Analyst, Budget

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

26d•$60,000 - $90,000

About The Position

The Analyst, Budget is a member of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD) Budget team within Financial Planning & Analysis. With oversight, the role contributes to developing long- and short-term financial goals, business strategies and plans, financial models for initiatives, budget development and monitoring, and internal reporting. The analyst uses moderate finance knowledge to help coordinate quarterly and year-end operating budget reporting and enters data to ensure dedicated faculty funds are correct and ready for use. The role supports designated funds, budgets, quarterly reports, monthly forecasts, surveys, data integrity, and role assignment management. It provides budgetary and financial support to assigned departments, units, and account owners, and consulting and advisory services to organizational customers, including executive and faculty leadership. The position is based in an office environment, with occasional non-traditional hours.

Requirements

A college or university degree in a related field.
Two to five years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Knowledge of financial computing and database software applications.
Knowledge of financial principles, practices, and applications, including budgeting, financial planning, financial analysis, and financial reporting.
Strong analytical and organizational skills and attention to detail.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain relationships at all organizational levels.
Flexibility and ability to work effectively under considerable time pressure on high-visibility, high-stakes projects.
Ability to learn concepts and tools independently through problem solving.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or equivalent.
Strong educational background focused on business, economics, or a related technical field; accounting and finance coursework.
Two to five years of accounting, finance, or equivalent experience.
Experience working in a university setting.
Financial modeling experience.
Oracle experience.
Intellectual versatility and creativity.

Responsibilities

Perform work across designated funds, budgets, quarterly reports, monthly forecasts, surveys, data integrity, and role assignment management.
Analyze budget estimates and proposals for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives; understand key assumptions and issues.
Consolidate individual budgets into operating and capital budget summaries, explain the rationale for or against funding requests, and submit summaries to management.
Monitor budget variances by reviewing reports and accounting records, determining whether allocated funds have been spent, and identifying business drivers and potential problems.
Assist managers in analyzing proposed plans and developing alternatives when projected results are unsatisfactory.
Maintain and track benchmarks and key business drivers, including funding sources, faculty commitments, and grant funding.
Prepare and deploy status reports for key users with information on projects, budgets, variances, statistics, and productivity.
Prepare data requested by internal customers and stakeholders across the enterprise and by external partners.
Provide consulting and advisory services to customers at all organizational levels, respond to inquiries with data analysis and relevant information, assist with financial improvement action plans, and complete financial analysis projects as needed.
Recommend changes to systems and procedures to ensure compliance with budgetary provisions.
Provide timely budgetary and financial support as a primary contact for assigned departments, units, and account owners.
Prepare budgets and datasets, monitor financial activities, analyze variances and financial performance, and recommend action items when necessary.
Analyze and prepare budgets, create accounts, and use the financial accounting system to allocate, authorize, monitor, and control expenses.
Prepare monthly reports, correct account errors using established procedures, and advise on the financial impact of human resources and academic affairs decisions.
Perform other related work as needed.