Budget Analyst

Salary: $3,300.00 - $3,900.00 Biweekly Location : 611 Walker Street Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 36879 Department: Finance Division: FIN-FINANCIAL PLANNING AND ANALYSIS Opening Date: 08/04/2025 Closing Date: 8/11/2025 11:59 PM Central POSITION OVERVIEW Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED Classification: Budget Analyst IV Division: Finacial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Section: Budget Management Reporting Location: 611 Walker Street Workdays & Hours: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM *Subject to change* DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Welcome to the City of Houston's Finance Department. Our Financial Planning and Analysis Division is responsible for development and management of the City budget and the Five-Year Plan. We play a key role in the Mayor's effort to build a vibrant, resilient and equitable Houston that works for all our two million residents. We have an exciting opportunity for a Budget Analyst IV to join our rapidly growing team of professionals in making Houston a city for everyone. As a Budget Analyst IV you will oversee the management of funds for the city-wide budget over $7 billion, in addition to the monthly and quarterly financial reporting, ad-hoc analysis for presentation and review by the Mayor. The Budget Analyst IV works collaboratively with City departments to deliver accurate consolidated financial reporting including monthly/quarterly financial forecasts, annual budget, long range planning and identify financial risks and opportunities. The ideal candidate should be able to perform financial and statistical analysis, provide on-going, timely and accurate ad hoc financial and data analysis, and evaluation and recommendation reports to support decision-making processes. Focus on forecasting future results, analyzing trends and looking for possible challenges before financial impacts are realized. FP&A BUDGET MANAGEMENT The role and duties of a Budget Analyst IV will include but not limited to: Coordinate and directs the development, implementation and monitoring of various financial activity and procedures to effectively manage budgets, programs and systems. Undertake in-depth analyses, make recommendations to management. Generates and oversees various budget and financial reports and others as requested by management. Establishes and maintains budgeting and accounting policies and procedures for the section. Proficient in analyzing financial information and providing variance and forecast analysis and reports. Review financial material and make recommendations as appropriate. Acts as a liaison for the department. Provide technical assistance, financial analysis, and budget analysis to various departments as necessary. Participates in other projects as requested by management. May provide forecast and analyze weekly, monthly and annual expenditures. The ideal candidate will have strong written and oral skills and be able to think critically and creatively. Must possess strong leadership and interpersonal skills; detail oriented with strong organizational and time management skills. Must be a self-starter and committed to completing tasks timely. Demonstrated customer service skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, internal and external stakeholders. Essential Attributes: Curious Learners - We are never done learning and always seek to improve. We are curious and dive deep to ask questions and better understand the City. We are skeptical of anecdotes and are willing to take the extra step to get the answers that we need to provide better insight or advice.Expertly Aware - We are experts. We understand our departments as well as anyone and, are a go-to resource for insight into what is going on in our areas of expertise. We also have relentlessly high standards for the work product we deliver and our skills and abilitiesGeared Toward Action - We know that speed matters. We prefer to be decisive and not wait for others to tell us how to do something. We prefer to fail quickly and learn from our errors than to wait for others to tell us what to do or how to do it.See the Bigger Picture - We understand the City's strategy and financial plan and know how it relates to our work. We question the value of the activities that we perform and always look for better, more efficient ways to accomplish our goals.Customer Focus - Keeping in mind the needs of both our internal and external clients when providing information. WORKING CONDITIONS The position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS Requires a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Four years of professional experience in finance, budget analysis, economic or a closely related field are required. Experience cannot be substituted for the Bachelor's degree requirement. A Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field may be substituted for two years of the above experience requirement. LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: None PREFERENCES Preference will be given to candidates with professional experience in the following areas: Budget and forecast preparationManagement and personnel reportingVariance analysisData AnalysisTechnical Assistance Financial and Budget Analysis experienceForecasting expenditures **Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.