Financial Analyst II

Job Description:
Performs (mid-level) financial support services and technical assistance work for the Finance and Contacts Group Manager under the Operations Unit of the HIV/STD Section (HSS) within the Infectious Disease Prevention (IDP) Division of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Works under the limited supervision and direction of the Finance and Contacts Group Manager with latitude for exercising initiative and independent judgment. Performs financial monitoring of technical and program-related projects and procurements that support expenditure forecast, budget, and operational impact. Work involves investigation and review of HIV STD Section budget and accounting records, financial approvals, and monitoring federal and state funds to ensure compliance with federal and state laws as well as DSHS policies and regulations. Prepares financial and expenditure progress reports. Assists with planning and coordination related to program areas procurements and budgets. Interprets agency policies; creates and documents processes and procedures; and recommends, implements, and evaluates process improvements related to procurement and budget. Analyzes and interprets budget data and creates reports for management. Creates, assigns, and responds to section and program budget assignments, and federal budgets and ensures their timely and accurate submission. Work involves providing recommendations and technical assistance to staff in all matters relating to financial compliance and best practices. Informs Section Finance Manager of financial risks or changes. Coordinates with section accounts payable (A/P) and grant support staff including service as backup. Builds cooperative relationships that support good internal and external customer services.
Essential Job Functions:
(30%) Assists with budgeting, reconciling, and tracking funding and expenditures on State appropriated funds, including budgets and multiple federal funds, and reporting on available funds for projects and procurement. Prepare and review financial reports, for all budget assignments, including budget load, task profiles, and other budget and miscellaneous assignments related to operations. Files and retains source documentation and records necessary tracking logs. Reviews budgets and grants for financial completeness. Develops budget expenditure reports to monitor, track, forecast, and analyze expenditures for internal management. Provide financial recommendations to the finance manager on financial resources to meet the program's objectives and utilize funds most efficiently. Assists in the development of plans, policies, and procedures for the allocation of funds and best practices for accounting for all types of funds. Tracks trends and spending utilization in support of HIV STD Section programs and agency goals and priorities. Develops and maintains productive relationships with the Finance Group, Section Leadership, Section Program Managers, and Unit staff to resolve issues.
(25%) Provides financial and technical assistance in the review of federal grant applications, including preparing the Finance Group budget detail roster, and reviewing and assisting with the Federal budget template. Assists and works closely with program leadership and Finance Manager on grant application budget reviews. Assist with approving or tracking requisitions for purchases and tracking federal expenditures by funding source. Responsible for the communication of budget details to the HIV STD Finance Group Manager and finance staff. Escalates and coordinates the resolution of financial risks as necessary with the HIV STD Finance Group Manager. Works with finance A/P and unit staff from across the HIV STD Section who have budget and resource-related duties to ensure coordination of spending resources. Responds to the Section Finance Manager on agency and section assignments. Timely prepares spreadsheets, reports, and documents as needed for program managers and key staff or in response to assignments.
(25%) Assists Financial Analyst III on budget, and procurement issues to other parts of the agency, including the Division Finance Section, the HIV STD Section Leadership, Contract Management Section (CMS), the Division Accounts Payable Section, the Budget Office Coordination and Management
Section, Information Technology Section, and the HHSC Procurement and Contracting Services (PCS). Responsibilities include sharing of the necessary information, resolving issues, coordinating to achieve accurate budget loads and movement of funds as needed, and responsible for communicating with the HIV STD Section Finance Group Manager. Maintains source documents and tracking logs, the budget roster by coding relevant financial information from budgets and financial activities. May assist in training operation staff on processes and procedures. Produces reports from CAPPS financials as needed. Builds cooperative relationships that support good customer service.
(15%) Assists the Finance team with procurement, requisition, and purchase order activities for the HIV STD Section. Reviews and approves requisitions as directed in CAPPS Financial as requested. Assists FA III, A/P, and Finance Manager on guidance and technical assistance to admin staff on procurement issues, and CAPPS Financial, and ensures the use of an efficient system to document and track financial activity within the HIV STD Section. Maintains backup information on all financial reports and transactions. Interprets agency, federal, and state policies related to procurement. Monitor fund availability to ensure that funding is properly budgeted or recommend transfers as needed for successful procurement and contracting. Tracks recurring purchases and timelines to initiate renewals on time. Assists in the creation and implementation of policies and procedures.
(5%) Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of financial analyses and examination procedures for regulated entities, of financial and industry terminology and practices, and of financial analysis. Knowledge of Budgeting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), purchasing and contracting processes.
Knowledge of the Texas Legislative Appropriations, state budget cycle, and requirements.
Skill in managing multiple sets of data and projects at one time.
Skill in Microsoft Office products, superior skills in Excel and/or other database programs.
Skill in responding to customer inquiries and tactfully handling difficult customers.
Skill in organizing and prioritizing workload and meeting deadlines for simultaneous tasks.
Ability to take direction and relay constructive criticism in a team environment.
Ability to gather and analyze data and facts, and to devise solutions to problems.
Ability to communicate processes and procedures clearly and effectively to others.
Ability to use independent judgment and to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments to meet deadlines.
Ability to handle and safeguard sensitive and confidential information. Ability to administer financial processes and systems.
Ability to perform and interpret numerical analyses.
Ability to analyze, evaluate, and summarize financial and management records for accuracy and conformance to procedures, rules, and regulations.
Ability to prepare reports and correspondence regarding findings.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to work independently and to exercise judgment in making administrative and technical decisions.
Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
Ability to work overtime as necessary.
Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
None
Initial Selection Criteria:
• Graduation from an accredited four-year College or university preferred, with major coursework in a field relevant to the assignment.
• At least 3 years of relevant finance or budget experience defined in the job requirements may be substituted for the education.
• Advanced PC skills including software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Access, or other database tools or data information and PowerPoint. Advanced level in Excel. Preferred experience with Power BI.
Additional Information:
There will be an in-basket exercise at the time of the interview. Interview will be in office.
Position will work in office.
MOS Code:
MOS code 89A, LS, 020, 3402, 6F0X1
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I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
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