Financial Analyst I - City of Newton

Job Description

Primary purpose:

• Under the direction of the Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis, the Financial Analyst I will be responsible for (1) the administrative functions in the Financial Services Department, with (2) additional exposure in the analysis of City of Newton’s financial information. Primary duties will be in the areas of payroll and vendor check processing, accounts payable, and any other administrative tasks, as assigned, as well of maintenance and analysis of the City’s personnel forecasting, and health insurance financial data.
• The Financial Analyst I will also gain knowledge and basic understanding in municipal budgeting, including assisting the Department in putting together the yearly Operating Budget, Long-Range Financial Forecast, and Capital Improvement Plan.
• Performs all other related work as required and directed.

Supervision:

Supervision Received: 

The Financial Analyst reports to the Manager of Financial Planning. Incumbent should possess the ability to complete assignments on time with minimal supervision and adapt to changing work priorities to meet the dynamic needs of the City of Newton.  Incumbent completes work in accordance with established departmental and City policies, standards, and expectations. 

Essential Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

Administrative Duties

• Responsible for entering the weekly departmental Payroll data into the City’s financial system
• Responsible for entering in departmental invoices, as well as processes the bi-weekly vendor warrants, printing AP checks, and communicating any issues to the appropriate stakeholders
• Ensure variances are thoroughly investigated, opportunities and risks are identified and communicated to finance team members.

Financial Analysis and Reconciliation

• Work with the FP&A team to maintain and provide necessary analysis of the City of Newton’s personnel and payroll information.
• Work with the FP&A team to and provide necessary financial analysis of the City of Newton’s health insurance and OPEB data.
• Work with the FP&A team on financial analysis and modeling, business data analysis, and all other financial aspects to support the City of Newton financial programs.

Other

Attends and participates in Department and other meetings internally and externally as well as various special events. Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situations dictate. 

Qualifications:

(To perform successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. We encourage all candidates who feel they are capable of successfully performing the responsibilities as outlined in this position description, regardless of the qualifications listed below to apply.)

Education, Training and Experience: 

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Statistics, or a related field required. Minimum one (1) year overall work experience with demonstrated experience in financial planning and analysis, including internships. Experience with financial planning and analysis with a public company or municipality a plus.  A strong commitment to public service is required. 

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:   

• Data, analytical, and financial modeling experience.

• Demonstrated excel skills required.

• Detail-oriented with a focus on data accuracy and integrity.

• Strong analytic and communication skills, both written and verbal.

Work Environment

• Work is performed under typical office conditions; the noise level is quiet to moderate at most times. Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions. 
• Operates computers, printers, facsimile machine, copier, calculator, telephone and standard office equipment
• Has frequent contact with other City departments, current employees, and vendors/service providers. 
• Has access to all department-level confidential information, which requires the application of appropriate judgment, discretion and professional office protocols. 
• Errors in judgment or omissions could result in considerable confusion and delay, have a continuing adverse effect on the department’s ability to deliver services, be costly to correct and cause significant adverse public relations.

Physical skills and effort

(The physical demands described here represent those requirements 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.)

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5 - 10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Performance Standard

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

(This job 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, subject to collective bargaining obligations, where applicable.)

 [MM1]Will note this in conditional offer letter. Not needed in job description.

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus.  The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset.  To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits.  We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities.  We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings.  We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees.  And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

•   Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
•   Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
•   Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
•   Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
•   Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
•   Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays.
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Weekly Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees