Financial & Grants Analyst

Summary

The City of Garland is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical professional to serve as a Financial & Grants Analyst. This position provides financial, accounting, underwriting, auditing, and grant administration support for City programs and initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have a strong financial background with experience or education in accounting, banking, lending, underwriting, auditing, or financial analysis. Municipal accounting or grant experience is preferred but is not required. The position is well suited for an individual who enjoys working with numbers and detailed financial information, learns new processes quickly, and communicates effectively with both internal staff and the public.

Target Pay Range: $55,946.07- 63,596.62 (Depending on qualifications and experience)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Financial Analysis and Review

• Review financial statements, tax returns, bank statements, income documentation, budgets, invoices, and other financial records.
• Assist with financial reviews and underwriting for City loan, housing, rehabilitation, development, and assistance programs.
• Review applicant and borrower financial information for completeness, accuracy, and program eligibility.
• Calculate income, debt-to-income ratios, loan-to-value ratios, project costs, funding gaps, repayment amounts, and other financial measures as required.
• Identify discrepancies, missing documentation, or financial information requiring additional review.
• Prepare worksheets, financial summaries, and supporting documentation for management review.

Accounting and Financial Support

• Review invoices, payment requests, purchase orders, reimbursements, and other financial transactions for accuracy and proper documentation.
• Assist with monitoring program budgets, expenditures, revenues, commitments, and available funding.
• Reconcile financial records among City accounting systems, program systems, spreadsheets, and supporting documentation.
• Assist with expenditure reports, reconciliations, budget information, fiscal year-end activities, and audit preparation.
• Research financial discrepancies and work with appropriate staff to resolve issues.
• Maintain organized and accurate financial documentation in accordance with City procedures.

Grants and Program Administration

• Assist with the financial administration of federal, state, local, and other grant-funded programs.
• Review grant-related expenditures and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, and eligibility.
• Assist with grant budgets, reimbursement requests, expenditure tracking, financial reporting, reconciliations, and funding drawdowns.
• Maintain documentation necessary to support grant and program compliance.
• Assist with monitoring contractors, nonprofit organizations, subrecipients, developers, borrowers, and other organizations receiving City funding.
• Learn and apply applicable grant regulations, program guidelines, City policies, and procedures.

Auditing, Compliance and Reporting

• Assist with internal financial reviews, monitoring activities, and audits.
• Review files and financial documentation for completeness, accuracy, required approvals, and supporting records.
• Identify documentation deficiencies and communicate needed corrections.
• Create and maintain spreadsheets used to track financial and program information.
• Prepare reports, charts, summaries, and presentations for staff and management.
• Perform research and compile financial or program information for management review.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Banking, or a closely related field.
• One to three years of related professional experience in accounting, banking or lending, loan processing or underwriting, credit analysis, financial analysis, auditing, budgeting, governmental or municipal finance, financial compliance, or grant administration.
• Recent graduates with a strong educational background and relevant internship or practical experience may also be considered.

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Preferred Qualifications

Education/ Experience:     

• Experience in banking, lending, loan processing, underwriting, accounting, auditing, or financial analysis.
• Experience in municipal or governmental accounting or finance.
• Experience in federal, state, or local grant programs.
• Experience reviewing individual or business tax returns or other financial eligibility documentation.
• Experience with housing, community development, economic development, or public-sector programs.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with financial or grant-management software.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:       

• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organization.
• Good mathematical, financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to review financial information and identity discrepancies, missing information, or unusual items.
• Basic understanding of accounting and financial principles.
• Ability to understand and follow policies, procedures, contracts, and program requirements.
• Ability to learn governmental and grant requirements, new programs, and software applications quickly.
• Ability to maintain confidential financial and personal information.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to explain financial or program requirements clearly and professionally.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Software and Technology Skills

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is required, with advanced Microsoft Excel skills preferred.
• Microsoft Excel: formulas and functions, financial calculations, sorting and filtering, data analysis, pivot tables, lookup functions, reconciliations, and financial tracking.
• Microsoft Word: reports, correspondence, forms, procedures, and financial/program documentation.
• Microsoft PowerPoint: staff presentations, charts, graphs, and management summaries.
• Microsoft Teams: meetings, communication, file sharing, document collaboration, and team coordination.
• Ability to quickly learn City financial, accounting, grant management, loan management, and program administration software.
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Licenses and Certifications

• Valid Class C Texas driver's license

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The incumbent works in a typical office environment; relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.