Financial Analyst - Salem, OR

Job Description:

Recruitment #: 443-06-23

Closes: Open Until Filled

Location: Salem, OR

Salary: Starting at $5,438 per month with excellent benefits. (See below)

Agency Sponsored: Medical/Dental 100% paid for employee and 90-98% for dependents, generous Paid-time off, Public Employee Retirement (PERS), Employee Assistance Plan, Long Term Disability, great culture.

Employee paid: Deferred Compensation, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, Colonial Life Supplemental Plans, Legal Shield.

General Description

Meets Agency mission and vision by performing a wide range of advanced professional and analytical accounting activities in support of the Agency's Finance and Budget Manager. Serves as a technical resource to fiscal services staff.

Essential Functions

1. Support Finance and Budget Manager to meet goals and objectives.
2. Perform advanced professional accounting activities and financial transactions.
3. Serve as a technical resource to fiscal services staff and other agency personnel.
4. Facilitate confidence in the Finance Analyst, and therefore the Agency and programs.
5. Protect consumers and reduce Agency risk.
6. Provide excellent customer service in a professional manner.

1. Support Finance and Budget Manager to meet goals and objectives

• Assist in the preparation of the annual agency budget, specific department budgets, including periodic budget amendments; perform research and provide requested financial data.
• Prepare monthly financial summaries with a narrative discussing budget highlights, trend factors, noted assumptions, and other pertinent information.
• Work with Finance and Budget Manager and independent auditors in preparing financial reports and performing financial analysis.
• Assist with the preparation of monthly reports and billings to all state and federal funding agencies; serve as a back-up person responsible for preparation of reports and billings.
• Serve as the agency’s Random Moment Sampling System (RMSS) point person.
• Analyze financial systems to recommend improvements to meet operational objectives.
• Identify problem areas, conduct accounting-related research, and recommend solutions to problems/issues.
• Provide information and feedback on necessary changes.

2. Perform advanced professional accounting activities and financial transactions in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)

• Perform a wide range of advanced accounting, auditing, and budgeting assignments including preparation of journal entries, and review of transactions prepared by staff.
• Ensure all financial transactions meet state and federal guidelines and regulations.
• Analyze financial data to verify accuracy of record, appropriate account charting, necessary transfers, etc.
• Serve a back-up for processing of all incoming bills, invoices, and other payables for payment; maintain vendor payment files.
• Monitor agency checking and investment pool transfers and balances.
• Reconcile bank accounts, make ledger entries.
• Prepare OAA/OPI and other program reimbursement requests and reconcile and monitor Medicaid Type B and SPD financial ledgers.
• Serve as back-up to Accounting Specialists and Fiscal/Program Operations Analyst.

3. Serve as a technical resource to fiscal services staff and other agency personnel

• Serve as technical and knowledge expert, assist with updating and developing unit work procedures and standards.
• Collaborate with staff members in development of policies and procedures involving financial transactions.
• Provide technical and analytical assistance to fiscal staff.
• Act as technical resource for budget and expenditure information.
• Identify areas for improvement in policies, procedures, and practices, etc. and recommend improvement/corrective actions.
• Develop automated reporting and financial tools for efficient use of data.

4. Facilitate confidence in Financial Analyst, and therefore the Agency and programs

• Embrace and exhibit the agency’s Mission and Core Values.
• Meet the needs of internal and external customers by following through, meeting deadlines, and interacting with others in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner.
• Maintain the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively perform duties.
• Provide suggestions for improvement.
• Maintain working knowledge of Agency programs and services.

5. Protect consumers and reduce Agency risk

• Follow policies, regulations and requirements of the programs and Agency.
• Maintain current knowledge of state, federal and public sector accounting requirements; identify and research requirements as needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of GASB requirements.
• Provide documentation as set forth by Federal, State, funding regulations and Agency policy.
• Confirm evidence of accurate and appropriate supporting fiscal documentation.
• Serve as Mandatory Reporter of suspected abuse of vulnerable populations according to and as required by policy regulations.
• Maintain and share information according to privacy regulations.

