Finance & Budget Analyst

Job Summary:

The Finance & Budget Analyst is responsible for analyzing and monitoring financial and budgetary data, developing and implementing the University budget under the direction of the AVP of Finance/Controller, providing budgetary training and consulting to University administrators, assisting with the daily operations of the Controller's Office, to include procurement and miscellaneous financial analysis projects. This position requires excellent analytical skills, critical thinking skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Supervision Received and Exercised:
Receives direction from the AVP of Finance/Controller, CFO, and higher level staff as appropriate.

Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to:

• Developing, reviewing, implementing and monitoring the University's annual budget, to include multi-year projections and forecasts
• Assists in preparing operational budgets for individual University departments
• Perform budget analysis which requires interpreting complex data and information and closely monitoring and reviewing budgeted revenues and expenditures to ensure conformance with budgetary provisions throughout year
• Compiles data and prepares reports, including, but not limited to, revenue and cost analyzes, cost/benefit analyzes, monthly VP reports on current budget status
• Conducts variance analyzes and investigates variances
• Present and communicate analysis findings in a clear and concise manner
• Provide periodic status reports with emphasis on year end balances
• Make recommendations for necessary changes
• Provide full scope of financial support to employees who work with and manage departmental budgets
• Participates in development of and/or revisions to University policies and procedures relating to budgeting
• Communicates and administers University policies and procedures relating to budget functions
• Provides training to University employees in regards to budgeting policies and procedures
• Review and communicate any recommended changes to the Chart of Accounts to the AVP of Finance/Controller
• Provides technical advice and assistance to university departments in implementation of new processes involving budgeting, accounting and procurement services
• Maintains creation, administration, and dissemination of budget reports through University intra-net portal and budgeting platform
• Assists and provides training to University employees in regards to budget transfers, or processes budget transfers as appropriate
• Reviews all requisitions entered by University employees to determine proper coding, compliance with procurement policies and procedures, and availability of budget funds for the expense
• Responsible for setup and monitoring of projects, tracking costs, and providing reports to management
• Prepares journal entries, as needed
• Update monthly processes to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance or equivalent
• 3-5 years budgetary or accounting experience

Requirements:

• Program leadership and working knowledge of and ability to apply expertise to financial budget and account management functions applicable to assigned programs
• Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs
• Accountable for own work results which are reviewed for soundness of judgment
• Expertise in anticipating, analyzing and defining problem areas, perform preliminary analyses and make appropriate recommendations; write clear and concise analytical comments
• Ability to prepare related reports and correspondence for higher level review; document and maintain business processes, standards and procedures
• Ability to implement new planning, data and analytics solution ideas to improve insights, automate or reduce manual work; effectively manage the change that results from the introduction of new technology and processes
• Experience leading projects

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting and accounting
• General knowledge of the fiscal organization of a university
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used
• Ability to compose clear and concise reports and correspondence
• Advanced proficiency in Excel or comparable spreadsheet program
• Ability to analyze and review the budgets and financial practices of the University
• Ability to manage multiple work priorities and organize and plan work to meet deadlines
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications
• Ability to conduct research and formulate conclusions in relation to generally accepted accounting principles and budgeting functions affecting the University
• Ability to conduct extensive financial data compilation and query and drill on large volumes of data
• Ability to analyze data and draw sound conclusions
• Ability to work with all levels of personnel with excellent leadership, verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated adaptability and ability to manage change
• Ability to think "out of the box" to solve problems and make processes more efficient
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy and confidentiality