Financial Analyst

Announcement# Closing Date:
August 3, 2026

Salary Range: $7,948 to $10,105, per month(Current Furlough Salary Range $7,489 to $9,522, per month)
The FINANCIAL ANALYST position is full-time, 40 hours, FLSA exempt, Civil Service and not represented by a Union.

Columbia County is looking for a knowledgeable, dynamic, proven team player to join our County's Finance Department.

The Columbia County Finance Department is responsible for accounting services and financial administration of the county including payroll, budgets, and accounts payable.

Finance Department staff provide the Board of Commissioners and departments with financial information, forecasting, program and financial analysis, as well as ensure that budget processes comply with applicable laws. The department is responsible for the county's annual budget, and for helping departments prepare and administer their specific budgets. The budget covers all major operating functions of the County as well as elected and administrative functions.

DUTIES:
Assist in the preparation of the annual budget for the County and component units, including development of annual schedules to meet budget appropriation and mid-cycle deadlines, compilation and verification of budget and programmatic data, and preparation of a variety of analytics and supporting schedules in a manner that ensures qualification for the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers’ Association.

Assist in the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures; analyze legislation which may affect County, fund, and component unit finances; review division operations for compliance with statutes, rules and regulations.

Monitor revenues and expenditures; develop, prepare, and present comprehensive financial analysis and forecasting of expenditures and revenues and make appropriate recommendations; analyze and prepare long-range projections for various department and fund and operating funds and revenues; coordinate budget and fiscal operations and systems within County departments.

Analyze, evaluate, make recommendations, and prepare requests for fee, rates, and other revenue study requests; plan and conduct special studies and analyses of department and fund rate structures; monitor the implementation of rate revisions; analyze the financial and program impact of rate revisions.

Audit and evaluate contracts, including grant agreements, with terms and conditions and documentation of contract charges and costs.

Evaluate the reliability of financial statements by reviewing journals, payrolls, accounts payable and receivable, bank records, and other financial records.

EDUCATION and/or

EXPERIENCE:

Equivalent to a four-year degree in accounting, finance, business or related field. Three years’ work experience in financial or data analysis, preferably in the public sector. Any satisfactory combination of experience and training, which demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted for the above requirements.

DESIRABLE

QUALIFICATIONS:

Equivalent to an advanced degree in finance preferred. Team player willing to work collaboratively toward shared goals and be open to diverse ideas and perspectives. Receive constructive feedback in a positive manner.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Should possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable under the county’s liability policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY:
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles for governmental entities, methods, and procedures and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of fund accounting transactions and the preparation of complex accounting reports and analyses. Knowledge of audit procedures and techniques.

Skill in financial or accounting software programs and Microsoft Office products.

Ability to:

Organize, prioritize, and produce an accurate work product and meet deadlines.

Think conceptually and quickly to get to the heart of a problem.

Set priorities and develop realistic solutions to problems.

Express ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing. Use sound judgment and not be afraid to take reasonable risks.

Adapt to change or…