TCOLE - Budget Analyst V

Budget Analyst, Strategic Business Operations - Finance Division

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Resumes are not accepted in lieu of State of Texas application

Our Mission

The mission of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, as a regulatory State agency, is to establish and enforce standards to ensure that the people of Texas are served by highly trained and ethical law enforcement, corrections, and telecommunications personnel.

 Who We're Looking For

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) is seeking a Budget Analyst V to join the Finance Division located at 6330 E HWY 290, Suite 200, Austin, TX.

The Budget Analyst V performs highly advanced (senior-level) budget preparation and analysis work. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Employees at this level may be considered technical experts and may often provide strategic direction and oversight into the most complex budget analysis work.  The incumbent will develop, analyze, and execute budgets, performance measures, and financial reports, and monitor fiscal activity and program performance. This position will proactively work with the Finance team; internal stakeholders, business units, leadership and executive team members; and stakeholders such as the Texas State Legislature.

Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience. The salary range is $85,000 - $105,000 salary group B26. The Job Class for this position is 1159.

General Description

Examples of Work Performed

Assists in or plans, coordinates, and helps prepare the agency’s administrative operating budget, Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR), fiscal notes, and other financial (and legislative) reports.

Plans, coordinates, and prepares the development of the annual operating budget.

Assists with coordinating and preparing the agency’s strategic plan and performance measures.

Assists in or maintains the budgetary system and financial reporting tools.

Reviews all procurement, fiscal and personnel transactions for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Prepares monthly and annual reconciliations on the agency budgetary and expenditure system, the Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) Uniform Statewide Accounting System (USAS), the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) Automated Budget and Evaluation System of Texas (ABEST) application, and the Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS).

Assists with or provides budget, expenditure, and position oversight, including developing monitoring tools and financial analysis reports.

Informs management of budget activities including deviations, concerns, and events likely to affect operations; explains causes; and measures and reports effects on agency’s resources. 

Conduct budget meetings to review organizational spending to ensure that it is within the budget.

Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual budgetary reports, including periodic and ad-hoc management reports regarding budgetary and fiscal activities for internal use and governing board reporting. 

Provide guidance and training to agency staff on budgetary and expenditure system processes.

Coordinates the reporting of USAS quarterly expenditure reconciliations in ABEST.

Assist in the annual clean-up and close-out of accounts at Fiscal Year-end.

Prepares a variety of technical financial reports to provide management with expenditure data, trends, and recommendations.

Participates in finance related agency committees and special projects as needed.

Prepares Fiscal Notes.

• Analysis & Reporting
• Analyze the distribution of budget and resource allocations across agency business operations and departments to ensure compliance with budgetary laws, regulations, and policies.

Analyze key drivers of budget variances and assist in developing, updating, and maintaining models and financial systems to budget, forecast, analyze, and report financial data.

Monitors and analyzes appropriation, encumbrance, and cash balances.

Analyzes Expenditure Patterns.

Makes recommendations on the use and distribution of funds, including allocation of indirect program costs and budget evaluation techniques.

Informs Finance Director of budget deviations, problems, and events likely to affect operations; explains causes; and measures and reports effects on agency’s resources.

Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual budgetary reports, including periodic and ad-hoc management reports regarding budgetary and fiscal activities for internal use and governing board reporting.

Assists with or coordinates and prepares a variety of technical reports on estimates, costing data, and budget limits; and compiles and analyzes data for the legislative process.

Support
Serves as part of the internal control process for budget and fiscal management.

Serves as the budget liaison with internal business units to field budgetary and fiscal related inquiries.

Assists or supports the Director of Finance in analyzing budget proposals and identifying alternatives if the projected results are unsatisfactory.

Supports the preparation of key presentations and financial reports to communicate the budgetary plan and progress to executive-level administration.

Prepares key presentations and financial reports to communicate the budgetary plan and progress to executive-level administration.

Presents financial analysis to inform management decisions.

Assists with special projects as needed.

