FINANCIAL ANALYST
02806
(Competitive)
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The work involves responsibility for the oversight and management of the County’s Treasury function. An employee in this class is responsible for providing the Chief Fiscal Officer with multi year forecasting of debt and cash needs of the county and proposing recommendations based on those forecasts. The Financial Analyst recommends to the Chief Fiscal Officer optimum investment opportunities to maximize interest earnings of Onondaga County’s cash. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Fiscal Officer with wide latitude being given to perform duties and responsibilities associated with the work. Supervision is exercised over subordinate professional staff. When employed by the Department of Water Environment Protection, the Financial Analyst works under the general supervision of the Commissioner. The positon is responsible for the County’s Capital Improvement Plan. Exercises general supervision over project engineers and oversees construction staff. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
DEBT MANAGEMENT
Oversees the management of debt portfolio to ensure accurate accounting of current liabilities.
Analyzes the various debt instruments for project financing and recommends optimum method of financing.
Represents the CFO at the County Legislature to present debt strategies for financing proposed County projects.
Forecasts future debt service costs and reserves to maintain a stable and manageable debt load.
CASH MANAGEMENT
Forecasts cash position and recommend the best investment strategies for the most effective utilization of cash.
Oversees the cash disbursements and ensures all checks are reconciled.
Oversees the daily operations of cash management.
Reviews alternative means of improving cash flow and minimizing costs.
Ensures compliance with strict standards for the accounting and monitoring of all cash receipts and investments.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Recommends the optimum investment opportunities to maximize interest earnings of Onondaga County’s cash
Interprets data on price, yield, stability, future investment-risk trends, economic influences, and other factors affecting investment programs
Develops and updates County investment policy for adoption by the County Legislature, and ensure on-going compliance with that policy
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Analyzes financial information to forecast business, industry, or economic conditions.
Oversees the accounting and bookkeeping of the Finance Department.
Oversees other revenue sources such as: sales taxes from NYS, distributions of sales tax to other county municipalities, city property tax collections and journal entries, etc.
Monitors fundamental economic, industrial, and corporate developments by analyzing information from financial publications and services, investment banking firms, government agencies, trade publications, company sources, or personal interviews.
Reviews with the CFO credit rating agency recommendations on the County fiscal status and make proposals to the CFO for ways to improve the fiscal condition of Onondaga County to achieve a top credit rating.
Assists the CFO in preparing County disclosure statements for pending bond sales and making presentations to rating agencies on the fiscal integrity of Onondaga County.
Reviews relationships with banks and develops strategies to ensure high level of banking services at the lowest cost.
Monitors cash investment and debt management policies to ensure compliance with law and regulation.
When employed by the Department of Water Environment Protection:
CAPITAL PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
Coordinates all phases of capital planning process to include review of project proposals and evaluation of funding needs.
Develops debt service projections for current and proposed projects.
Coordinates implementation of annual cash capital program.
Reviews asset management program for inclusion in capital plan.
Assists with development of department program budgets.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Thorough knowledge of investing cash, debt management and performing cash flows.
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Good knowledge of appropriate law, rules, regulations related to municipal government bonding.
Good knowledge of banking institutions and their relationships with governmental agencies.
Good knowledge of the current bond market to insure the county’s best interest in investments.
Good knowledge of state statutes as they apply to investment vehicles allowable by county government.
Good knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.
Critical thinking skills.
Complex problem solving.
Deductive and inductive reasoning.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to gather and analyze data and draw conclusions.
Ability to prepare detailed reports and procedures.
Attention to detail.
Good judgment.
Integrity.
Date Revised: April 2021