Principal Financial Analyst (Budgets)

Job Description:

Principal Financial Analyst (Budgets)

Description

General

Under general direction, performs highly complex financial, analytical, business systems, and strategic planning work in support of organizational budgeting, financial planning, cost allocation, and enterprise performance management activities. Serves as a lead analyst and subject matter expert responsible for the administration and support of the Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) system and/or the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Internal Cost Allocation Plan (ICAP). Functions as a trusted business partner to operational departments, providing expert financial analysis, business process improvement, system administration, and policy recommendations that support informed decision-making and organizational objectives.

2 positions are available to be filled. One dedicated to Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) and one Internal Cost Allocation Plan (ICAP).

Essential Functions & Duties

Enterprise Performance Management (EPM)
Examples of Essential Functions

• Serve as the functional administrator and subject matter expert for the District's Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) budgeting and planning system.
• Collaborate with Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, and departmental stakeholders to identify, document, prioritize, and implement Budget Department’s business requirements.
• Coordinate with IT any required updates system configurations related to dimensions, hierarchies, workflows, security roles, business rules, planning models, and related system components.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance financial, operational, capital, and workforce planning reports, dashboards, and analytical tools.
• Support annual operating and capital budget development, forecasting, workforce planning, and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) processes through the EPM platform.
• Coordinate data integrations, validation activities, testing efforts, and system enhancements.
• Develop training materials and provide ongoing support and technical guidance to budget staff, division champions, cost center managers, and other users.
• Evaluate business processes and recommend system enhancements to improve efficiency, accuracy, reporting capabilities, and user experience.
• Serve as a liaison between business users, software vendors, consultants, and technical support teams.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Define budget forms, templates, workflows, approval paths, and reporting structures.
• Define user access, security permissions, and role assignments. Work with IT to implement.
• Coordinate system testing, user acceptance testing, and implementation activities.
• Support system upgrades, enhancements, and integration efforts.
• Monitor system performance and data integrity and troubleshoot issues with IT.
• Develop and maintain user documentation, training materials, and standard operating procedures.

Internal Cost Allocation Plan (ICAP)
Examples of Essential Duties

• Lead the development, implementation, administration, and annual update of the Internal Cost Allocation Plan (ICAP).
• Design, maintain, and evaluate methodologies used to allocate indirect costs, administrative expenses, and shared service costs among departments, programs, projects, and partner agencies.
• Develop and administer complex cost allocation models to ensure equitable and appropriate cost recovery.
• Conduct periodic reviews of allocation methodologies, drivers, assumptions, and cost recovery practices and recommend modifications based on organizational and operational changes.
• Ensure allocation methodologies are transparent, defensible, equitable, and aligned with industry best practices and applicable regulations.
• Interpret, analyze, and communicate complex financial and operational information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations supporting executive management, committees, and governing boards.
• Provide financial consultation and recommendations related to cost recovery strategies, cross-functional initiatives, and organizational funding decisions.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation supporting allocation calculations, methodologies, assumptions, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, grant requirements, federal cost principles, and organizational policies.
• Prepare analyses, schedules, and supporting documentation for internal and external audits and respond to auditor inquiries regarding cost allocation methodologies and practices.

Examples of Duties

• Develop, maintain, and update detailed cost allocation models and supporting schedules.
• Analyze departmental expenditures, staffing, service levels, and operational metrics to support cost allocation methodologies.
• Calculate and distribute shared service costs among agencies, departments, programs, and projects.
• Evaluate alternative allocation methodologies and prepare recommendations identifying financial impacts, advantages, and risks.
• Monitor cost recovery performance and identify opportunities to improve allocation accuracy and transparency.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, accounting, business systems analysis, enterprise applications support, financial planning, cost allocation, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:
Enterprise Performance Management

• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, workforce planning, or performance management functions.
• Experience administering or supporting Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), or other enterprise business systems.
• Experience with budgeting and planning platforms such as Oracle EPM, Hyperion, Workday Adaptive Planning, Anaplan, or similar systems.
• Experience with ERP systems such as PeopleSoft, Oracle, SAP, Workday, or similar platforms.
• Experience leading business process improvement, system implementation, organizational change management, or enterprise technology initiatives.
• Public sector experience is desirable.

Internal Cost Allocation Plan (ICAP)

• Experience developing and administering Internal Cost Allocation Plans (ICAPs) in a public-sector environment.
• Experience with cost recovery, indirect cost allocation, shared services, and chargeback methodologies.
• Knowledge of federal grant cost allocation requirements, Uniform Guidance principles, and governmental accounting practices.
• Experience supporting multi-agency, regional, transportation, utility, or governmental organizations.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:

Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
  

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
  

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
  

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
  

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
  

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.
  

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
  

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.

Closing Date/Time: 6/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$129,834.00 - $181,767.00 Annually