Senior Analyst, Budget & Treasury

About the position

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), located in downtown Chicago, is currently accepting applications to fill the Senior Analyst, Budget & Treasury position. The RTA oversees financing, secures funding, and conducts transit planning for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace. The RTA manages these three Service Boards' five-year capital programs. Also, to help riders with disabilities and older adults across Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, the agency issues Reduced Fare and Ride Free permits, assesses eligibility for ADA Paratransit service, and oversees specialized travel training. The RTA offers a competitive benefits package, including flexible work arrangements and a hybrid work environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitors, analyzes, and reports on the Agency investment and liability portfolios, Agency liquidity, and RTA funding.
• Invests RTA funds and assists in debt issuance activities.
• Utilizes the agency's ERP and Treasury Management System for reporting, funding, debt service, budgeting, purchase requisitions, and ad hoc analysis.
• Reviews annual budgets, two-year financial plans and long-range business plans to ensure region-wide public transit service operations are financially stable and consistent with department goals, RTA strategic plans, and provisions of the RTA Act.
• Assists in managing the RTA Agency budget, working with department heads and division managers on budget development and monitoring.
• Calculates twice-monthly debt service payments and reviews results with RTA bond trustee.
• Processes payment in Infor CloudSuite Financials software.
• Prepares reports on RTA debt portfolio using SymPro Debt Management software.
• Determines actual monthly and annual Service Board funding receivables and payables using Infor CloudSuite Financials software.
• Assists in distributing results within the Agency and to the Service Boards (CTA, Metra, and Pace).
• Processes funding receivables, payables, and payments in Infor CloudSuite Financials software.
• Invests RTA funds and funds held by the bond Trustee in irrevocable trust accounts following RTA policies and the Illinois Public Funds Investment Act.
• Prepares quarterly report of investment portfolio performance using SymPro Investment software.
• Assists Treasury Manager with forecasting, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on the RTA's liquidity position using SymPro Cash Management software.
• Monitors RTA account balances and executes reports and queries on bank portals.
• Initiates or approves transfers of funds between RTA accounts and electronic payments.
• Assists in short/long-term debt issuance activities, including the preparation of official statements, offering memoranda, rating agency presentations, and other documents.
• Continuously evaluates and improves financial processes and systems.
• Recommends implementation of best practices and technologies to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Continuously creates or updates Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to maintain optimal documentation within Treasury.
• Reviews and analyzes the budgets of the RTA Agency, the Service Boards, and the RTA region.
• Coordinates with Service Boards on annual budget development process.
• Prepares analyses for RTA management, the RTA Board, and the public that examine key budget issues and compliance with budget criteria as outlined in the RTA Act.
• Conducts on-going analysis and monitoring of financial performance of the RTA, the Service Boards, and the region.
• Prepares monthly and quarterly financial and statistical analyses and public reports of trends and variances.
• Ensures primary factors affecting financial performance are studied and clearly communicated to RTA management.
• Prepares Board memos, ordinances, and schedules for funding and budget actions to be considered for adoption by the RTA Board.
• Presents financial results and budget items at RTA Board meetings as required.
• Develops and maintains spreadsheet-based models of RTA regional financial capacity including a ten-year financial plan as directed by the RTA Act.
• Uses model to forecast long range regional funding needs and analyze the impacts of policy alternatives.
• Assists in preparation of the annual RTA Agency operating budget working with staff and management to determine specific line-item expense and revenue estimates.
• Works with Agency financial systems to support development of the RTA Agency budget and to report on variances of actual results from budget.
• Initiates studies and helps implement processes that maintain or improve the annual budget process and the RTA's strong financial position within the transit industry and investment community.
• Conducts reviews of RTA policies and procedures compared to industry standards and best practices.
• Acts in a manner that is consistent with the RTA's strategic goals and objectives, as approved by the RTA Board, while providing service of the highest level to our internal and external customers.
• Performs other duties as required that contributes to the effectiveness of the department and the RTA.

Requirements

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in public or private business with an emphasis on finance, economics, or statistical analysis methods or a combination of work experience, including internship(s) and advanced degree.
• Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as Infor and/or a Treasury Management System such as SymPro is desirable.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, and an understanding of public policy analysis and finance principles required.
• Extensive spreadsheet, presentation, and Microsoft Office Suite software experience required.
• Ability to work independently, plan and organize tasks, solve problems and complete projects in collaboration with various RTA, Service Board, and contract personnel required.
• Ability to maintain confidential information required.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package
• Flexible work arrangements
• Hybrid work environment