** GENERAL INFORMATION SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED Department may administer skills assessment test SAFETY IMPACT POSITION - NO SALARY INFORMATIONFactors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification. PAY GRADE: 25 APPLICATION PROCEDURESOnly online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: or call (832) 393-6051. If you need special services or accommodations, call (832) 393-6051. (TTY 7-1-1). If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627. Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process. All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided. EOE Equal Opportunity EmployerThe City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy. The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include: Medical Dental Vision Wellness Supplemental Insurance Life insurance Long-term disability Retirement pension 457 deferred compensation plan Employee Assistance Program 10 days of vacation each year 11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday Compensable Sick Leave Personal Leave Flexible schedules Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions Professional development opportunities Transportation/parking plan Section 125 pretax deductions Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves Healthcare Flexible Spending AccountFor plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html 01 Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable or a general discharge under honorable conditions? Yes No 02 Which best describes your education and experience? Master's Degree or beyond in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field and AT LEAST two (2) years of professional experience in finance, economics, budget analysis or a closely related field Master's Degree or beyond in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field and LESS THAN two (2) years of professional experience in finance, economics, budget analysis or a closely related field Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field and AT LEAST four (4) years of professional experience in finance, economics, budget analysis or a closely related field. Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field and LESS THAN four (4) years of professional experience in finance, economics, budget analysis or a closely related field. 03 What is your level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel? Basic Microsoft Excel: Open files and use page setup, enter, correct, and save data, use the menu commands, format cells, rows, and columns, understand navigation and movement techniques, use simple arithmetic functions in the formulas, access help, modify a database and insert data from another application, print worksheets and workbooks. Intermediate Microsoft Excel: Create, modify, and format charts, use graphic objects to enhance worksheets and charts, filter data and manage a filtered list, perform multiple-level sorting, use sorting options, and design considerations, use mathematical, logical, statistical, and financial functions, group and dissociate data and perform interactive analysis, create and modify some Macro commands. Advance Microsoft Excel: Customize the work area, use advanced functions (Names, VLOOKUP, IF, IS), work with Pivot Tables, use spreadsheet Web components, manage Macro commands: concepts, planning, operations, execution, modification, interruption, use personalized toolbars, perform some programming in VBA. I have no experience with Microsoft Excel. 04 Work setting experience (Check all that apply that can be verified). Financial forecasting/projections Variance/data analysis Preparing financial reports Review/analyze financial program/systems Budgeting Financial and management concepts, such as fund accounting Indirect cost allocation Program evaluation Strategic planning Budget formulation Budget execution and appropriation process Budget and forecast preparation Technical Assistance Financial and Budget Analysis experience Forecasting expenditures Local government None of the above 05 Describe your level of experience with respect to variance and data analysis. (Please note: stating 'see resume' is not an acceptable response and may delay your application process). 06 Please describe your level of experience with respect to budgeting and financial forecasting. (Please note: stating 'see resume' is not acceptable response and may delay your application process). 07 What parts of the budget process have you found to be most challenging and how did you overcome them? (Please note: stating 'see resume' is not an acceptable response and may delay your application process). 08 How many verifiable years of qualitative and quantitative research experience do you have? Less than two (2) years' experience Two (2) years' experience Three (3) years' experience Four (4) years' experience More than four (4) years' experience I have no experience 09 Do you have experience using SAP Financial Systems? Yes No 10 If you indicated you have SAP Financial Systems experience to question #9 above, briefly describe your experience utilizing SAP Financial Systems. If no experience, please indicate "N/A". (Please note: stating 'See Resume' may delay your application process.) 11 How many verifiable years of annual budgeting and reporting experience do you have? Less than two (2) years' experience Two (2) years' experience Three (3) years' experience Four (4) years' experience More than four (4) years' experience I have no experience 12 What is your level of experience in preparation of annual budgets over $50 million? 1 - 5 budget cycles 6 - 10 budget cycles More than 10 budget cycles I have no budgetary experience 13 Are you currently a City of Houston Finance employee? Yes No Required Question