Participates in finance related agency committees and special projects as needed. 

Other duties as assigned.

Required Education And Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration or a closely related field.
• Two (2) years of full-time experience in advanced budget preparation, budget analysis, budget management or related experience. 

•     A master's degree may be substituted for one year of experience.

Required Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities:

• Knowledge of accounting, budgetary, and management principles, practices, and procedures; of forecasting methodologies; and of automated accounting, budgeting, and forecasting programs.
• Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Ability to analyze fiscal management information, to determine appropriate use of funds, to perform statistical analyses, and to communicate effectively.
• Knowledge of legislative appropriation request and annual operating budget processes and of performance measurement and reporting.
• Ability to identify and develop budgetary reports and schedules, to analyze management problems and develop and present solutions
• Performing work that often requires knowledge commonly acquired through a prolonged course of specialized academic instruction in a business field.
• Analyzing detailed accounting records, troubleshooting associated problems, and interpreting and applying applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
• Interacts with internal and external stakeholders in a friendly and professional manner, works to resolve inquiries quickly and effectively.
• Communicates effectively using prescribed formats, and adhering to all rules of spelling, grammar, punctuation, diction and style.
• Performs computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division correctly using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.
• Using a computer in a Windows environment with Microsoft Office word processing, spreadsheet, and other business software to analyze data and prepare correspondence and reports.
• Working effectively under pressure to meet strict deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail.
• Accurately and rapidly using a calculator.
• Excel for analysis of large data sets.

Preferred Education And Experience:

• Knowledge of legal restrictions governing allocation of funds.
• State of Texas budget analysis experience.
• Experience working with the Legislative Budget Board, Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Legislature.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities:

• Knowledge of ABEST, USAS and CAPPS software systems.
• Knowledge of presenting data visually.
• Use advanced to expert level knowledge to perform in-depth strategic tasks, administrative and operational studies; develop and perform statistical and research studies and address business problems. 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for extended periods throughout the day.
• Minimal physical exertion beyond basic office tasks with occasional travel (approximately 5% travel).
• Consistent use of office equipment, such as computers, phones, printers, and database systems.
• Adequate hand-eye coordination for typing, computer use, and document review.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks efficiently including data entry and record review.
• Basic mobility for occasional walking within the office and travel to field locations.

Why work at TCOLE?

Working for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) empowers you to make an impact on public safety while engaging in continuous learning within a supportive environment. You'll play a crucial role in upholding high law enforcement standards, collaborating with local agencies, and enhancing the well-being of Texans. As a Texas State employee, you will have access to our comprehensive benefit programs including:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans with several types of coverage to state employees and their eligible family members
• 12 - 16 days of annual paid holidays 
• At least eight hours of paid vacation and up to eight hours of paid sick leave each month for full-time employees
• Retirement options with the State of Texas Retirement that provide flexibility and security
• Health and Wellness programs including wellness leave, fitness and weight management programs, and personalized wellness tools
• TCOLE is a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program  
• The Discount Purchase Program provides access to an online marketplace offering discount on a wide range of products and services

All positions with TCOLE are security sensitive. Applicants are subject to an in-depth background investigation including criminal history, employment history and references, military, education, and personal references. Employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required.

• Equal Opportunity Employer – TCOLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
• ADA - In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), TCOLE will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the online application, contact the Human Resources Department at 512-936-0831. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
• Military Occupational Specialty Codes - Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with experience in the Military Occupational Specialty ( https://www.trs.texas.gov/files/trs-military-crosswalk.xlsx ) along with the minimum qualifications listed above may meet the minimum requirements and are highly encouraged to apply.
• Veterans Preference – Veterans, surviving spouses, and orphans of veterans may qualify for preference under Texas Government Code Chapter 657. Applicants who wish to claim Veterans preference must provide official documentation at the time of application to verify eligibility.

Benefits – For new hires and rehires, health insurance is available the 1st of the following month after a 60-day waiting period. More information about benefits is available at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance