Financial Analyst

Department

Compensation

Job Function

Budget

• Assist in the coordination, development, implementation, administration and reporting of the university’s operating and capital outlay budgets.

• Provide budgetary leadership, direction, and oversight to departmental leaders of units across the university.

• Create and input budget amendments and project budget amendments throughout the fiscal year; providing reconciliation to ensure balance between the Operating and Project Budget Structures
• Process approved budget amendment requests that come in from campus departments.

• Assist Campus constituents with budgetary questions and offer guidance on how to utilize budgetary tools and reports.

• Assist in the coordination of the development, implementation, and administration of the University's operating budgets.

• Assist with the monitoring, auditing, and maintenance of operating budgets for university funds.

Auxiliary Budget Oversight

• Prepare and format initial budget and mid-year auxiliary budget packets for Auxiliary Budget Oversight (ABO) routing and review.

• Review for accuracy and reach out to department and divisional contacts if more information is needed.

• Complete necessary budget amendments to fulfill ABO requests.

• Serve as part of the review team for Auxiliary Budget Oversight original annual budgets and mid-year budget amendment requests.

Campus

• Serve as the first point of contact for planning and budget related inquiries from the campus community.

• Interacts with all divisional, college, and unit budget managers and other administrative and support personnel of the institution on budgetary and planning issues proactively to ensure adherence to University and State rules and regulations.

• Research and resolve complex queries from campus.

• Assist campus end users with budgetary and financial systems questions.

• Serve as a contact for campus constituents with budgetary questions and offer guidance on how to utilize budgetary tools and reports.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for budget check overrides.

• Act as a subject matter expert for the University as it relates to budget and budgeted position management.

• Meet with departmental staff as needed to review budgets and budgetary procedures.

Process Improvement

• Resolve problems in the areas of budgets, planning, financial analysis, reporting, and information systems and recommends changes to address needs and provide better and more efficient service.

• Analyze and review budget amendment requests that come in from campus departments.

• If the amendment is allowable and accurate, approve the budget amendment.

• Ensure backup documentation for all budget amendments is attached to budget amendment requests.

Reporting

• Provide data for studies and comprehensive analysis related to financial and position trends and various other reports for University Planning and Budget.

• Transform raw data to prepared datasets for analysis and reporting.

• Write queries and reports in response to internal and external data requests with accuracy and efficiency.

• Develop and maintain regularly scheduled (monthly, quarterly, bi-annually) analytical, financial, budgetary, and position reports.

• Create and update reports to keep the university administrators informed and help ensure the university is meeting goals relevant to the university’s strategic plan, Florida Board of Governors metrics and performance funding models.

• Assist the Assistant Director in the preparation of other special expenditures and financial analyses that may be required by the university divisions, State Legislature, BOG and other external agencies.

• Build and maintain budgetary, financial and position related ERP reports and queries for campus-wide usage.

• Identify methods for reporting and process automation that create efficiencies while maintaining data integrity.

• Aid the Assistant Director with building and maintaining financial data tables, reporting views and exception reports within the Data Warehouse (EDW) for accurate and timely financial reporting.

• Develop, maintain, and test internal and external interactive data visualizations to tell a compelling visual story for decision making.

• Improve existing reports/dashboards and maintain accuracy against changes in business processes.

• Assist departments across campus with financial reporting, data visualizations, and business process improvement.

• Assist in the preparation of monthly reports and analyzes performance against objectives for university-wide funding sources.

• Construct effective data displays, including graphs, to communicate key points for succinct and meaningful consumption.

• Analyze, reconcile, and oversee monthly, quarterly and budgetary reports related to E&G and auxiliary funding sources.

Strategic

• Aid in the creation and implementation of strategies and procedures to fulfill departmental metrics and goals.

• Works collaboratively with the University Planning & Budget team to ensure accurate planning and budgetary management that are necessary to meet the goals and objectives of the institution.

Technology

• Assist in the planning, designing, and coordination of various technology tools related to budgetary and fiscal processes.

• Cultivate long-term strategic goals for business intelligence (BI) development and financial reporting in conjunction with university-wide administrators, end users, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.

• Assist in the implementation of new technologies/systems that aid in success of the budget and planning processes.

• Collaborate with ITS staff to ensure that budgetary information systems meet the university community’s needs.

• Respond to university community needs by providing new or improving existing information processes and budgetary tools.

• Perform regular audits of data to ensure budgetary data is accurate and that reports and processes are in place to validate the data.

• Assist the Assistant Director to identify any areas of perceived weakness in the areas of reporting, budget, finance, position control and data processes.

• Provide technical and liaison support to the campus community for systematic budgetary controls, reports and dashboards.

• Conduct system testing related to upgrades and implementations of Workday systems and other ancillary systems.

