivisionstaff in proper budgeting procedures. * Performs financial analysis. * o Performs analysis on a wide range of data requiring an extensive knowledge of various programs, SABHRS, IBARS, and general accounting and budgeting theory. o Reviews and monitors program revenues and disbursementson a monthly basis. Verifies that all accounts are accuratelyidentified, calculated, and correctly recorded for financial reporting purposes. Stays abreast of current state and federal legislation, pronouncements, and new developments that affect program financial matters. o Analyzes financial data for reasonableness and trends. Performs ratio analysis to gauge trends and financial integrity of the programs. * Performs the following duties as needed: * o Assistsin thein executive budgetingandlegislative appropriations processes. o Participate in long-range budget-building processes. o Research and prepare fiscal notes and reports for executive and legislative fiscal impact of legislative bill proposals. It is not expected that this position will supervise staff. *APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: The DNRC may include the following factors in determining whether an applicant meets the qualifications of a position vacancy by: State of MT application form, cover letter, current resume, educational requirements, structured interview, a performance test, job-related reference checks, job-related work experience, job-related past and current performance. REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR THIS POSITION ARE: * Resume * Cover letter * /TIP: When attaching your resume, cover letter and other material, you must mark the attachments as "relevant"/* Benefits: * Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays * Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage * Retirement Plans * Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service to learn more and see if you may qualify! Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): * Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, statistics, or related field. * Two years of directly related budgeting experience. * Other combinations of education or experience may be substituted. Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: * Thorough knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of accounting and fiscal management with emphasis on governmental fund accounting. * Thorough knowledge of GAAP, especially as it relates to governmental operations, GAAFR, GASB and Federal OMB Circulars. * Thorough knowledge of the legislative process and state budgeting process. * Thorough knowledge of IBARS and SABHRS operation. * Knowledge of Montana Codes Annotated (MCA), Montana Operations Manual (MOMS), and the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARMS). * Ability to interpret and analyze accounting records and prepare complex financial reports. * Ability to resolve complex accounting problems within accounting legal limitations through manipulation, analysis, reconciliation of accounting records, and application of proper accounting principles. * Knowledge of state and federal governmental policies and procedures applicable to state government accounting, loan disbursement and financial reporting. * Ability to independently to plan, organize and carry out project based work. * Must have thorough knowledge of spreadsheets and word processing. Special Information:* Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months. * Eligibility to Work: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card". The state of Montana does not sponsor. * * *Title: *Budget Analyst Location: Helena Requisition ID: 24143265