Budget and Fiscal Strategy Analyst

1St Choice Jobs - Upper Marlboro, MD

Full-time

Upper Marlboro, MD

About the position

Our client in Upper Marlboro seeks a dedicated and detail-oriented Budget Analyst to independently review the superintendent's proposed budget and provide comprehensive fiscal analysis. This role is critical in ensuring fiscal accountability, transparency, and informed decision-making for the Board, as well as contributing to the short and long-term financial health of the district. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of financial analysis and public education. The Budget Analyst will conduct a thorough and independent review of the superintendent's proposed FY budget, evaluating its alignment with the district's educational priorities and fiscal responsibility. This includes providing detailed and objective fiscal analysis and recommendations to Board members, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for potential improvement. The role also emphasizes fiscal accountability by delivering impartial assessments of budget proposals and ensuring that the budget adheres to financial best practices while aligning with the district's strategic goals. Transparency is a key aspect of this position, as the Budget Analyst will enhance transparency by presenting the budget analysis in a clear and accessible manner to the board. This involves preparing reports and summaries that articulate how taxpayer dollars are allocated and providing recommendations based on the potential impact on educational outcomes. The analyst will equip Board members with reliable and comprehensive information to support informed decision-making regarding the budget, enabling them to ask informed questions, propose amendments, and make decisions that align with the community's educational needs. Additionally, the Budget Analyst will perform fiscal analysis to track financial trends and patterns over time, identifying potential future financial challenges and opportunities, and providing strategic recommendations to ensure the district's financial sustainability. Maintaining impartiality and integrity is crucial, as the analyst must uphold the highest standards of professionalism in all aspects of the budget analysis process, ensuring that all analyses and recommendations are based on objective data and sound financial principles.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a thorough and independent review of the superintendent's proposed FY budget, evaluating its alignment with the district's educational priorities and fiscal responsibility.
• Provide detailed and objective fiscal analysis and recommendations to Board members, including identification of strengths, weaknesses, and areas for potential improvement.
• Ensure fiscal accountability by delivering impartial assessments of budget proposals.
• Verify that the budget adheres to financial best practices and aligns with the district's short and long-term strategic goals.
• Enhance transparency by presenting the budget analysis in a clear and accessible manner to the board.
• Prepare reports and summaries that articulate how taxpayer dollars are allocated and an understanding of recommendations based on the potential impact on educational outcomes.
• Equip Board members with reliable and comprehensive information to support informed decision-making regarding the budget.
• Provide insights and data that enable Board members to ask informed questions, propose amendments, and make decisions that align with the community's educational needs.
• Perform fiscal analysis to track financial trends and patterns over time.
• Identify potential future financial challenges and opportunities, and provide strategic recommendations to ensure the district's financial sustainability.
• Maintain an independent stance free from undue influence or bias, ensuring that all analyses and recommendations are based on objective data and sound financial principles.
• Uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in all aspects of the budget analysis process.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or relevant industry experience in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field. Advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CPA) preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in budget analysis, financial planning, or a related field, with a focus on public education or governmental budgeting preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the County's educational system and community dynamics.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to perform detailed financial analysis and develop clear, actionable recommendations.
• Proficiency in financial software and tools, including spreadsheet applications and financial modeling.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• High level of integrity and commitment to impartiality.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Passion for enhancing educational outcomes through effective financial management and analysis.