Behavioral Health Finance Analyst I/II/Senior

Job Description:

Behavioral Health Finance Analyst I/II/Senior

Description

Description

THE DEPARTMENT: As a vital department of Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA), Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) provides comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment services tailored to meet the needs of our community. From mobile crisis response to outpatient treatment, our array of programs ensures individuals receive the support they need at every stage of their journey.

THE POSITION:
Under general supervision at the I level, direction at the II level or general direction at the Senior level, conducts studies to evaluate existing fiscal controls, accounting standards, accounting systems, financing requirements, and/or legislative impact for the agency; performs duties related to fiscal programs/systems; develops recommendations/strategies to address financial systems, municipal borrowing, or structural accounting issues and options; and coordinates the implementation of new accounting/financial systems or programs.

WHAT WE OFFER:
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. Aside from our base salary range, an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:

• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, or 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
• Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill. Proficiency levels by exam are $0.69/hour (Level I), $1.00/hour (Level II), or $1.32/hour (Level III).
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. If you participate in the County sponsored 401(k) plan, the County will match a part of your contribution up to 3% of your salary, on a per pay period basis. Following five (5) years of continuous County service, an additional 2% non-elective contribution will be made to the 401(k) plan.
• Health Plans - You are afforded a biweekly flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from authorized plans.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Participate in the County's defined benefit pension plan that provides lifetime payments to retirees. Members are "vested" after attaining five years of retirement service credit. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits: Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, LIfe Insurance, Wellness Program.
• To learn more about the benefits, please follow the link: https://vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/HR/MOA/docs/Management_Resolution_-_2024-10_October.pdf

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Each successive level in the Finance Analyst series is distinguished by scope of independence and responsibility. The level of the position within the series is commensurate with the complexity of the assigned tasks.

Finance Analyst I ($37.65 - $51.48 Hourly) - This is the entry-level classification in the Finance Analyst series, where the emphasis is on learning the fiscal operations and processes in the assigned fiscal program area(s), and on conducting duties and responsibilities that are limited in nature. Initially, under close supervision, incumbents perform the more routine duties while learning the assigned program area's fiscal policies, procedures, systems, operations and practices. As experience is gained, and over a period of time, incumbents will assume the increasingly responsible duties associated with the full journey level of the series; however, formal assignment to the journey level is at the discretion and approval of management.

Finance Analyst II ($3,346.52 - $4,685.12 Biweekly) - This is the fully experienced/journey-level classification in the Finance Analyst series, competent to independently perform the full range of duties assigned to the classification. Incumbents in this classification are distinguished from those in the lower level of the series by the performance of the full range of duties and the relative independence with which they perform their duties by applying their working knowledge of fiscal policies and procedures to different work situations, and referring only non-procedural questions to their supervisor. This classification is distinguished from the Senior Finance Analyst in that positions assigned to the advanced journey level classification perform the most complex work assigned to the series, requiring a specialized technical or functional expertise.

Senior Finance Analyst ($3,681.17 - $5,153.63 Biweekly) - This is the advanced journey level in the Finance Analyst series; positions at this level perform the most complex duties and responsibilities assigned to the series, exercising a significant level of independent judgment in the performance of their duties; work assigned to this advanced level requires a specialized technical or functional expertise beyond the journey level, such as serving in a project management capacity in assigned fiscal program area on an ongoing basis; positions may also be assigned functional, technical and lead supervisory duties over lower level staff when such assignments are a formal organizational responsibility, supervising at least three subordinate staff members.

AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Health Care Agency - Behavioral Health Department

The Financial Analyst I is a Management non-exempt classification and eligible for overtime compensation. The Financial Analyst II and Senior are Management exempt classifications and not eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra-Help vacancies for this position only. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: August 5, 2025
CLOSING DATE: August 19, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

Examples Of Duties

The following duties are considered characteristic but not inclusive and are examples only. Specific assigned duties may differ depending on the needs of the department/agency.

Accounting Structures

• Researches and analyzes changes in legislation, Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), State Controller's Manual, Governmental Accounting, Auditing and Financial Reporting, and Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines;
• Evaluates fiscal/accounting operations and recommends policies, systems, and procedures to implement change, taking into consideration the impact to various county agencies (e.g., reporting format/requirements, accounting classifications, fund consolidations, expenses treatment, fixed asset depreciation by fund types, etc.);
• Assists with development of new accounting structure, classifications, internal controls, and reporting requirements;
• Supervises Accounts Payable staff, including assigning work and conducting performance evaluations;
• Establishes and monitors performance measures to maintain departmental standards;
• Supports the accounts payable department with development and implementation of new vendors, contractors, and accounts payable processes. Evaluates and reviews accounting policies and systems for compliance with regulations and reporting requirements; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

