Athletics Financial Operations Analyst

California State University, Bakersfield•Bakersfield, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Director of Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting Services, Athletics, Student Affairs & SEM, the Athletics Financial Operations Analyst provides professional budget and accounting support as it relates to the day-to-day financial and business matters within the athletics department. Duties support optimal resource allocation and strategic decision-making. The Analyst performs a wide range of fiscal and administrative duties, including reconciliation of accounts, monitoring budgets and expenditures, reviewing and processing financial transactions, and ensuring compliance with applicable CSU, campus, NCAA, and Big West policies and regulations. The position administers and coordinates the Athletics ProCard process, assists with accounts payable activities, and provides analytical and reporting support to maintain accurate and timely financial information. Working collaboratively with Athletics staff and other university departments, the Analyst contributes to effective fiscal operations and process improvements within established procedures. The position serves as a knowledgeable resource to departmental staff and management and supports the efficient use of financial resources that sustain the University’s Division I Athletics program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent training and three (3) years of recent administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs.
Work experience should demonstrate complex budget analyst competency.
Regular and reliable attendance is required.
Working knowledge of relevant financial regulations and compliance requirements.
Working knowledge of financial, budgetary, and accounting principles and practices.
Thorough knowledge of business operations and the applicable policies and procedures that govern business practices.
Knowledge of query tools, integrated financial systems, and/or other types of record management systems.
Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the financial structure and financial procedures of the CSU.
Ability to independently analyze and review budgets and financial practices of the campus, communicate clearly and present budget information in a clear, concise, and professional manner, analyze situations accurately, and develop effective courses of action.
Demonstrated ability to independently handle multiple work unit priorities and projects, determine the relative importance of each, set respective deadlines, and complete all projects accordingly.
Ability to draft and compose professional correspondence and detailed reports.
Ability to prepare budget projections, perform standard business math, such as calculate ratios and percentages, track financial data, and make simple projections.
Ability to clearly explain a variety of information, procedures and policies to faculty, staff, students, and others.
Ability to work accurately amid distractions and interruptions; work daily in a collaborative environment that is student centered, student focused, and student driven.
Ability to keep precise and detailed records, research and gather data for projects and reports; suggest solutions to procedural problems.
Bookkeeping knowledge, including maintaining and reconciling accounts/budgets according to prescribed procedures.
Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and those from various cultural backgrounds.
Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
Must be able to work occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs.
May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

Nice To Haves

Experience with PeopleSoft.
Experience in an accounting environment.
Experience coordinating financial transactions and budgets for Intercollegiate Athletics departments.
Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary liaison for the accounting, budget management and variance analysis for Athletics, requiring research, interpretation and use of NCAA rules and regulations and CSU policies.
Ensure all departmental transactions/expenses are processed and recorded properly, adhering to campus policies and procedures.
Ensure financial transactions follow NCAA, Big West, and University rules and regulations.
Stay updated on changes in financial transaction regulations and assist with implementing necessary adjustments in processes.
Independently analyze and reconcile sub-ledgers reports, and financial records in a timely manner, referring more complex or unusual issues to the Director.
Recommend and prepare adjustments, billing requests, journal entries (expenditure transfers), and financial reports.
Analyze transactions for correct coding and assignment of revenues and expenditures.
Make recommendations on corrective actions to be taken on any noted errors.
Assist with Athletics expense tracking, ensuring all expenditures are recorded accurately and within budget constraints.
Assist with completing schedules for various funds and accounts for month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
Prepare fluctuation analysis (actuals vs prior year, actuals vs budget, actual vs projections) and provide analytical data and summaries to management to inform departmental decisions.
Collaborate with other university accounting and reporting team members to ensure appropriate internal controls and to provide accurate and timely reporting.
Assist with the annual year-end close process by preparing necessary documentation, reconciling accounts, and contributing to the financial review and audit process, EADA reporting and NCAA agreed-up procedures.
Assist with evaluating and recommending updates to departmental procedures.
Guide staff on financial issues or concerns and communicate best practices for the department based on established campus/CSU standards.
Assist with departmental billing (billing requests, direct pays, requisitions, petty cash, expenditures transfers, etc.).
Regularly monitor all AR for accuracy and timely receipt and processing.
Deposit revenue on behalf of the department, providing required information for cash, check, and electronic payments following campus procedures.
Provide accurate and timely reporting and documentation for all deposits.
Assist with monitoring, analyzing, and processing procurement, requisition and purchase order requests, as applicable.
Regularly review accounts payable for the department.
Act as a liaison between payment services and Athletics staff to ensure timely and accurate travel claim processing as well as general payment processing for vendors and services providers.
Administer the athletics department ProCard program including the issuance and cancellation of cards, transaction review for compliance, and monthly reconciliation.
Maintain and monitor all ProCard account reconciliation and adjustments for department.
Frequently provide timely and accurate information in response to customer inquiries and reporting that evidences a thorough understanding compliance and policy.