6. Provide excellent customer service in a professional manner

• Apply the required knowledge and skills.
• Exhibit sound decision making and problem solving.
• Meet quality standards in accuracy and timeliness.
• Follow policies and procedures.
• Work independently but seek and offer assistance as needed.
• Exhibit the technology skills related to the required work (word processing, spreadsheets, database, internet research, mail, email and IM communications, electronic scheduling, phones, and copiers).
• Exhibit a positive attitude towards consumers, co-workers, supervisors, and other constituents.

Job-Specific Skills Needed to Meet Agency Expectations

In order to best serve consumers, the Financial Analyst must have, know, or be able to learn:

• Knowledge of advanced accounting practices and principles.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Principles, laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Knowledge of Federal and State funding and service programs.
• Knowledge of governmental financial management practices and various financial reporting.
• Ability to interpret funding guidelines, regulations, and policies.
• Current knowledge of RMSS.
• Knowledge of documentation requirements and public auditing requirements.
• Understanding of public contracting and procurement procedures and requirements.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
• Ability to use report writers to effectively analyze financial data and advanced spreadsheet skills.
• Demonstrable advanced knowledge and proficiency in the use of MS Office applications such as Excel spreadsheets, pivot tables, charts; MS Office Word processing; MS Office PowerPoint presentations, and the ability to use and learn any technological applications and tools essential to the position.
• Intermediate Oregon Access knowledge.
• Ability to identify, track and correct errors.
• Excellent database management skills.
• Experience with accounting and database software.
• Project management skills.
• Ability to use independent professional judgment and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to explain complex technical information and collaborate with others.

General Skills needed to Meet Agency Expectations:

• Support the agency mission and exemplify its core values – integrity, professionalism, service, and compassion.
• Demonstrate good interpersonal communication skills through written, verbal, and nonverbal communication. 
• Maintain and share information according to privacy regulations.
• Strategic thinking and sound organizational skills.
• Effective workload management skills to meet deadlines in a timely, accurate, and efficient manner.
• Follow policies, regulations and requirements of work projects and Agency; document plan and progress as required. 
• Speak, read, write, and understand English and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Regular attendance to meet the demands of this job and provide necessary services.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Experience and Skills:

Minimum Qualifications – Experience and Education

A qualified applicant will have a minimum of six (6) years of equivalent combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. The following qualifications meeting the minimum requirements will be considered:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field of study or equivalent of four years in business administration, accounting, or related field
• Work experience of advanced accounting/financial responsibilities, including financial systems.
• Experience with public sector or government fund accounting.

Other requirements

To be successful, candidates must adhere to the following:

• Secure and maintain a valid Oregon driver’s license or have an acceptable alternative means of transportation
• Attend work regularly to meet the demands of this job and to provide necessary services
• Complete and pass a criminal background check.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

This job is performed in the field, and in the office.  It requires occasional travel to Agency offices, including local errands and driving an Agency car or employee car.  Office work will be conducted using general office equipment and includes substantial sitting/standing and is performed primarily in a cubicle/office environment, with noise and interruptions, being on phones and working at a computer.

This job will typically be conducted during regular business hours.

These essential outcomes require regular sitting, walking, talking, hearing, computer use and writing; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up to 25 pounds.

Contact with the public in home or office environments may risk exposure to irrational/hostile behavior, contagious diseases, or contact with domestic animals.            

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Classification:  Financial Analyst

Position Number:

Salary Range: UN25

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Unit: Administration

Location: Salem

Reports to: Finance and Budget Manager

Union Status: Non-represented

Last revision: June 2023

This job description is a general guide for the job to be performed and does not cover everything. Employees may be required to perform other duties, including covering for, and in, other offices. Employees are expected to follow and perform other job-related duties requested by their manager.

Reasonable accommodation will be made as needed.

Job descriptions are subject to change.