Fiscal Analyst

Ball State University•Muncie, IN

2d•$70,000 - $77,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Fiscal Performance Analyst supports the oversight of Ball State University’s authorized charter schools by monitoring and analyzing financial performance, reviewing audits and budgets, and assessing fiscal stability. This role works closely with school leaders, boards, and auditors to ensure compliance with financial performance standards while providing data-driven insights to support key authorizing decisions. The position also contributes to financial reporting, dashboard development, and training to strengthen financial practices across the portfolio. This position is remote within Indiana or within reasonable proximity to Indiana. The role requires regular in-state travel to schools and periodic presence on campus; therefore, candidates must be able to travel statewide and maintain accessibility for in-person responsibilities. Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration with a concentration in accounting or finance, public finance, or a closely related financial field from an accredited institution.
At least three years of professional experience in education finance, public-sector finance, accounting, auditing, budgeting, or financial management, including experience reviewing and interpreting financial statements, budgets, and/or audit reports.
Highly organized; strong problem solving and public relations skills.
Effective oral and written communication skills; knowledge of public school finance.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel and the use of spreadsheets for financial analysis, budgeting, and financial reporting.
Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and be insurable under the university’s auto fleet policy; ability to provide own transportation.
Current authorization to be employed in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related financial field.
Professional experience in K–12 education finance, charter school finance, governmental accounting, or public-sector financial management.
Demonstrated experience reviewing and interpreting financial statements, budgets, independent audit reports, and audit findings.
Experience assessing organizational fiscal health, financial risk, cash flow, debt obligations, and long-term financial sustainability.
Experience working with auditors, CFOs/business officials, governing boards, and executive leadership and communicating complex financial information to non-financial audiences.
CPA, CGFM, CPFO, or other relevant accounting, governmental finance, or public-sector financial management credential preferred.
Training in governmental accounting, school finance, auditing, internal controls, or fraud prevention preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitor the finances of BSU’s charter schools including analyzing all of the monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements submitted by all university authorized charter schools; assessing enrollment numbers to determine whether charter schools are maintaining the appropriate enrollment to remain financial stable; and monitoring the ratio of “soft funds” upon which the charter schools are relying in order to meeting their expenditures.
Under the leadership and direction of the Executive Director of the OCS, attend assigned schools by visiting them regularly, developing relationships with faculty and staff, and being responsive to requests within the appropriate parameters of the charter school authorizer agreement.
Attend budget board meetings (including all board meetings of assigned schools) to analyze financial planning performance against the OCS Financial Performance Framework and recommend interventions and oversight to the Executive Director of OCS.
Serve as primary financial liaison for auditors, School Board Members, CEOs and CFOs within BSU sponsored Charter Schools to ensure understanding of their financial position. Ensures compliance with university financial performance frameworks. Provides direction and oversight for reporting on financial performance frameworks and reporting.
Provide continual analyses of Ball State authorized charter schools’ fiscal stability. Reviews budgets, enrollment numbers, financial statements, and other supporting documents provided by charter schools to determine the fiscal stability throughout the contract term. This data is used for renewal decisions as well as for annual fiscal monitoring for each charter school and may be used in conjunction with amendment decisions, i.e., if a school wishes to expand or borrow money to build a new facility.
Develop, implement and maintain a fiscal dashboard to monitor and analyze the financial stability of Ball State authorized charter schools pursuant to the financial performance indicators in the Financial Performance Framework the terms of their charter agreements. Works with auditors, School Board Members, CEOs and CFOs within BSU sponsored Charter Schools to ensure understanding of the financial performance framework and dashboard and providing training associated therewith to Ball State authorized charter schools’ administrators and budget directors.
Collect and present qualitative and quantitative data related to the financial framework for annual performance reviews with each school's Board, as well as reviews specific to schools under renewal.
Participate in audit close-out meetings and conduct audit follow-up, including review of audit findings issued by the SBOA or independent auditor(s), and monitor resolution plans.
Develop, refine, and disseminate budget templates to Board Members, CEOs and CFOs within BSU sponsored Charter Schools to obtain monthly, quarterly and annual financial data to assess and analyze the financial stability of the charter schools, verify accuracy of data provided for use in the OCS Annual Report and submission of various IDOE reports.
Evaluate applications for new charter schools, including review of proposed budget and financial planning, school goals and objectives, and analyze the school/community need in the proposed location; make recommendation for approval or denial of applications.
Provide recommendations to Executive Director and OCS staff related to renewals, the intervention process, revocation, and contract amendments.
Prepare and update the Ball State University Office of Charter School budget and budget forecast.
Review, analyze, and update OCS financial reporting requirements for Ball State’s charter schools as required by State statute and IDOE reporting requirements to ensure the required financial data is being obtained to determine the financial stability of Ball State authorized charter schools.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Indiana school finance policy, including ADM counts, complexity index, grant funding streams (e.g., CSP, Federal funding), and fiscal implications of legislation.
Collaborate with OCS staff on the production of OCS statutorily required annual Charter School Accountability Report by to providing all revenue generated and expenditures incurred by OCS annually. Produce and decimate a diagnostic report assessing fiscal indicators and audit findings for each school on an annual basis.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Paid 24 vacation days
12 sick days
10 holidays a year
Paid parental leave (6 weeks)
Affordable health and dental insurance
Robust long-term disability and life insurance plans
Range of retirement benefits
90 percent of child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State
100 percent of tuition costs for you to earn your undergraduate degree
80 percent of your graduate tuition