Student Affairs & Strategic Enrollment Management Budget Analyst

CSU Careers•Bakersfield, CA

9h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management (VP SASEM), and in coordination with the Director of Budgeting, Accounting & Reporting Services, Athletics, Student Affairs & SEM, the Student Affairs & Strategic Enrollment Management Budget Analyst serves as the lead financial and administrative analyst for the Division of Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management (SASEM). The incumbent provides strategic guidance in divisional budget planning, financial forecasting, and resource allocation to support organizational priorities and student success initiatives. The position is responsible for the analysis, development, and evaluation of complex financial models, budget strategies, and administrative processes with broad divisional impact. The incumbent independently assesses financial risks, develops recommendations that influence executive decision-making, and ensures alignment of financial practices with campus, CSU, and regulatory requirements. In addition, the SASEM Budget Analyst serves as a key advisor to divisional leadership in contributing to the development of financial planning efforts and budgetary policies and procedures and coordinating across departments to implement effective, sustainable fiscal strategies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent training and four (4) years of recent (within 3 years) administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs.
Work experience should demonstrate complex budget analyst competency.
Regular and reliable attendance is required.
Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply extensive expertise to complex programs and/or administrative specialties, including pertinent laws and regulations.
Demonstrated expertise in and advanced knowledge of the principles, problems, and methods of public and business administration and operational and fiscal management.
Expertise in administrative survey techniques, operations and systems analysis, statistical and research methods, and the ability to interpret and evaluate results to develop sound conclusions and recommend new or revised policies.
Ability to understand problems from a broad, interactive perspective and discern applicable underlying principles to conceive of and develop strategic solutions.
Ability to work with representatives from public and private entities and handle potentially sensitive situations.
Demonstrated consultative skills in working with internal and external constituent groups.
Ability to effectively present ideas and concepts in written or presentation format and use consultative and facilitation skills to gain consensus.
Ability to analyze and forecast budgets, interpret financial data, and develop meaningful financial reports using campus systems and tools (e.g., CFS/Data Warehouse, Excel).
Knowledge of public sector budget practices is essential.
Thorough understanding of CSU financial guidelines, fund management protocols, and state reporting requirements to ensure compliance and support accurate planning and decision-making.
Capability to independently research complex issues, interpret policies, assess impacts, and recommend appropriate solutions, especially under tight deadlines or changing priorities.
Advanced working knowledge of systems such as PeopleSoft/Oracle (CFS), Concur, and CHRS for budgeting, purchasing, travel, and personnel actions.
Skilled in independently managing multiple projects, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of deliverables in a dynamic environment.
Ability to mentor or train administrative support and departmental staff on budgeting procedures, financial systems usage, and policy interpretation to ensure consistent practices across the division.
Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or related field.
Experience supporting budget functions in a CSU or higher education setting.
Familiar with auxiliary and grant accounting in a university environment.
Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

Responsibilities

Serve as a key advisor to the strategic development, coordination, and implementation of the annual divisional budget, in collaboration with the Director of Budgeting, Accounting & Reporting Services, Athletics, Student Affairs & SEM and campus Budget Office.
Independently perform complex financial analysis, research, forecasting and budget development, including coordination and communication with departments and leadership within the Division, to develop recommendations that inform executive-level decisions on resource allocation and program funding.
Evaluate the financial impact of proposed initiatives, organizational changes, and policy decisions, and present recommendations to divisional leadership.
Establish and implement budget monitoring frameworks to proactively identify risks, variances, and emerging financial issues, and develop corrective strategies.
Independently prepare financial reports using CFS and Data Warehouse.
Ensure compliance with CSU, campus, and state regulations while interpreting policies and determining appropriate application in complex or ambiguous situations related to financial transactions.
Respond to internal requests for budget information and ensure timely submission of required reports.
Serve as a resource for division staff providing consultative guidance on budgetary processes and procedures.
Facilitate and assist with administrative planning, Human Resources related tasks, and allocation and coordination of budgetary and physical resources.
Contribute to the development of SASEM budgetary operating procedures and budget reports to enhance transparency, consistency, and effectiveness.
Oversee and approve complex financial transactions, including interdepartmental and interdivisional funding allocations.
Interpret and follow guidelines for service contracts involving revenue.
Track and reconcile funds received and work with contracted areas to resolve any discrepancies.
Complete special projects related to budget development, administration, and analysis as requested by the VP or Director of Accounting.
Contribute to the strategic planning and goals for current and future projects, programs, and departments by reviewing and forecasting budgets for the upcoming semesters and year to align with objectives.
Analyze and evaluate budget activities related to grant-funded programs within SASEM, in coordination with the Director of Accounting & Reporting Services, Post Award, to optimize resource utilization and compliance with sponsor requirements.
Track revenues and expenditures for select grant programs by collecting data and reconciling reports with the university accounting system.
Serve as a liaison with relevant program managers to collaborate and gather expenditure documentation, ensuring compliance with grant guidelines.
Maintain awareness of deadlines and requirements for grant reporting and financial submissions.
Monitor and evaluate divisional position control and workforce financial planning, including analysis of staffing models and long-term personnel cost projections.
Evaluate the financial impact of organizational and staffing changes and provide strategic recommendations to leadership.
Serve on relevant search committees and provide administrative coordination as requested.
Provide lead direction, training, and consultation to departmental budget personnel on financial planning, compliance, and systems utilization.
Assist with the onboarding of new budget personnel within SASEM by providing templates, procedural guides, and overview training.
Support department users with understanding and use of financial systems including PeopleSoft/CFS, Concur, and CHRS.
Participate in the implementation of divisional budget-related policies and support compliance by communicating changes and updates to affected staff as needed.
Identify systemic issues and inefficiencies in financial and administrative operations and design innovative solutions with broad organizational impact in collaboration with the Director of Accounting.
Represent SASEM on committees (e.g., Student Affairs Budget Analyst Group, Strategic Planning support groups) and initiatives related to budget, finance, and administrative operations, providing analytical and administrative support.
Prepare materials and data for strategic planning sessions and annual reports.