Title: Principal Financial Analyst
Firm: Prince William County Government, Virginia
Age: 38
Svetlana Olchevski is an integral part of Prince William County’s municipal finance team. Although she’s been working in municipal finance only about a year, Svetlana has grasped the many details and regulations of the industry, which have been compounded by the challenges brought on by COVID-19.
"I am very happy I have been given an opportunity to advance my career in public finance. In my opinion, working for a local government is a big responsibility," she said. "We must work diligently performing complex and sensitive analyses in order to provide transparent and accurate information that affects the decision making of our investors. In turn, these efforts provide positive contributions to the community we serve."
Svetlana helps with management of the county’s debt portfolio, including providing disclosure to bondholders and the rating agencies, planning and executing bond sales, making debt payments, and complying with all ongoing debt management requirements.
The county’s general obligation bonds are rated triple-A by Moody’s Investors Service, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. As of June 30, the county’s outstanding debt net of defeasances is $1.14 billion.
During the period of the Virginia governor’s stay at home order, Svetlana maintained compliance requirements, participated in three issuances and developed new methods to ensure the county maintained high standards of quality.
Leading up to a bond sale, she collaborates with the county’s outside financial advisor, the county attorney’s office, outside bond counsel and produces content for the official statement. She has received praise from professionals she's worked with for her outstanding work.
“She has taken the lead to document county’s progress toward its environmental, social and governance goals for the municipal investment community. ESG is an evolving topic of growing significance,” said Sarah Frey, director at PFM Financial Advisors. “Svetlana has also taken the lead in preparing an annual fiscal health outlook report for the county, which monitors the county’s financial condition through ratio and trend analysis, with comparisons locally, regionally, nationally and to rating agency medians and guidelines.”
Drawing on her training as a certified public accountant, she made improvements to the county’s reporting and serves as the representative of Treasury management for the conversion of the county’s financial reporting software. Her participation is often sought by other agencies within the county.
