Financial Specialist III

Make a difference - join our team to empower communities and build futures!

The Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development works in partnership with the Redevelopment and Housing Authority to serve the people of Fairfax County by creating housing opportunities to promote inclusive and thriving communities. Help make our vision of a community everyone can afford to call home a reality!

This position plays a critical role in ensuring fiscal integrity, regulatory compliance, and strategic oversight of federal grant funds that support affordable housing programs across the County.

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines while managing financial operations, reporting, and analysis across multiple funds and programs.
• Oversee accounting activities for assigned funds and programs, including transaction processing, monthly and quarterly reconciliations, and financial reporting in accordance with county and FCRHA guidelines.
• Monitor fund performance and provide variance analysis and financial reports to senior management to support informed decision-making.
• Develop, analyze, and submit operating and capital budgets for assigned funds and programs, utilizing trend analysis and financial data; support the county's budget process, including third-quarter reviews, carryover, and special budget exercises.
• Track and manage capital and proffer projects, including monitoring expenditures, encumbering funds, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and funding requirements.
• Prepare accurate financial statements and supporting documentation; coordinate and support internal and external audits, including contributing to consolidated financial statements.
• Present complex financial data and analysis to leadership and program teams in a clear and actionable manner.
• Provide guidance and support to program staff on financial operations, policies, and transaction processing. Utilize financial systems such as Yardi and SAP to manage and report on financial data effectively.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with either a bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, public administration, public policy or related field; plus, three years of professional-level experience in finance, business administration, budgeting, or contract management, a master's degree in a related field or CPA may substitute for 1 year of experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or public administration.
• Four to six years of progressive experience in field of accounting, finance, or budget; preferred in a government or housing authority setting.
• Experience with financial management and financial operations including budget development and monitoring, reporting, with a solid understanding of governmental accounting principles, financial statement review or preparation.
• Proven ability to develop and perform complex financial reports and analysis, including detailed projections and financial scenarios addressing all funding complexities using available tracking systems and coordination with project or program staff.
• Demonstrates initiative and knowledge to research, understand, and resolve complex financial issues.
• Experience working with SAP or a similar automated accounting/financial system.
• Proficient in producing customized financial reports, analyzing data, and utilizing advanced Excel functions and financial management systems to create and present management reports.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information and build effective working relationships to achieve shared financial and programmatic goals across various stakeholders.
• Experience supervising and managing a team of profession level staff.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.