General Description of Class
The BUDGET ANALYST prepares the agency's biennial budget, participates in securing legislative approval of the budget, and insures proper management of the budget, working closely with administrative and management staff and with accounting and fiscal technical staff. The budget analyst performs a number of highly technical functions including budget development, budget execution, advanced fiscal analysis, revenue and expenditure projections, and budget status analysis on an agency-wide or individual program level.
Distinguishing Features
This is a single classification and not currently part of a series of classes.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Budget Development. Typical tasks: consults with senior management on agency goals, long-range and short range program and financial objectives; develops information on funding projections, expenditure forecasts, staffing levels and program modifications; translates decisions and data into required budget format; works with representatives of other agencies to resolve budget issues; utilizes computer-based systems to develop position levels and costs; assists senior agency management in preparing and presenting information to Executive Department director, the Governor's office, and the legislature.
2. Budget Execution. Typical tasks: develops revenue forecasts using a variety of sources including program managers, Federal and State fund sources, and historical data; incorporates forecasts into budget; monitors expenditures against revenues; monitors program and financial performance against plans; computes and carries out budget reallocation based on expenditure patterns and forecasts; advises senior management on budget adjustments and potential over-expenditures; prepares monthly allotment plan and monthly financial analysis; prepares Emergency Board requests after consultation with senior management; counsels program managers on budget issues and budget status.
3. Budget Analysis. Typical Tasks: carries out special studies of budget status and agency fiscal position; analyzes and interprets Federal and State law and regulations relating to fiscal and budget issues; performs specific program budget analysis upon request; evaluates budget performance by individual program managers; provides information for accounting and statistical reports at Federal and State levels.
Relationships with Others
Employees in this class have frequent in person and telephone contact with senior administrators and managers, field staff, program managers, accounting technicians, unit supervisors, and departmental analysts to secure budget information and to provide budget status data. Often, a lead role must be taken in informing management of the anticipated consequences of budget related decisions. Frequently, budget analysts must work very closely with senior administrative or management staff to resolve highly technical and confidential budget issues under the strictest confidence. They appear in person before analysts, auditors, and legislative committees to explain agency budget structure, content, and status.
Supervision Received
Employees in this class receive general supervision form an administrative superior who reviews work periodically during informal discussions and staff meetings. Work assignments are usually presented verbally, and occasionally in written form. Assignments may come directly from agency administrative or managerial staff or from sources outside the agency, such as Executive Department budget analysts. Assignments usually involve a problem or issue to be analyzed or a particular report to be developed. Employees in this class must utilize Administrative Rules and Procedures, Federal and State laws and regulations, State and Federal accounting guidelines and instructions, and State and Federal budget preparation instructions.
General Information
Positions are found in central and remote locations throughout State government (e.g., general government agencies, human or natural resource agencies, correctional, mental health, or higher education institutions, hospitals, etc.). They require the willingness to work within the environment associated with the position's location. They require the willingness to work extended hours during budget preparation periods or when special analyses projects require completion within limited time frames.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or Accounting and two years experience related to budget development, analysis, and execution (such as analyzing financial information, forecasting program needs, monitoring expenditures, adjusting allotments); OR
Five years of experience related to budget development, analysis, and execution (such as analyzing financial information, forecasting program needs, monitoring expenditures, adjusting allotments).