Business Analyst

Mercer University • Macon, GA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Mercer University is seeking a Business Analyst to identify challenges and recommend solutions that improve processes, systems, and financial outcomes. This role works closely with both technical and business teams, making it ideal for someone who enjoys collaboration and clear communication. The Business Analyst serves as a key liaison between business teams, application vendors, and IT to support and enhance the University’s financial systems. This position focuses heavily on Workday Financials and related integrations, ensuring effective system functionality, accurate data flow, and well-managed business processes that support the University’s financial operations and mission.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Computer Science, Business Management, or a related field from an accredited college or university and five or more years of progressively responsible, directly related experience are required.
• Candidates must have strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent written, oral, instructional, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated intermediate Microsoft Office skills.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, month-end close processes, journal entries, budget amendments, and procurement workflows.
• Familiarity with integration tools and processes (e.g., Adaptive Solutions), data structures, and troubleshooting techniques.
• Understanding of workflow design, automation opportunities, and best practices for efficiency.
• Knowledge of role-based access controls, annual audit processes, and documentation standards.
• Ability to configure software settings, manage role access, and develop custom reports using Workday Report Writer.
• Skilled in diagnosing system issues, evaluating cause/effect relationships, and proposing alternative solutions with pros/cons analysis.
• Ability to clearly translate technical concepts into business terms and produce accurate documentation for processes and resolutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with Finance, IT, vendors, and end users to align technology with business needs.
• Ability to assist with software installations, enhancement testing, and manage timelines for bi-annual Workday updates.
• Ability to bridge gaps between Finance, IT, and vendors, influencing outcomes and ensuring alignment of business requirements with system capabilities.
• Ability to initiate and manage complex workflows such as the 15-step month-end close process, ensuring continuity across Finance departments.
• Ability to quickly learn new Workday features, attend training, and apply knowledge to evolving business needs.
• Ability to leverage data analytics for management reporting and operational decision-making.
• Ability to identify inefficiencies, recommend enhancements, and support initiatives for automation and system optimization.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Workday is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Act as a liaison between business teams, consultants and IT for system integrations, enhancements, and issue resolution.
• Assist with bi-annual Workday software updates and testing.
• Utilize data analytics and daily system monitoring to review integrations, identify issues, and collaborate with IT to troubleshoot and resolve problems.
• Identify opportunities for system optimization and enhancements; collaborate with vendors and staff to implement effective solutions.
• Assist with gathering and validating business requirements and participate in system design sessions for new platforms and applications.
• Research system and process issues and provide solution options, including alternative solutions when system limitations exist.
• Analyze cause-and-effect relationships of business problems, evaluate options, and recommend solutions, including documentation of pros, cons, risks, benefits, costs, and unintended consequences.
• Support Accounting and Accounts Payable functions, including: Preparing budget amendments Approving expense reports Processing journal entries Providing backup support to the Accounts Payable office
• Provide guidance on Workday processes, which are highly timing-dependent, including: Opening and closing accounting periods Managing fiscal year-end activities prior to June 30 Coordinating communication between end users, Accounts Payable, and Purchasing
• Initiate and manage the month-end close process, including a 15-step workflow that coordinates the sequence of activities across Finance departments.
• Analyze and determine the most effective order of close activities and ensure continuity and communication throughout the process.
• Provide follow-through and oversight to ensure timely and accurate close of financial periods.
• Document, maintain, and audit Workday roles and access, including annual access reviews.
• Ensure role assignments align with system design and security standards
• Work directly with end users to troubleshoot business process issues.
• Clearly communicate technical concepts in business terms and provide clear documentation related to Finance applications, interfaces, data structures, and workflows.
• Participate actively in cross-functional teams and meetings to advance business processes and quality outcomes.

Benefits

• Mercer University offers a variety of benefits for eligible employees including comprehensive health insurance (for self and dependents), generous retirement contributions, tuition waivers, paid vacation and sick leave, technology discounts, schedules that allow for work-life balance, and so much more!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees