Financial Analyst

Details•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Under the general guidance of the Assistant Vice President, Academic Administration, the Financial Analyst works to provide data-driven analytics solutions and reporting for the Academic Affairs Division. The Analyst proactively analyzes the financial performance of the division and provides real-time feedback and recommendations to increase financial performance. The Analyst drafts and disseminates financial reports to internal stakeholders as well as works collaboratively with the Assistant Vice President to proactively identify financial trends and address potential issues. The Analyst regularly completes comprehensive data review to identify anomalies and trends, audits information to detect remediation needs and manages compensation-related contracts and letters as well as the associated fiscal entries into the University’s enterprise management system. The Analyst regularly collaborates with cross-functional project teams to deliver high quality information that will result in actionable business decision-making capability and will promote in-depth understanding of nuances in data. These solutions may include formatted reports, datasets, dashboards, new measures and key performance indicators, spreadsheets and other data analytics solutions as necessary to meet business needs. The Analyst will manage all information with confidentiality and proactively provide informed, creative solutions to problems. The Analyst is required to have a general working knowledge of the university and a comprehensive, on-going understanding of Academic Affairs operations.

Requirements

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university, with preference given to Business, Business Analytics, Data Analytics and/or related field of study
5 years of experience in a data research, statistical, analytical research, financial planning and analysis, or related field.
Previous experience working with financial software platforms required.
Highly proficient with Microsoft Excel. Intermediate to advanced Excel skills with function knowledge and appropriate application for functions such as: IF including multiple levels of nested logic, MIN, MAX, AVERAGE, SUM, SUMIFS, SUMPRODUCT, COUNT, COUNTIF, ROUND, etc. and skilled in using pivot tables
Learning new systems quickly and effectively
Navigating and implementing policies and procedures
Performing in a changing technological environment and being able to learn quickly and adapt and reinvent procedures according to change
Interacting with the professional community
Presenting materials
Using judgment to take appropriate action on inquiries
Entrepreneurial mindset, self-motivated, and efficient
Analytical skills and database management including the ability to translate and summarize analysis and results into understandable, actionable reports, and recommendations
Proven ability to prepare clear and meaningful analysis and communicate results in person and via materials to a variety of audiences
Quantitative skills and high writing, research, communication, and organization proficiencies.
Promoting in-depth understanding of nuances in data
Attention to detail and the ability to multitask while also working with minimal supervision
Ability to assume responsibility and effectively resolve problems by exercising independent judgment in meeting challenges and implementing procedures.
Ability to focus on technical details in an environment with many distractions
Ability to shift tasks easily
Ability to shift mental tasks from the minute and technical to interpersonal and creative at any given moment
Serving as a collaborative team member with the ability to handle confidential information with tact and discretion
Working in a busy environment with high customer service standards
Maintaining a high level of accuracy developing work products and reports
Functioning with a high degree of autonomy
Time management in order to handle multiple projects with competing deadlines
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Strong attention to detail
Working with diverse personalities and backgrounds
Being flexible and versatile in coping with evolving work situations
Ability to manage the stress of last-minute deadlines and changes

Nice To Haves

Masters degree from an accredited college or university in Business Analytics, Data Analytics or related field of study
5+ years of progressively responsible experience in a data research, statistical, analytical research, financial planning and analysis, or related field
Experience working in a higher education setting
Experience working with Oracle applications, WorkDay and GrayAssociates platforms
Proven ability to collaborate with individuals of diverse backgrounds

Responsibilities

Creates analytical reports to support leadership and key stakeholders in making data driven decisions
Reviews data sets, identifies trends and creates projections and forecasts
Assists in creating projected year-end financial reports
Works closely with internal stakeholders in order to strategically craft annual budget proformas based on data-informed scenario planning that meet operational needs and mission-driven goals.
Processes all budget appropriations and distribution of merit increases in Oracle EPM including updating institutional system records as needed
Conducts budget to actual audits to identify areas requiring remediation including but not limited to non-discretionary position-based lines, discretionary budget categories, etc.
Facilitates expenditure corrections for salary coding errors and prepares and updates budget monitoring reports.
Conducts position vacancy analysis to understand length of vacancies as they turnover and to provide more accurate year end forecast.
Audits financial and human capital data in Workday and submits corrections and changes through Workday tasks or journal entries.
Communicates research findings through memos, reports, as well as dashboards, charts, tables, other data visualization aids
Identifies new measurements and key performance indicators and regularly updates school leadership on this information
Is a lead user for the university’s program economics platform
Crafts data-informed strategic recommendations
Collects, manages and analyzes large and diverse data from multiple datasets, including internally maintained, FERPA-regulated datasets and administrative datasets. Such datasets can include but are not limited to instructional costs, departmental budgets, departmental spending, personnel distribution lists, etc.
Verifies the accuracy and completeness of data for analysis
Works with institutional stakeholders to identify and meet data-related needs
Identifies ways to improve data-related processes and practices
Maintains and reviews data within the various University enterprise systems and creates remediation plans should data discrepancies arise
Researches and disseminates monthly and quarterly financial updates and reports to internal constituents and stakeholders including departments under the Provost umbrella
Creates and regularly updates financial forecasting models to assist in financial planning activities
Provides assistance in year-end fiscal reporting by creating and issuing year-end reports to internal constituents
Analyzes and communicates budget trends, deficits, and surpluses on a timely basis and keeps the AVP apprised of significant budget issues and assists with budget changes and report creation within Workday and Oracle EPM.
Prepares and completes ad-hoc financial projects as assigned
Manages and updates all financial record keeping systems, electronic and physical
Works collaboratively with university’s central Finance team in various aspects, sharing of best practices, efficiencies and financial tools as well as data verification and reconciliation
Provides training to applicable university personnel regarding economics platforms
Reviews information with discretion and diplomacy in the strictest of confidentiality
Communicates extensively with Provost Office leadership and as needed, other campus colleagues and constituents
Other duties as assigned