Revenue Cost Accounting

• Under general direction, supports the General Accounting Unit with the development, implementation, and upkeep of the VCBH cost accounting structure;
• Supports team members in gathering, consolidating, and validating business assumptions;
• Audits system changes to ensure compliance with established procedures and project requirements;
• Plans, schedules and coordinates all aspects of the Drug Medi-Cal cost report to ensure timely filing as required by the State;
• Prepares state, county, department cost, revenue and other financial reports as requested;
• Works closely with State, Federal and other auditors. Oversees audits, interprets and assists with resolution to audit findings. Provides results and responses to State, Federal and/or other auditors;
• Evaluates the appropriateness of bases and techniques used, equitable allocation of costs, and maximum cost recovery from State and Federal entities;
• Develops charts, graphs, and reports summarizing data on cost and revenue trends;
• Evaluates programs/objects with detailed cost/revenue analyses and reports;
• Monitors revenues and expenditures to determine whether reported levels meet anticipated levels, grant funds are expended appropriately; and revenue is recorded accurately;
• Reviews and analyzes information concerning cost accounting issues and financial reports and provides results and responses to State and/or Federal audits;
• Regularly communicates with agency/department managers and with State and Federal auditors; and
• Provides high level decisions and guidance for accounts payable, collaborates with Provider Network Management to obtain information and documentation for accounts payable as needed. Operates as the go between for accounts payable, contractors, vendors and VCBH management when necessary; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and ensure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Considerable education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. An example of qualifying experience and education includes:

Education
Bachelor's degree with:
1) at least eighteen (18) semester units of accounting coursework including upper-division Managerial Accounting; and
2) six (6) units of upper-division coursework in the business administration field,

AND

Experience (by level)

Finance Analyst I - Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience as an accountant, auditor, analyst, or equivalent which included responsibilities for the evaluation of financial accounting systems, accounting program analysis, cost accounting models, debt service programs, or automated information systems.

Finance Analyst II - Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as an accountant, auditor, analyst, or equivalent which involved healthcare (hospital, behavioral health, and/or ambulatory care) accounting program analysis and cost accounting models, two (2) years of which were with Mental Health, Substance Use Services, and/or hospital Medicare/Medi-Cal cost reporting; OR one (1) year as a Finance Analyst I for the County of Ventura.

Senior Finance Analyst - Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience as an accountant, auditor, analyst, or equivalent which involved healthcare (hospital, behavioral health, and/or ambulatory care) accounting program analysis and cost accounting models, two (2) years of which were with Mental Health, Substance Use Services, and/or hospital Medicare/Medi-Cal cost reporting and one (1) year of which must be at the Project Leader level overseeing the design and implementation of financial accounting systems, accounting program analysis, cost accounting models, debt service programs, or automated information systems; OR two (2) years as a Finance Analyst II for the County of Ventura.

NOTE: Verification of the college-level coursework and degree is required

• Submit your transcripts or grade reports from an accredited college or university which shows your name and reflect a conferred degree and passing grades in the required subject. Attach education verification documents to your online application or submit to Vivian.Merida@ venturacounty.gov prior to the closing date/time of this recruitment.
• If you need additional time to submit transcripts, contact the analyst conducting the recruitment for an extension at Vivian.Merida@venturacounty.gov
• Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Degree(s) from a foreign institution require an academic credential evaluation to determine the U.S. equivalency.
• If the name is different on the transcripts from your application, documentation needs to be submitted showing the name change.

DESIRED

• Public sector healthcare fiscal experience
• Advanced training, as evidenced by a Master's degree of Business Administration (MBA) degree, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge (Finance Analyst I & II) to thorough knowledge (Sr. Finance Analyst) of:

• Financial practices and requirements in the areas of Mental Health, SUS, and/or Public Guardian Programs;
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Generally Accepted Auditing Standards;
• Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circular A-87;
• Comprehensive Annual Financial Report guidelines and processes;
• Budgeting and project management methods and processes;
• Cost accounting principles and processes;
• Laws and regulations affecting governmental financial operations,
• Data processing systems applicable to accounting operations.

Skill in:

• Use of computer and related technology including software applications specific to the work performed;
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word software;
  
• Applying financial principles and regulations to assigned fiscal program area;
  
• Reconciling financial statements;
  
• Developing clear and concise fiscal reports, statements and related documents;
  

Ability to:

• Prepare various complex cost reports (Mental Health, Medicare, Substance Use Services);
• Analyze legislative changes for fiscal impact and accounting requirements;
• Understand interrelationships among financial/accounting records and accounts;
• Analyze financial/accounting data and draw logical conclusions;
• Interpret and apply a variety of complex policies, procedures, rules, regulations, contracts or legal documents;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of people.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE : Applications must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs . If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call ( 805) 677-5184 for application materials and submit your application to County of Ventura, Human Resources - Health Care Agency, 646 County Square, Ventura, CA 93003.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documentation may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application and supplemental questionnaire.

LATERAL TRANSFER OPTION : If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying : All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying : All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

TRAINING and EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to supplemental questions. The T&E is a method for determining the better qualified applicants among those shown to meet the stated requirements. Using a T&E, applicants may be scored or ranked according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. When the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong and large candidates are typically scored or ranked in relation to one another; consequently, some qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or lower resulting in them not being advanced in the process.

NOTE: The selection process may consist of an Oral Exam, which may be preceded or replaced with the score from a Training and Experience (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills and abilities. It is highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence.

NOTE : If there is a high number of qualified applicants, a comparative screening will be conducted to determine which of the applicants will be selected for invitation to the oral examination. Applications will be evaluated and ranked according to criteria that most closely meets the needs of the department, so it is essential that applicants provide as much detail as possible and answer all parts of the application and supplemental questions, if applicable.

ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related Oral Examination may be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

NOTE: If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an oral exam will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION : A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Vivian Merida by telephone at (805) 677-5231 or by e-mail at Vivian.Merida@venturacounty.gov

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

MANAGEMENT

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: MB3, MB4, MS, MT, MCC, MU

Closing Date/Time: 8/19/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$78,308.48 - $133,994.50 Annually