Fiscal Consultant
Ehlers is an independent advisory firm founded in 1955, providing financial solutions to public sector clients across 5 states with offices in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We are a 100% employee-owned firm (ESOP) comprised of advisors, specialists, project managers, analysts and support staff, all committed to a shared mission of helping our clients build outstanding places to live, work, learn and play. We are currently seeking a Fiscal Consultant to join our Wisconsin Fiscal Consulting team.
Ehlers offers an outstanding compensation package! We provide competitive wages, discretionary and goal-based performance bonuses, a 100% employer-contributed ESOP, and two excellent health-care coverage plans. We also deliver employer-paid life insurance, life insurance options for spouses and children, dental and vision insurance, paid parental leave, flexible time off and generous sick-time allowances!
Ehlers is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.
Job Details
- Level: Mid-Career
- Job Location: Waukesha, WI
- Position Type: Exempt
- Education Level: 4-year degree in Public Administration, Business, Accounting, Math, Economics or related field
- Salary Range: $67,000 - $90,000
- Travel Percentage: 5%
- Job Shift: First/Days
- Job Category: Municipal Finance
Essential Job Functions
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Long-Term Financial Planning
Conceptualize projects to determine how to translate existing financial information into plans and analyses that will meet client objectives.
Utilize client planning documents and adopted plans, financial statements, budgets, and client-directed assumptions to forecast revenues, expenditures, cash balances, and funding requirements for governmental and enterprise funds.
Work with internal teams of Municipal Advisors, client staff and other consultants to achieve client policy directives. Evaluate timing and financial impacts of capital improvements, operational changes, and financing scenarios for governmental and enterprise funds, as well as estimated impacts to taxpayers and system users. -
Utility Rate Reporting
Prepare various utility rate scenarios and financial analyses for enterprise funds.
Review Wisconsin Public Service Commission documents including rate cases, construction authorizations, annual reports, and tariff changes, and supporting documents to determine compliance with regulations. Identify discrepancies and work with Municipal Advisors, clients, and others to resolve or remediate.
Complete all applicable Wisconsin Public Service Commission utility rate applications, assist clients with Public Service Commission data requests and review of Public Service Commission correspondence.
Prepare cost of service rate making studies for water and sewer utilities.
Prepare utility rate study reports, cash flow statements and projections for enterprise funds. -
Support Functions
Present work products at meetings with client administrative personnel and governing bodies with and without other Ehlers staff.
Develop and improve Excel and Word financial modeling templates, reports and other work products.
Monitor, evaluate and communicate the impact(s) of changes in state laws and regulatory requirements that affect client finances. -
Financial Reporting
Prepare reports and presentations that provide narrative detail and financial forecasts including evaluations of specific financial risk, financing options, utility customer data, rate setting options, tax impacts and projected results.
Prepare annual tax increment financing cash flow updates and reports. -
Other Responsibilities
Keep current and knowledgeable on all aspects of the job by independently engaging in learning and training opportunities.
Perform other duties as required to fulfill the mission of the company.
Requirements
Education:
- 4-year degree in Public Administration, Business, Accounting, Economics, Math or related, preferred
- Post-secondary education or equivalent experience with an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles as applied to governmental entities, required.
Experience:
- 3-5 years’ progressive experience in accounting/finance with a focus on government finance and accounting
- Experience working with governmental financial statements, preferred.
Knowledge/Skills:
- Fundamental understanding of governmental accounting concepts and principles.
- Comprehension of property and other tax systems and user-fee based enterprise systems, such as public utilities.
- Ability to analyze financial and other data to develop feasible solutions, clearly outlining both quantitative and qualitative considerations to offer recommendation(s) to clients.
- Well-developed interpersonal and written communication skills that create and maintain positive relationships with clients, teammates, and other professionals.
- Ability to learn American Water Works Association cost of service rate making skills.
- Clear demonstration of effective problem-solving skills.
- Ability to understand relationships between budgets and actual financial performance and sensitivity analysis required for financial forecasts.
- Excellent PC skills utilizing Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and database programs.
- Exceptional attention to detail, care, and accuracy in completing tasks.
- Able to proof and edit spreadsheets and documents so that they are grammatically correct and free of mathematical, structural, and organizational errors.
- Able to manage multiple work activities and assignments. Prioritize tasks and organize workflow so that deadlines are met, and essential, time-sensitive work is completed.
- Seek opportunities for business development.
- Continuously identify and execute on opportunities for process and technological improvements.
- Recognize and pursue opportunities for professional development.
- Actively contribute in a team environment to achieve individual, team, and company goals.
- Collaborate with Ehlers team members and clients to complete projects on-time and on-budget.
Physical Demands:
- Perform stationary work 90% of the time using a computer and applicable office equipment
- Move about inside the office 10% of the time to access files, office equipment and communicate with colleagues
- Travel as needed or provide online training as needed primarily during business hours but could include after hours work sessions or board meetings