About the Department
Hiring Range Negotiable Between: $91,062 - $115,000 DOE/DOQ*
Are you an experienced financial professional looking to make an impact in a dynamic public agency environment? The Port of San Diego is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst to support our operations including: budget support for multiple departments, month-end and year-end financial reporting, and preparation support of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). This role requires strong analytical, technical, and excellent customer service skills, with the ability to support complex financial operations and collaborate with department stakeholders. SAP experience is preferred, and training will be provided for areas where direct experience may be limited.
DEFINITION
Under general direction, performs highly complex and responsible financial, budgetary, statistical, and other management analyses in support of Port-wide financial, budgetary, and other programs; assists with the preparation and publishing of the District-wide budget book; assists with the preparation of the annual financial audit, Single Audit, and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); develops and recommends improvement to business operations and processes; performs a variety of responsibilities that require application of professional accounting principles, standards, and practices; provides sound professional recommendations for action and significant assistance in developing and improving financial, accounting, and other systems, policies, programs, and processes; and performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey-level classification in the Financial Analyst series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to perform assigned duties. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to complete assignments. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements.
Position Duties
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Plans, organizes, coordinates, and conducts complex financial, budgetary, or management studies relating to assigned issues, programs, and specialized areas, including long-range projections; identifies issues, determines analytical techniques and statistical and information-gathering processes, and researches and obtains necessary information and data for analysis; analyzes alternatives and makes recommendations; conducts cost/benefit analysis, as directed; discusses findings with senior management and presents findings to Commissioners, public agencies, federal and state legislators, and the public, as directed; develops reports of study conclusions and recommendations.
- Conducts complex operational and organizational studies of financial, accounting, budgeting, and other business systems, programs, practices, processes, policies, and procedures, and formulates conclusions and recommendations; evaluates financial management, cost accounting, cost control, budgeting, and other applicable systems, policies, processes, and procedures; identifies opportunities for improvement; formulates, recommends, and leads implementation of approved additions and changes; as assigned, serves as departmental representative and lead in review, selection, implementation, and maintenance of financial, budget, or other related IT systems or database and software applications.
- Participates in the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of most complex and large-scale division and department budgets and the District-wide budget; develops, reviews, summarizes, and analyzes financial plan projections and documents; utilizes budget and financial software and systems; monitors, tracks, and analyzes actual performance against budgets, identifies potential issues, and formulates recommendations to management; researches, negotiates, and resolves disputes, some of which may be highly sensitive or complex; drafts and/or analyzes budget proposals, requests, and other related documents, including budget amendments; analyzes and compiles data and information and drafts Port-wide financial summaries.
- Prepares, reviews, and assists with budget book development; reviews revenue and expense forecasts for cashflow; monitors, analyzes, and reviews expenses and capital expenditures submitted by departments Port-wide to reflect budget adjustments and funding changes; analyzes actual performance against budget; utilizes financial systems to develop the budget.
- Provides expert analyses, information, training, and responsive service to customers; researches and answers financial and budget inquiries submitted by staff, Port management, tenants, vendors, other public agencies, and the Board of Commissioners; interprets and explains applicable laws, regulations, codes, and policies; develops materials for and provides instruction in formal training sessions, including those related to the budget cycle; trains/mentors analysts from other departments on report generation, budget variance analysis, budget development, technical assistance, and other special requests; troubleshoots and responds to customer inquiries regarding budget and financial systems and software; handles complex and sensitive issues referred by other accounting, Financial Services Department staff, or management.
- Develops, analyzes, maintains, and distributes various periodic and ad-hoc financial, statistical, analytical, and management reports and statements; compiles, calculates, and analyzes complex data and information from a variety of sources; as necessary, performs extensive research, including analyzing and applying new regulatory requirements; performs in-depth analysis of financial conditions, variances, and trends; converts and maintains cash flow statements from indirect to direct methods of presentation.
- Builds databases and spreadsheets of financial, economic, and other data, and uses specialized software to generate complex forecasts of financial impacts; creates financial models; performs complex financial analyses and statistical computations for cost allocation plans.
- Analyzes accounting transactions and determines appropriate treatment; initiates coding; manages, monitors, and maintains work order system; approves new work order requests; processes, analyzes, and distributes overhead or other assigned rates; maintains, allocates, balances, analyzes, and reconciles assigned specialized accounts; allocates, reviews, and analyzes General and Administrative cost plans; performs analyses to ensure system integrity and accuracy.
