Capital Projects Analyst

This position performs accounting, budgetary and financial analysis for the County's ongoing, multi-year capital projects and serves as a Finance liaison to the Project Management Office (PMO), County departments and other stakeholders. The position monitors projects throughout their financial lifecycle, assists with budget development from January through June and the annual audit from June through December, and promotes accurate reporting, sound internal controls and compliance with County policies and applicable accounting standards.
 
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

• Serves as a Finance liaison for capital-project matters and coordinates with the PMO, project managers, County departments, Procurement, Grants and Finance staff.
• Establishes and maintains the financial structure for multi-year capital projects, including project accounts, budgets, funding sources and other required system records.
• Monitors project revenues, expenditures, encumbrances, commitments, available balances and cash flow across fiscal years and funding sources.
• Reviews invoices, purchase orders, change orders, contracts and other project transactions for proper coding, authorization, budget availability, funding eligibility and supporting documentation.
• Reconciles project records to the general ledger and prepares journal entries, accruals, reclassifications and corrections in accordance with applicable accounting standards and County policies.
• Prepares recurring project reports, cash-flow forecasts and financial analyses; evaluates variances, projected costs, funding risks and other matters requiring management attention.
• Assists with annual operating and capital budget development from January through June, including project requests, the Capital Improvement Plan, funding plans, amendments and carryforward analysis.
• Assists with the annual audit from June through December by preparing schedules and workpapers, responding to requests and reconciling construction in progress, capital assets and related funding.
• Coordinates project financial closeout, including final reconciliations, capitalization support, resolution of remaining commitments and disposition of residual project funds in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Maintains complete, audit-ready project records and supports the development and improvement of project-accounting procedures, internal controls and standardized reporting practices.
• Participates in project and budget meetings; communicates financial information to financial and non-financial staff; and prepares special analyses, presentations or training as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a closely related field;
• Five (5) years of related accounting, finance or budget experience; capital project, fund accounting or public-sector experience is preferred;
• or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements: 

• Maintains strict confidentiality in performing assigned duties and protects sensitive financial, contractual and project information;
• County testing may be administered during the interview;
• A criminal background check will be completed on the selected applicant if a current one (less than 3 years old) is not on file.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of governmental accounting, fund accounting, capital assets, internal controls and applicable accounting standards.
• Knowledge of multi-year capital project accounting, capital budgeting, restricted funding and the Capital Improvement Plan process.
• Knowledge of project financial controls, construction in progress, capitalization, project closeout and audit documentation requirements.
• Skill in ERP, general ledger and project-management systems and advanced Microsoft Excel and Word applications.
• Skill in reconciliations, journal entries, audit workpapers, budget analysis, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Ability to interpret budgets, contracts, funding agreements, grant and bond requirements, policies and accounting standards.
• Ability to analyze project costs, commitments, cash flow, variances and projected financial results and identify matters requiring corrective action.
• Ability to organize concurrent projects, identify financial risks, solve problems and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly, exercise sound judgment and maintain effective working relationships with financial and non-financial staff.

This position requires the employee to sit and use hands to handle, finger or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; use repetitive motion; and talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.The work is regularly performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities and needs. Normal operating hours are Monday through Friday 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m with the ability to work flexible hours when necessary. Must be able to attend evening County Council meetings and various social functions as requested. Scheduled hours/days, job location, duties and any other information contained herein is subject to change. May be required to work extra hours and to perform extra or different duties during emergency situations.