City of Somerville Looking for Finance Analyst at Somerville, MA Full Time

Statement of Duties

The Finance Analyst will perform a legislative oversight and a post-audit function and is not involved in the administration of the financial operations of the City. The Finance Analyst will have access to all data having a financial impact on the City and will continuously review and examine the same and make periodic reports thereon to the City Council, with such frequency as the City Council by ordinance, rule or by other vote may direct, but not less frequently than quarterly.

Essential Functions

• Examines all data having a financial impact on the City and files quarterly reports to the City Council.
• Conducts project-based research and prepares related reports, as requested by the City Council President or City Clerk.
• Upon request of the President or Finance Committee Chair, reviews financial requests made to the City Council by the Mayor and makes reports to the City Council as needed, to include recommendations as to the actions to be taken by the City Council.
• When the proposed annual operating budget is submitted to the City Council by the Mayor, reviews said budget and makes a report, including recommendations of specific actions to be taken by the City Council.
• When the proposed capital investment plan is submitted to the City Council by the Mayor, reviews said plan and makes a report, including recommendations of specific actions to be taken by the City Council.
• When the annual audit is submitted by the certified public accountant(s), reviews said audit and makes a report, including recommendations of specific actions to be taken by the City Council.
• Attends City Council and City Council Committee meetings as requested.
• As needed, serves as liaison between the City Council and the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Director of Finance to accomplish the essential functions of the Finance Committee and City Council.
• Performs a variety of related duties as requested.
• Has the authority to call upon any City department to submit information pertaining to the financial conduct of the department.
• Pending changes to the City Charter, should be prepared to oversee the procurement of a certified public accountant or firm of certified public accountants to conduct the annual audit.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, grants management or related field and a minimum of five (5+) years of experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Special Requirements: This employee is prohibited from taking public positions on issues that are or may reasonably come before the City Council.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Advanced knowledge of budgetary principles including the ability to prepare, interpret and analyze financial statements and analysis. Knowledge of state procurement laws and municipal operations. Knowledge of data analysis practices and techniques. Strong knowledge in public policy.

Abilities: Establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with diverse stakeholders regarding strategy, policy, and operations; work independently; manage multiple tasks efficiently, prioritize, and balance short- and long-term responsibilities; carry out assignments to completion in an efficient and accurate manner; communicate and collaborate with executive-level individuals; interact with the public effectively and appropriately; problem solve and think strategically, analytically, and creatively; communicate clearly and often both verbally and in writing; learn new concepts quickly; collaborate, build consensus, and lead; be self-motivated and organized; handle problems and emergencies; maintain confidential information; operate a computer; and maintain, manage, and organize records.

Skills: Proficient in operating personal computers and applicable word processing, spreadsheet, and statistical analysis applications, specifically MS Excel or other data analysis and visualization tools, such as Office365 apps, Tableau, Python, R, etc.; excellent written and oral communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills; excellent data analysis, database development and management, strategic thinking, problem solving, leadership and project management skills. Experience with Munis software.

Other: Working knowledge of City Charter, Ordinances, Rules of the City Council, and relevant state laws.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee will be required to attend evening meetings.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills: Little or no physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as ledgers or photocopy and computer paper (up to 30lbs.).

Motor Skills: Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, and sorting of materials.

Visual Demands: Routinely reads documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Hours: Part-Time. Variable, evening hours may be required
Salary: $55 an hour. Not benefits eligible
Union: Non-Union
FLSA: Exempt
Date Posted: October 3rd, 2023