- Participates in preparation, review, evaluation, and monitoring of Capital Development Plans (CDP) and budgets; verifies accuracy of financial information and cost charges to capital development and major maintenance projects, including correct coding and account reasonableness; updates and maintains files and spreadsheets regarding current project budgets and schedules; monitors and updates operating and capital budgets to reflect budget adjustments and funding changes; reviews CDP requests for technical compliance; within levels of authority, closes out and capitalizes capital projects, as directed.
- Plans, manages, organizes, and oversees assigned periodic closing activities; identifies and researches closing issues, errors, and problems, and develops and takes action to ensure issues are fully resolved, as necessary; runs variance reports to departments and provides detailed analysis to explain the actuals vs budget performances; runs cost allocation and general and administrative cost assessments after month-end is closed; prepares final balance sheet entries; reviews and/or analyzes the performance metrics to accompany the Monthly Financial Management Report.
- Coordinates with IT staff on system issues and problems by appropriately identifying problem and providing recommendations for resolution; serves as departmental representative and lead in review, selection, implementation, and maintenance of financial, budget, or other related IT systems or database and software applications; assists with IT system improvements and leads Finance implementation of additions, changes, and testing as assigned.
- Provides advanced level professional assistance and expertise in the Port’s month-end and year-end closing and audit processes; reviews various month-end reports during closing process, identifies errors and mitigates risk of system errors; performs complex calculations and prepares assigned month-end and year-end journal entries and general ledger account reconciliations; analyzes data and makes accounting adjustments; drafts, reviews, and analyzes audit workpapers; performs financial and other analyses requested by auditors.
- Prepares monthly financial statements, annual financial Audit Report, Single Audit Report, ACFR, schedules, and reports for the Port and other regulatory bodies; prepares monthly and periodic accounting reports and schedules; assists with preparation of the Port’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)and supporting audit work.
- Implements all new Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) financial statement disclosure requirements; collaborates with affected Port departments to facilitate timely and accurate implementation.
- Reviews grant guidelines and maintains working relationships with grant funding agencies for financial reporting requirements; monitors and requests reimbursement of funds from federal, state, and local agencies; maintains finance reports for audit requirements; prepares Single Audit report and subsequent support to single audit requests.
- Develops and utilizes advanced spreadsheets including charts and graphic presentations, databases, and other computer applications required to carry out assigned studies, projects, and reports.
- Reviews and analyzes the work of other departmental staff to determine the accuracy of financial calculations.
- Provides training and assistance to other financial and accounting staff and others to accomplish work objectives.
- Performs assigned disaster service worker responsibilities, as directed.
- Observes and complies with all Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of financial analysis and forecasting, including statistical modeling techniques.
- Principles, practices, and methods of budget development and management.
- Port financial and budget policies, practices, and procedures.
- Principles, practices, laws, and regulations governing public financing and the financing of capital projects.
- Advanced principles, practices, and methods of administrative, organizational, economic, and procedural analysis.
- Principles and practices of public administration, including purchasing, contracting, and maintenance of public records.
- Principles and practices of general accounting, including financial statement preparation and methods of financial control and reporting.
- Principles and practices of cost accounting; Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) accounting standards and requirements.
- Principles and practices used in grant administration and reporting.
- Principles and practices of sound business communication.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
- Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Port staff.
- The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Ability to: - Perform highly complex analyses of financial, budgetary, operational, and organizational problems, evaluate alternatives, and reach sound, logical, fact-based conclusions and recommendations.
- Collect, evaluate, and interpret a wide range of complex data, either in statistical or narrative form.
- Develop and implement financial procedures and controls.
- Communicate budget and financial information and interpret budget policies and procedures to staff and to other Port officials.
- Maintain files, records, and documentation.
- Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex, and confidential issues and situations.
- Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
- Effectively represent the department and the Port in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
- Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
- Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education:
- Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, or a related field.
Experience:
- Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience performing governmental budget and finance analysis or professional accounting.
Other Qualifications
Hiring Range Negotiable Between: $91,062 - $115,000 DOE/DOQ*
The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training, and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.
Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process which may be administered by a written examination, panel interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.
Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more of the assessments listed below. Passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section.
THE APPRAISAL PANEL (100%) IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026
To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/portofsd Please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded) to your application or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.
Placement on Eligible List: The Department of Human Resources may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the assessment process. Candidates who are successful in all phases of the assessment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of ninety (90) days or up to one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to Rule 8, Section 4.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The District firmly believes in, and is committed to, the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. It is the policy of the District to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to age (40 and above), ancestry, color, disability (mental or physical), gender (including identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's sex at birth), marital status, medical condition, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various Port sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds, or heavier weights of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing divisional policies and procedures.