Financial Analyst

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

12d

About The Position

The Financial Analyst provides hands-on financial analysis and operational support across budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and compliance activities in support of SEI’s research and operational portfolio. Reporting to the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, this role supports accurate financial execution and informed decision-making in a federally funded research environment. Responsibilities span core financial analysis as well as effort and labor operations, with workload balanced across these areas based on business needs. The role is designed to build strong foundational skills in financial analysis, compliance, and systems within a federally funded research environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 1-3 years of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, or related roles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with enterprise financial systems.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and integrity.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across technical and administrative teams.
• Analytical thinker who can balance detailed, day-to-day execution with an understanding of broader financial objectives.
• Adaptable and resilient in a mission-driven, compliance-oriented environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a research, nonprofit, higher education, government, or similarly regulated environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Financial Analysis and Reporting Prepare and analyze financial reports, including budgets, forecasts, variance analyses, and trend reporting. Monitor financial performance against plans and funding constraints and provide interpretive insights. Develop financial summaries and analyses to support leadership decision-making.
• Budgeting and Forecasting Support annual budgeting and forecasting activities, including compiling inputs and validating assumptions. Support forecasting and scenario analysis to inform planning and resource decisions.
• Effort, Labor & Timekeeping Support effort reporting and labor cost accuracy, including reconciliation of labor charges and processing of related journal entries. Monitor bi-weekly time entry and approval for hourly staff and follow up as needed. Coordinate with systems and finance partners to resolve effort or timekeeping issues.
• Compliance & Financial Stewardship Ensure financial activities comply with Uniform Guidance, FAR, CAS, and SEI/CMU policies. Maintain documentation and support audit and compliance activities.
• Collaboration & Process Improvement Collaborate with finance, systems, HR, and program staff to ensure accurate and consistent financial information. Identify opportunities to improve financial and effort-related processes and reporting.
• Additional Financial Support Support personnel-related financial activities, including PTO reconciliation for separating staff and review of relocation-related transactions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees