Associate, Budget and Grants Financial Analyst

THIS JOB POSTING WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL A QUALIFIED POOL OF APPLICANTS IS ESTABLISHED AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY. 

A RESUME IS REQUIRED WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

Be ready to rethink your assumptions about the public sector. Dedicated and motivated colleagues? Beautiful, high amenity building for on-site work and collaboration? Flexible schedules and hybrid work options? Yes, yes, and yes!
ABOUT THE SECTION
The Budgets and Financial Planning & Analysis Section is responsible for developing and managing the organization's budgets, performing financial analysis and forecasting, supporting policy development, developing financial plans, and ensuring effective financial and grants management for MTC, ABAG, and affiliated entities.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Under the general direction of the Budget and Grants Manager, the Associate, Budget and Grants Financial Analyst is responsible for preparation and monitoring of the operating and capital budgets; performing complex financial analysis; supporting development of financial and grants-related policies and procedures; and providing comprehensive grant administration support—from application through closeout. Working closely with agency Sections and program staff, this position performs a variety of analytical and administrative work supporting effective financial, budgetary, and grants management.

Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:    

• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets; ensure accuracy, alignment with agency priorities, and timely updates
• Monitor and report expenditures; conduct variance analysis; partner with project/section managers to resolve issues and recommend corrective actions.
• Perform monthly/quarterly/year-end financial analyses and support close (reconciliations, and management reporting).
• Conduct variance and scenario analysis, identify key performance drivers, and provide explanations for budget deviations.
• Provide analytical support for policy decisions, board items, and financial strategy development.
• Provide pre-award to project closeout grant administration support, including grant application development, grant budget preparation, compliance monitoring, reporting, reimbursable cost tracking, financial management, and project closeout.
• Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and relevant federal/state/local requirements; support audit readiness and responses.
• Support development, implementation, and continuous improvement of policies and procedures related to budgeting, financial management, grants management, and internal controls.
• Maintain accurate up-to-date tracking of contracts, purchase orders, and grant budget availability; identify variances and funding gaps and recommend solutions.
• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with project managers, other departments, and external stakeholders.
• Prepare and present clear analysis and recommendations for leadership, committees, and the Commission/Board(s).
• Perform other job-related duties as needed or assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

 Knowledge of:

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB);
• Advanced knowledge of principles and best practices of governmental fund accounting, budgeting, contract administration, and grant management;
• Federal and state grant rules and regulations and reporting requirements including OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) (allowable costs, subrecipient monitoring, procurement standards, and audit requirements);
• Cost allocation and indirect cost rates (e.g., development, application, and monitoring of indirect cost recovery).
• Data analysis & reporting tools (advanced Excel, Power Query/Power Pivot; Power BI or similar);
• Function, capability, application and operation of computer-based financial accounting systems;
• Organizational policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including procurement and contracting rules for public agencies;
• Experience supporting and coordinating ERP and budget system implementations, including data cleanup and migration, cross-functional stakeholder coordination, system testing, issue resolution, and deployment activities.

Skills and Abilities 

• Plan, organize and prioritize multiple work activities against deadlines;
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex contract and grant documents;
• Ability to perform both complex and routine accounting and financial analysis work with speed and accuracy;
• Ability to use resources to identify problems, solve, act decisively, and show good judgment in decision making;
• Strong financial analysis capabilities, including the ability to both support and lead scenario analysis to inform decision-making, evaluate alternatives, and provide clear, data-driven insights;
• Demonstrated customer service acumen when working with interdepartmental points of contact, ensuring clear communication, effective issue resolution, and collaborative partnership across teams
• Maintain complete, auditable records consistent with retention and compliance requirements; 
• Ability to write reports, board memoranda, and communicate clearly and concisely;
• Solid public presentation skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities listed. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education and Experience: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, business or public administration, or a related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional accounting or financial analysis experience.  A Master's degree is highly desirable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 

• Five (5) years of increasingly complex and responsible work experience in governmental budgeting, fund accounting, grants/financial analysis or similar field, including the equivalent of two (2) years as an Assistant Financial Analyst at MTC

• Experience working with boards/commissions materials and public-sector decision processes
• Experience with federal and state grant management
• Experience with ERP/budget system implementations (data cleanup/migration, user acceptance testing, training)