Senior Financial Analyst

Under the general direction of the Finance Director, performs a variety of complex professional accounting work involved in preparing, maintaining, analyzing, verifying, and reconciling financial transactions, statements, records, reports and annual audit; assists in the preparation of assigned budgets, annual audit, and month/year-end closing; and provides highly responsible staff assistance to assigned management staff. The work performed by this class requires incumbents to apply professional knowledge and expertise as well as established guidelines and alternatives to determine facts, analyze problems, and make decisions; work independently with limited supervision; incumbents may respond to sensitive and complicated inquiries or problems related to departmental programs or policies.

Lake Stevens is generally a residential community with access to numerous commercial, retail and recreational opportunities. Of course, the crown jewel of the community is the lake itself, which boasts some of the greatest water recreational opportunities in the county. Lake Stevens is also uniquely situated, being close to the lake, ocean, and Cascade mountains, to take advantage of many outdoor activities. The Lake Stevens Schools are excellent and coupled with a city priority of parks and increased walkability, makes Lake Stevens an ideal place to raise a family.

The City of Lake Stevens operates under the mayor-council system. The city’s motto, “One Community Around the Lake”, embodies our quality of life, top-ranked school district, and the City Council’s commitment to providing excellent services and amenities for its residents.

Why City of Lake Stevens?

• Work-Life Balance - We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual's lifestyle. 
• Flexible Work Schedules- The City offers a variety of work schedules, including potential hybrid or remote options, depending on business needs and supervisor approval. Employees should expect to work on-site for the first 90 days, or until they are sufficiently trained to perform their duties independently.
• Work Where you Live!

The City of Lake Stevens offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Retirement- through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.
• Deferred Compensation- with city match.
• Excellent healthcare options- including medical, dental, vision insurance, city-paid life insurance and long-term disability, health savings accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA/VEBA).
• Paid leave- including paid sick leave, paid vacation, flexible holidays, paid holidays, and bereavement leave.
• Tuition reimbursement!
• See our benefits page for a complete list of all the benefits available to the City of Lake Stevens employees.

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following

• Participate in the strategic planning, decision making, goal setting, and problem solving of the Finance Department; recommend changes to internal control policy/procedures to ensure proper accounting, financial reporting, compliance with local and state laws.
• Assure financial system integrity through monitoring and analysis of a full range of accounting activities; assist in the oversight of the general ledger accounting functions; review and/or prepare adjusting journal entries and cash receipts; analyzes accounts and perform account reconciliations.
• Maintain and monitor city accounting records in accordance with the WA State Auditor’s Office proscribed Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS).
• Participate in the year-end audit under supervision of the Audit Liaison; compile and prepare supporting schedules, workpapers, and financial reports as requested by the auditors.
• Leads various special projects; research, compiles, and reports data for special projects including those assigned by the Department Director.
• Lead the city investment program to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations governing municipal investments; assist with the development and implementation of responsible investment strategies and benchmarks; maintain proper documentation of all investment activities; submit monthly and quarterly reports to the Finance Director, Department Directors, and Elected Officials as required. 
• Assist with debt issuance, management, and oversee debt commitments.
• Monitor various types of revenues including, but not limited to, rental income, gambling taxes, utility taxes, etc. to ensure the City receives payments timely.
• Monitor financial internal controls and policies for the department. Position may assist with the development of the functional area internal controls and policies.
• Serve as department liaison for the commercial lease program, including but not limited to,  capital and operating cost monitoring and assisting with the calculation and reconciliation of NNN. 
• Review invoices that have been entered into the general ledger for accuracy, proper coding, and proper authorization.
• Review cash receipts batches and approve deposits into the City’s bank accounts.
• Conduct asset inventory audits according to City policies; coordinate with departments for completion.
• Perform monthly budget analysis, general ledger account review, investments, and bank reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports. 
• Participate in the preparation of the City’s annual budget to include revenue and expenditure analysis; short-term and long-range financial forecasting; assisting departments with their budgets; analyzing department submittals for reasonableness; managing the preparation of budget documents; coordinating with directors and Council on finalizing the budget.
• May lead or direct the work of other employees that could include assigning tasks, reviewing employees’ work processes and products, and conducting training.  As a senior level position, may also contribute employee performance feedback to the Director/Manager and participate in the hiring process under the direction of the Director/Manager.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; provide confidential support to the organization; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of financial services, public administration, and related fields; recommend incorporation of new developments as appropriate.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

• Assist with the maintenance of electronic/paper files in accordance with the Local Government Common Records Retention Schedules, and department specific records management procedures; respond/assist with job related public records requests.
• Provide back up for administering and/or reviewing payroll, accountant payables, and accounts receivables.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described below and in the attached questionnaire 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 essential functions.

