The Office of Budget and Planning seeks a Budget Analyst to support the University's budget development, financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and budget governance functions. The Budget Analyst provides financial analysis and decision support to University units, ensuring the effective stewardship of University resources and alignment with institutional priorities. Working collaboratively with campus stakeholders, this position assists with budget development, monitoring, forecasting, position management, reporting, and financial policy interpretation.
Reporting to the Director of Budget and Planning, this position will support departmental goals and objectives through effective collaboration and partnership with colleagues and campus stakeholders. Maintains and interprets financial data and performs detailed analysis of budgets, funding sources, and commitments to support strategic goals and objectives for University departments.
This individual will establish and maintain lines of communication with University personnel in support of the development of information required for accurate record keeping, financial analysis, projections and interpretation of policies and procedures.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree preferably in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field.
Minimum of 1 year of professional experience with similar functional responsibilities.
Skills and Knowledge
- Must work collaboratively and cooperatively with University personnel at all levels.
- Ability to respond flexibly and positively in all circumstances, working calmly under pressure.
- Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion regarding sensitive and confidential information.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to present complex financial information to diverse audiences.
- Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to work independently, prioritizing workload under pressure of competing assignments and converging deadlines. Interpret, plan and execute work within guidelines.
- Strong attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy, including generation and maintenance of financial summaries.
- Strong analytical, mathematical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent computers skills including knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications: Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Extensive use and understanding of Hyperion Planning Essbase and AI tools, such as Claude and Copilot preferred.
- Maintain strong customer focus.
- Willingness to learn new software applications as necessary.
Responsibilities
- Budget and Financial - Under the direction of the Director, the Budget analyst will assist in the preparation of annual operating budget, salary detail files, budget comparisons, and variance analysis.
- Develop and maintain complex spreadsheets and integrated financial models, including operating initiatives and salaries, to inform annual budget preparation, monthly financial reporting, and long-range forecasting.
- Monitor, review and process position evaluation requests in accordance with budget and financial objectives, exercising discretion and sound judgement in decision-making in coordination with primary Budget and Planning team partner.
- Participate and assist with key aspects of estimated final projections, special projects and scenarios related to the University's budget plan.
- Assist in monitoring spending, including review of expense requests against budget, identifying variances to ensure expenditures do not exceed available resources.
- Prepare, review and process journal entries and budget transfers. Create and run queries to provide financial and budget related information.
- Assist with year-end closing including reconciliation and review of year-end reports to ensure accuracy.
- Analysis - Responsible for maintaining comprehensive and timely and accurate information to support financial analysis. Interpret financial results and provide recommendations to support informed decision-making by university leadership and departmental budget managers.
- Assist with budget analysis, examination of budget proposals and long-range plans for completeness, accuracy and consistency with established procedures and organizational objectives.
- Analyze budget and accounting reports for anomalies, inconsistencies and trends affecting budget needs and to maintain expenditure controls.
- Reporting - Support University monthly estimated final reporting processes, including variance analysis and preparation of supporting schedules
- Assist in preparation of annual budget session templates, financial reports and schedules for schools and colleges. Provide accurate and timely reporting on school/college initiative funding and commitments.
- Prepare and reconcile ad-hoc reports as requested for internal use. Develop, create and maintain complex spreadsheets, pivot tables and ad hoc reports.
- Support - Provide technical assistance, training, tools and support to University colleagues on the use of financial systems for budgeting and reporting.
- Maintain tools to support accurate and comprehensive financial analysis and budget status reporting. Utilize University AI resources to automate or enhance appropriate work processes.
- Respond to direct inquiries from the University community by advising and counseling regarding budgets, financial transactions and University policy and procedures and best business practices.
- Provide general administrative and analytical support to Office of Budget and Planning Assistant Vice President and Directors as needed.
- Training - Training on an as-needed basis to maintain and improve effectiveness in position.
Physical Requirements
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.