Training

• Assist in the creation of new training manuals, materials, and video walkthroughs for guiding employees on budgetary tasks and queries, ranging from simple to complex solutions and explanations.

• Assist in the preparation & delivery of university-wide workshops and training programs.

• Prepare and present meeting materials as needed, ranging from staff meetings to presentations, for the entire campus community or University Leadership.

• Provide training and resources to the campus community on how to query and view budgetary information.

Relations

• The job functions require frequent interaction with Departmental Directors/Chairs, the Controller’s Office, Human Resources, ITS, Divisional Budget Officers, and Departmental Budget Managers.

• This position must have a proactive approach to managing relationships across all levels of the institution in order to achieve strategic planning and university budgetary goals.

• This position is required to work collaboratively with university staff to ensure program’s success.

• Assist on special projects as needed.

• May interpret departmental policies for area of responsibility.

• During declared campus emergencies, this position may be required to perform specific job-related duties at a designated off campus location or place of residence.

Marginal Functions

• This position plays an integral role in ERP and ancillary system upgrades and program enhancements by performing critical testing and collaborating with ITS, HR and the Controller's Office.

• May represent the Assistant Director on university wide committees and working groups.

• This position is expected to acquire knowledge and skills which enable the employee to address broad functions of the University's budgetary operations.

• Create, maintain, prepare, and disseminate budgetary training presentations, materials, and handouts for university training classes, workshops, and other events as needed.

Departmental Requirements

• Ability to make data informed decisions based on independent research and sound business judgement.

• Ability to see the big picture while being attentive to details.

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with and between all constituents across the university community.

• Demonstrate an ability to work under pressure and employ good problem-solving techniques in order to deal effectively and diplomatically with others.

• Ability to work in a team environment is essential.

• Strong analytical and computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and report-writing software.

• Experience working with large, complex datasets essential.

• Previous experience with data analytics is preferred.

• Experience with Workday or similar ERP system is preferred.

• Knowledge of higher education financial structures, business practices, and budgetary reporting is preferred.

• Experience using technology tools and resources in the areas of budget, finance, payroll and/or human resources is preferred.

• Knowledge of or exposure to SQL and relational databases would be beneficial to this position.

• Must possess and ability to maintain confidentiality, particularly with regard to personnel and financial information.

• Knowledge and skills that allow for ability to address broad functions of the budget operations

Supervision Exercised:

None

Supervision Received

• This position is supervised by and reports to the Assistant Director of Planning & Reporting.
• This position is expected to acquire knowledge and skills which enable the employee to address broad functions of the University’s budgetary operations.
• This position will require minimal supervision by the Assistant Director of Planning & Reporting and is expected to exercise independent judgment and discretion

Level of Public Contact

• This position works closely with AVPs Deans, Directors, Divisional Budget Officers, and budget administrators of the university for the budget activities, planning, systems development, and reporting.

• This position will occasionally interact with VP and BOG staff.

Monetary Responsibility

• While this position will not physically handle funds, the fiscal oversight and responsibility for accurately advising the campus community of budgetary and planning regulations and processes cannot be overstated.

• Prepares strategic analysis and forecasts to senior management, University Board of Trustees and BOG. Any errors can have both short-term and long-term implications for the university.

• Responsible for the proper reporting of financial and other relevant data. Any degree in error can result in severe campus wide consequences.

• Responsible for completing budget transfers and assists in creating new Foundation Data Model (FDM) elements for university departments.

Policymaking and/or Interpretation

• Interpret established University Board of Trustees, State Board of Governors policies, Florida Statutes and federal regulations as required.

• Assists with divisional and departmental goals and objectives by providing relevant usable data and reports that help ensure university and divisional goals are met.

Program Direction and Development

• Assists with the formulation and recommendation of policies and procedures to effectively manage the operating budget.

• Disseminates budget information and interprets university and state regulations.

• Meets with departmental staff as needed to review budgets and budgetary procedures.

Statement of Responsibility for Confidential Data

This position will have access to confidential budgetary and personnel data which should not be released except to appropriate sources at specified times. Maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of this information is paramount, and any inaccuracies or lapse in judgment could cause a misinterpretation by faculty, staff, students, and/or the media.

Integrity, fairness and diplomacy are major factors in the successful performance of the duties and responsibilities of the University Planning and Budget staff.

Required Qualifications:

This position requires either (a) Master’s degree from an acceptable accredited institution in a directly related area of specialization; (b) Bachelor’s degree from an acceptable accredited institution in a directly related area of specialization and two years of experience directly related to the job functions; or (c ) 6 years of direct experience.

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.

The holder of this position is designated as a “Responsible Employee” pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University’s Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator

Equal Opportunity

The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Carnegie

UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University’s collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF’s mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.