 While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk; and hear. The incumbent frequently is required to sit for extended periods of time and type on a keyboard for extended periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

 Work is mostly performed in a typical office environment subject to working outside of normal working hours to meet critical timelines or to provide support in department emergency response events.  While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is subject to multiple interruptions by telephones and walk-ins by employees and citizens; may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

 Typical business office machinery and equipment include, but not limited to, personal computer including database program, spreadsheet and word processing software, printer, telephone, scanning equipment, copy machine, and calculator.Education, Training and Experience Guidelines
EDUCATION:  Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field; and 
EXPERIENCE:  Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in accounting or business environment, preferably in the public sector; advanced skills in word processing, spreadsheet and database management software required; debt and investment management experience preferred.
OR:  Any combination of education and experience, which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job, may be substituted for these qualifications.  Examples include:
Knowledge of:

• Governmental accounting and auditing practices, procedures and principles with a strong understanding of Cash Basis governmental accounting.
• Principles and practices of the Washington State Auditor’s Office proscribed Budget Accounting Reporting System (BARS).
• Procurement guidelines for Washington State.
• Internal controls, debt management, investing, and municipal budget preparation.
• Proficient computer operation skills and experience with a variety of software programs. 
• Lean Management System or Six Sigma principles.
• Municipal government policies, procedures, and structure; and applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Payroll/accounting/timekeeping systems.
• Debt and investment management 

Skilled in:

• Effective, professional and positive interactions with difficult individuals.
• Being organized, detail orientated and efficient with daily work.
• Reviewing interrelated financial and technical records; assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands; meeting critical time deadlines.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships; communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Solving mathematical equations. 
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ethical considerations, data privacy, and responsible use of AI in government and public sector environments. 

Ability to:

• Be a good role model, exhibit leadership and good decision-making. 
• Analyze, post, balance and reconcile financial data, transactions, ledgers and accounts.
• Perform mathematical calculations and complex data processing tasks rapidly and accurately.
• Analyze and interpret information in a concise manner and make recommendations on strategies to resolve issues and ensure compliance with laws, regulations and policies.
• Evaluate, develop and implement fiscal and accounting systems and identify need for new or revised methods.
• Use complex financial, accounting and/or budgeting formulas, procedures, and principles.
• Apply and interpret statistics.
• Work independently with little direction and remain a contributing member of a service-oriented team. 
• Plan and organize work to manage multiple projects and meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Apply lean or six sigma principles to continuously improve processes, procedures and implement change management.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and concise technical, administrative and financial reports.
• Communicate detailed information clearly and concisely.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships using tact, patience and courtesy with co-workers, elected officials, other agency staff, vendors, and the general public.
• Establish and maintain various data collection, recordkeeping, tracking, filing, and reporting systems.
• Adapt to evolving technologies, including AI, and integrate them into routine work practices. 
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including the ability to listen effectively and to explain complex issues and applicable legal requirements, policies, and procedures to internal and external customers.
• Provide technical expertise and assistance to city management.
• Exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality of critical and sensitive information, records, and reports.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATION or OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid driver’s license and a driving record which meets the city’s requirements. Must be able to obtain State of Washington driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
• Completion of position-relevant background check, including a credit check.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: 

• An attached resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached cover letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

The City of Lake Stevens is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran’s status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.

There are no limitations to who's a best fit to serve this community. If we contact you for an interview and you need specific accommodations, please let us know.  We're happy to make the arrangements. We’ll need to know ten (10) days in advance to make sure we get you situated, so call Human Resources at (425) 622-9400 or email [email protected].   You're also welcome to mail your request to City of Lake Stevens Human Resources, P.O. Box 257, Lake Stevens, WA 98258.