Job Title: Budget Analyst II
Department: Budget
External Hiring Range: $81,979.68 - $103,991.08
Compensation Grade: 3009
Posted Internally and Externally
Buncombe County offers in-office, hybrid, and remote positions. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must work at a location within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility.
Our Budget Department has a role that offers the opportunity to dive into meaningful financial research and analysis that directly supports County leadership in shaping and managing the annual budget. You’ll take a close look at budget requests from various County departments, analyze their needs, and help turn those insights into clear, thoughtful reports or presentations that guide budget decisions.
In addition to budget work, you’ll have the chance to take on a variety of studies that involve gathering and evaluating financial and other data—sometimes independently, sometimes alongside a team—and sharing your findings in written or verbal form. The position provides a lot of room for independent decision-making, especially when applying your knowledge of budgeting and accounting principles.
You’ll work under the general guidance of the Budget Director, with your contributions evaluated through collaboration, observations, and review of the reports you produce. Overall, this role is well‑suited for someone who enjoys analytical work, values autonomy, and wants to make a meaningful impact on how the County operates.
Purpose of the position:
The purpose of this position is to perform advanced analysis and evaluation in the preparation and administration of the County's operating and capital budgets to aid in organizational and budgetary decision-making.
Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, or related field, from an accredited institution and four (4) years of experience preferably including experience in accounting or budgeting; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Essential Functions of the position:
- Review program budgets and expenditures.
- Provide consultation, technical assistance, and coordination in the preparation and execution of the operating and project budgets which may utilize multiple funding sources.
- Complete or evaluate methodologies used in the preparation of budget or program spending forecasts and provide technical assistance to improve the accuracy of projections.
- Examine budgets and expenditures for compliance with applicable County policies, state budget rules, legislative intent, and federal and state laws.
- Regularly monitor the budget throughout the year and conduct analysis on discrepancies between estimated and real spending, adherence to budgetary rules, and regulations and accuracy in accounting calculations.
- Demonstrate knowledge of review and submission of budget revisions and are familiar with budget systems.
- Conducts analysis of ongoing spending patterns for program budgets and identify potential areas of concern.
- Provide technical assistance and guidance to County staff relative to County policy and state budget rules and laws and may supervise lower-level staff.
- Evaluate program, policy, and rule changes to determine fiscal and program impact and assure compliance with federal and state requirements.
- Analyze complex budgetary data and interpret and evaluate results, prepare documentation, and create financial and budget reports and/or presentations.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting and budgetary principles and ability to keep current with developments and trends.
- Ability to solve a variety of problems that require the examination of data and processes to determine the best course(s) of action.
- Thorough knowledge of applicable information technology to perform budget duties. May require ability to develop and implement system changes.
- Ability to monitor and collect data and to assess the accuracy and integrity of data; Ability to analyze complex data.
- Ability to ensure compliance with applicable standards, rules, regulations, and systems of internal control.
- Ability to interpret and evaluate results, prepare documentation, and create financial and budget reports and/or presentations.
- Ability to independently resolve and/or develop recommendations for unprecedented, complex issues and problems.
- Ability to serve as a resource for others in resolving unprecedented, non-standard issues and problems.
- Ability to anticipate problems and develop recommendations for management resolution; Ability to consider impact on productivity and service delivery; Ability to consider short- and long-term impact of decisions.
- Ability to understand client programs, organization, and culture.
- Ability to present appropriate issues to internal management, external partners and periodically Board of Commissioners.
Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.
It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, or a related field from an accredited institution
- Four years of experience, preferably including accounting or budgeting experience
- Equivalent combination of training and experience may be accepted
What We Do
Buncombe County is a local government entity in North Carolina. It provides essential public services and focuses on creating a robust, sustainable regional economy. The county aims to support homegrown industries, attract new businesses, and increase high-wage employment opportunities to ensure economic mobility for its residents, as detailed in its strategic planning and economic development policies.
