Senior Analyst, Budget

University of Chicago•Hyde Park, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The job manages operating and capital budgets for divisions and/or University-wide administrative units. Helps develop long and short term financial goals, business strategies/plans, and financial forecasts/models for major service programs and initiatives. Manages quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget.

Requirements

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree in finance, public policy, not-for-profit administration, healthcare administration, or a related field strongly preferred.
Experience in a university or academic medical center strongly preferred.
Knowledge of GAAP accounting principles, restricted fund accounting, grant accounting strongly preferred.
Knowledge of financial computing and database software applications.
Knowledge of various financial principles, practices, and applications including budgeting, financial planning, financial analysis, and financial reporting.
Intellectual versatility and creativity.
Strong analytical and organizational skills, attention to detail.
Strong educational background with focus in business, economics or related technical field.
Course work in accounting and finance.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills required.
Ability to establish and maintain relationships at all organizational levels.
Flexibility and ability to work effectively and gracefully under considerable time pressure on high visibility, high stakes projects.
Ability to work non-traditional hours when necessary.

Responsibilities

Analyzes budget estimates and proposals for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives. Understands key assumptions and issues.
Consolidates individual budgets into operating and capital budget summaries which argue for or against funding requests. Submits budget summaries to management.
Communicates directly with department leadership to point out budgeting issues and propose solutions.
Monitors budget variances by reviewing reports and accounting records to determine if allocated funds have been spent, and identify underlying business drivers and potential problems.
Assists managers in analyzing the proposed plan and devising possible alternatives if the projected results are unsatisfactory.
Analyzes budget trends, communicates finding to leadership.
Maintains and tracks benchmarks and key business drivers, such as student funding sources, faculty commitments, grant funding, etc.
Prepares and deploys status reports to key users, providing meaningful information on projects, budgets and budget variances, statistics and productivity.
Prepares data requested by both internal customers (e.g. Sr. Management, Departments, University, Medical Center) and external entities (e.g. AAMC, US News and World Report, government agencies, etc.).
Provides consulting and advisory services to all levels of customers in the organization including executive and faculty leadership. Answer to inquiries by providing data analysis and relevant information, assist with financial improvement action plans, and complete various financial analysis projects as needed.
Recommends changes to systems and procedures to ensure conformance with budgetary provisions.
Provides professional and timely support for budgetary and financial matters as a primary contact for the assigned departments, units, and account owners to exceed their expectation.
Prepares budgets, monitors financial activities, analyzes variance and financial performance, and recommends action items to change the course of event if necessary.
Prepares monthly reports, corrects errors using existing procedures, and provides advice on the financial impact of human resources and academic affairs decisions.
May work with other administrators on the procurement process, allocates expenditures for authorization, and advises in communications regarding funding agencies, subcontractors, and others at the instruction and direction of others.
Works independently to maintain and support the planning and execution of financial strategy.
Uses best practices and in-depth financial knowledge to assist in the preparation of annual budgets.
Works with minimal guidance to provide analytical support for complex budget projects.
Examines past budgets and researches economic and financial developments that affect spending.
Reviews estimated expenditures.
Develops expenditure projections and periodic budget variance reports.
Prepares forecasts as well as analyses.
Acts as a resource for team members, solves complex problems.
Explains complex and sensitive information.
Performs other related work as needed.