Financial Specialist III

Fairfax County, VA

$80K — $141K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, public administration, public policy or related field.
  • 3 years of professional experience in finance, budgeting, or contract management.
  • A master's degree or CPA may substitute for 1 year of experience.
  • Considerable knowledge of governmental budgeting principles and fiscal management.
  • Ability to supervise and coordinate staff activities.

Responsibilities

  • Lead agency-wide budget planning and financial coordination.
  • Develop annual budget goals aligned with strategic business plans.
  • Oversee the county budget request process and coordinate submissions.
  • Manage annual budget review and rebalance cycle.
  • Research budget and finance requirements, analyzing impacts on operations.

Benefits

  • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
  • Group Term Life Insurance
  • Long Term Disability
  • Flexible Spending Programs
  • Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Continuous Learning Opportunities
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employees' Child Care Center
Full Job Description
Salary : $80,776.80 - $141,359.50 Annually
Location : HERRITY BUILDING (B-2), 12055 GOVERNMENT CENTER PKWY, FAIRFAX (EJ26), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 26-01228
Department: Park Authority
Opening Date: 08/08/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S27
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Under the direction of the Operating Budget Manager and the Budget, Procurement, and Analysis Branch manager, this position leads agency-wide budget planning, analysis, and strategic financial coordination for the Fairfax County Park Authority. Working closely with business units, the Business Analytics team, and the Financial Management Branch, this role develops annual budget goals and strategies that ensure resources are aligned with the Park Authority's strategic business and financial plans. The position oversees the full annual county budget request process, including coordinating submissions, developing supporting data, preparing materials and presentations, and recommending funding priorities. It also manages the annual budget review and rebalance cycle, partners with business units to refine goals and targets, and ensures business plans, budget submissions, and fee strategies are integrated and consistent.

Candidates are encouraged to submit a complete summary of their relevant experience. We strongly encourage this summary to be comprehensive, as this information will be reviewed to verify qualifications for all candidates and determine compensation for the selectee.
Illustrative Duties
(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
  • Participates in the formulation and documentation of agency fiscal policies and procedures;
  • Maintains numerous fund/sub fund accounts;
  • Reviews long range revenue and expenditures estimates to ensure availability of funds;
  • Prepares and/or oversees the preparation of large agency budget;
  • Applies budget, procurement, and payment procedures in accordance with established county policies, accounting principles (GAAP and GASB), and local and state policies and procedures;
  • Researches budget, finance and procurement requirements, analyzes impact on current operations and recommends means of implementation.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
  • Considerable knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of governmental budgeting and fiscal management and the ability to apply them to complex governmental systems;
  • Considerable knowledge of federal, state and county policies, procedures, regulations and legislation impacting the maintenance of financial records;
  • Ability to effectively supervise and coordinate the activities of staff;
  • Ability to develop and implement fiscal policies and procedures.

Employment Standards
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.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Driver's license (required)
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Knowledge of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
  • Understanding of revenue funds management preferred.
  • Ability to use multiple systems in preparation of work.
  • Strong analytical and communication skills required.
  • Must be detailed oriented and be able to work with a team to achieve organizational goals.
  • Strong communication skills in person and in writing.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Ability to move about and lift up to 5 pounds. Ability to remain seated at desk for long periods of time. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.SELECTION PROCEDURE:Panel interview; may include exercise.


Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
  • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
  • Group Term Life Insurance
  • Long Term Disability
  • LiveWell Program
  • Flexible Spending Programs
  • Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employees' Child Care Center
  • Continuous Learning Opportunities
Please click for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions
  1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
    • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
    • Flexible Spending Program
    • Deferred Compensation
  2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
    • No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
  • Less than 12th grade
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Some college
  • Associate's degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
  • Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.
  • Less than 45 quarter hours
  • 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
  • 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
  • 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
  • 180 or more quarter hours
  • Less than 30 semester hours
  • 30 to less than 60 semester hours
  • 60 to less than 90 semester hours
  • 90 to less than 120 semester hours
  • 120 or more semester hours
  • Not applicable

03

Please indicate the major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.
  • Accounting
  • Business administration
  • Finance
  • Public administration
  • Public policy
  • Other (related field)
  • Other (non-related field)
  • Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05

Do you currently possess a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license?Please list your license number and expiration date under the "Certificates and Licenses" section of your application.
  • Yes
  • No

06

Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

07

How many years of full-time equivalent professional-level experience do you have in finance, business administration, budgeting, or contract management?
  • None
  • Less than one year
  • One to less than two years
  • Two to less than three years
  • Three to less than four years
  • Four to less than five years
  • Five to less than six years
  • Six to less than seven years
  • Seven or more years

08

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have conducting business and financial analysis?
  • None
  • Less than one year
  • One to less than two years
  • Two to less than three years
  • Three to less than four years
  • Four to less than five years
  • Five or more years

09

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working with various business intelligence software and reporting tools, including Microsoft Power BI?
  • None
  • Less than one year
  • One to less than two years
  • Two to less than three years
  • Three to less than four years
  • Four to less than five years
  • Five or more years

10

Which of the following are included in your professional work experience? Check all that apply.
  • Developing budget targets and goals
  • Developing business and financial plans
  • Creating complex financial and business projection models
  • Communicating analytical and financial insights to various audiences
  • Translating business needs/requirements into budgets or budget requests
  • None of the above

11

If you have experience utilizing a financial module of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application or an automated accounting system, please list them below. If this question does not pertain to you, please enter N/A.
Required Question

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