Senior Budget & Financial Analyst

GENERAL SUMMARY

 Responsible for facilitating and managing the design, development and implementation of budget policies, programs, tools and procedures; provides budget analysis, interpretation, and financial and statistical budgetary and reporting information and its implications for business decisions. The Senior Budget & Financial Analyst leads and coordinates property and program accounting and reporting activities that aids the Vice President of Fiscal & Business Operations and operational management in discharge of their fiscal responsibilities by performing the following duties personally or through the support of finance team members. Reports to the Vice President of Fiscal & Business Operations.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Formulate and recommend policies, objectives, budgets, plans, procedures and schedules for the company; develop, recommend, implement and monitor budget and financial planning programs.
• Manage the planning, coordinating, and development of the annual operating budgets and financial forecasts.
• Supervise the management of operating and multi-year budgets by Finance Department employees.
• Manage the creation and distribution of financial and analytical projections to various departments, operations, executive management, and the Board of Commissioners.
• Interface with executive management to determine current and future budgetary needs based on analysis developed, delivery briefings and make proposals to make budget adjustments as necessary.
• Serve as the Houston Housing Authority finance liaison with HUD on budget and financial planning issues. Supervise the preparation and submissions of required calculation, reports and compliance analyses.
• Liaison with other executive and operational departments to coordinate the use of data from all in-house accounting and finance systems to supply the most accurate data possible for budgets and analysis, and other highly visible aspects of business control.
• Accounting liaison with the Private Property Management accountants.
• Aid in the development and support of internal and external reporting needs with regard to financial, operational, and administrative requirements and oversee the appropriate creation of supporting analysis and data, including but not limited to the following:
  1. Prepare Monthly Profit/Loss & Operational Reports on the financial and operational activities of Public Housing and tax credit properties 
  2. Prepare all LIPHO Public Properties – Utility Consumption Reports
  3. Supervise   Public Housing Tenant Accounting, including the preparation of monthly Occupancy and Rent Roll Reports by Property AMP and monthly Tenant Allowance entries for “Negative Renter” 
  4. Complete analysis and reports for comparison of the HUD FDS submission and the General Ledger
  5. Prepare report for Management Fee Allocations, (PUM) and Houston Housing Authority Fee Subsidy
  6. Prepare Monthly Tax Credit Properties Expense Reports
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles.
• Knowledge of budget development and management principles.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of government financing.
• Knowledge of job related financial accounting software.
• Skill in the analysis of problems and the development and implementation of solutions.
• Skill in interpreting and applying federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Skill in the preparation of clear and precise administrative and financial reports.
• Skill in preparing and administering large complex budgets.
• Skill in oral and written communication. 
• Skill in supervising employees.
• Skill in developing and modifying complex models.  
• Ability to function in an environment of multiple and possibly shifting priorities. 
• Ability to interface with all levels of employees at the Houston Housing Authority.
• Ability to demonstrate judgment, tact and diplomacy in dealing with internal and external stakeholders.  
• Ability to take the initiative is extremely valuable. 
• Possess demonstrated leadership performance in positions of increasing responsibility.
• Possess independent decision-making and judgment skills.
• Possess analytical skills and the ability to perform complex financial and statistical analysis.
• Possess organizational skills to ensure that time schedules are met.  

COMPLEXITY / SCOPE OF WORK

• The employee performs a wide variety of related tasks ranging from routine and repetitive to relatively complex. The course of action is determined by established procedure, the Vice President of Fiscal & Business Operations, or the employee.  
• Tasks may have to be coordinated, integrated and/or prioritized.  
• Decisions regarding unusual circumstances are made by the employee with the advisement of the Vice President of Fiscal & Business Operations. 
• A significant amount of decisions are presented that require independent judgment and initiative. 
• The employee must have the communication skills and emotional maturity to clarify and provide information; coordinate, advise, influence, justify, defend, negotiate or resolve matters of priority within the Finance Department and across departmental boundaries.

GUIDELINES

• The Senior Budget & Financial Analyst refers to HUD regulations, contractual requirements of capital institutions and other third parties, generally accepted accounting principles, federal, state and local laws, and Houston Housing Authority policies and procedures in performing work.  
• These resources cover most job-related situations, although the employee is occasionally required to use independent judgment in making decisions. If resources and training do not cover a situation, the employee shall consult with the supervisor or make a decision based on the circumstances.
• Guidelines include Governmental Accounting Standards Board policies and procedures, relevant federal and state regulations, and grant fund accounting requirements. These guidelines require judgment, selection and interpretation in application.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

• The employee receives direction and guidance from the Vice President of Fiscal & Business Operations.  
• The Senior Budget & Financial Analyst determines the courses of action, deadlines and priorities, taking into account the priorities and expectations of the Vice President of Fiscal & Business Operations, Houston Housing Authority and HUD policies and procedures.  
• Routine duties are initiated by the employee without supervisory direction. 
• Instructions to the employee may be general or specific in nature.  
• Problems or situations not covered by instructions are usually referred to the Vice President of Fiscal & Business Operations for resolution.  
• The employee’s work is reviewed occasionally for accuracy, completion and compliance with policies and procedures.
• The employee supervises the necessary accounting department employees including the accountant(s) and the purchasing employees, and any other employees that may be added in the future. 

PERSONAL CONTACTS

• The employee has regular contact with executive employees, other Houston Housing Authority employees, board members, and residents. 
• Intermittently, the employee has contact with regulatory agency personnel and personnel from other Authorities, state and local agencies, contractors and business firms. The purpose of these contacts is to facilitate communications between executive staff members and other employees and persons outside the Houston Housing Authority.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Level of manual dexterity sufficient to allow for operation of a computer keyboard, computer mouse, telephone, facsimile machine, calculator, etc.
• Ability to move, handle, or lift small objects around desk area, e.g. files, computer printouts, reports, calculator, pencils, legal pads, etc.
• Work is principally sedentary, at a desk, but may involve some physical exertion, such as kneeling, crouching, or lifting to obtain files, records, supplies and materials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in accounting, or related field required. 
• Four (4) years of experience in HUD accounting or eight (8) years of related work experience.  
• CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which in the sole determination of the Houston Housing Authority, constitutes the required knowledge and abilities.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.