Position Overview

This position will be responsible for working directly with Chairs and unit Directors as well as the SSC Finance Manager to perform a fiscal analysis, accounting and budgeting of business activities for assigned units with an emphasis on excellent customer service. This position will utilize fundamental accounting skills to perform financial reporting in order for leaders to forecast, budget, monitor, and account for various funding sources across multiple project plans.

The SSC Financial Analyst will provide timely and professional services that support or enhance the instructional, research and service goals of the units served. This position will report to a SSC Finance Manager and will also have direct oversight in regards to the budgeting/reporting needs of the unit by other SSC Finance managers as needed. This individual will be expected to maintain successful relationships and frequent communication with unit/department chairs and directors from academic or research units who receive service from the SSC. In addition, the SSC Financial Analyst will handle complex financial data analysis and situations where guidelines may be broadly defined or technical, requiring careful analysis and interpretation of federal, State and University rules, regulations and policies.

Job Description

65%: Responsible for initiating, administering, conducting all analysis and reporting on fiscal operations for the assigned unit's clients including, but not limited to:

• Directs and participates in day-to-day fiscal operations such as cost accounting, revenue analysis or other specialized activities ensuring compliance with established University, Endowment and KUCR accounting principles, policies and objectives in line with the objectives of unit leaders.
• Informs and assists the Director/Chair with operational needs and related budgetary impact, including managing the BudCast operating plan by entering forecasts to provide accurate projection reporting.
• Assists units/departments in the development and management of annual operating and project budgets. Responsible for conducting variance analysis, tracking account balance by fund type and business purpose to determine strategic plans for utilization of accounts to meet department goals using the All Funds budget concept. Creates trend reports for budget to actual analysis review throughout the year.
• Monitors accounts receivable, revenues and expenses and compares balances to the annual budget. Tracks encumbrances and builds into expense projections and reporting.
• Responsible for ensuring regular billing and invoicing of accounts receivables has been addressed by SSC Accounting team.
• Monitors salary lines for regular and temporary employees; completes projection analysis regarding budget vs. expenditures for supervisor and/or Director/Chair; makes suggestions on reallocation of available shrinkage dollars.
• Provides non-standard reports and statements such as cash forecasts reflecting the interrelation of accounting, cost budgeting, program costs or comparable information; identifies trends or deviation from standards; evaluates and predicts the effects of changes on operational programs/systems; identifies management needs and refines account structure or reports accordingly.
• Gathers data for and prepares budgetary, statistical, reconciliation and other requested reports for departmental leadership, SSC Finance Manager, and CLAS/School lead Budget position
• Develops and implements systems for data collection. Analyzes data and prepares reports, charts and graphs.
• Assists in rate structure development and renewal upon request.
• Escalates questions as appropriate to the SSC Finance Manager.

20%: Responsible for ensuring and monitoring of funding for finance related transactions:

• Works with SSC Accountants and Accounting Specialist to ensure understanding of a funding strategy for the unit.
• Provides guidance and interpretation of established University, Endowment and KUCR accounting principles, policies and objectives to SSC Accounting Specialists as necessary. Assists SSC Accounting Specialist with questions related to funding of specific purchases and ensure purchases follow University, KUCR and Endowment guidelines and regulations, including documentation.
• Responsible for monitoring staff activities and assist staff in workload prioritization, and may supervise staff and be responsible performance management, development, leave approvals etc.
• Provides backup for SSC Accountant/Accounting Specialist as needed.

10%: Responsible for purchasing, processing and documenting transactions according to University, KUCR and Endowment guidelines and regulations:

• Processes payments through financial systems and determines appropriate account and funding for payment.
• Develops unit processes to ensure that appropriate funding sources are used and that resources are available for purchases; audits and reviews unit/department procurement card purchases to ensure procedures for compliance with University, Endowment and KUCR accounting systems are followed.
• Manages travel arrangements and reimbursements; reviews all travel requests to ensure that expenditures and reimbursements are in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations; processes payments and reimbursements as appropriate.
• Independently resolves problems related to billing errors, non-receipt of invoices and discrepancies between statements and records.
• Verifies scholarship recipients, processes posting forms to Financial Aid and Scholarship and provides data and reports to the Director/Chair in support the unit/department's scholarship process.

5%: Other SSC Responsibilities:

• Works with the SSC Finance Manager to develop and implement strategic and tactical plans for improving and/or providing support services that enhance the operations of the SSC and university administration.
• Coordinates with central finance on the interpretation and communication of finance policies, procedures, and programs.
• Participates in unit/department meetings and events to maintain knowledge of the unit/department.
• Attends regular meetings, training sessions and professional development workshops/seminars to keep current on policies and procedures relevant to position responsibilities, as requested and approved by the SSC Finance Manager.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Accounting or a related field plus a minimum of two years related work experience OR a high school degree/GED plus a minimum of six years of related work experience.

Computer skills in a PC/Windows environment including MS Word and MS Excel as demonstrated by application materials and previous experience.

Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail as demonstrated by application materials.

Analytical and problem-solving skills as demonstrated through past experience in application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in finance, accounting, business administration or related field.

Experience working independently in a finance, accounting, and/or financial compliance environment.

Experience using a financial ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning system), e.g. PeopleSoft.

Experience with fund accounting

Ability to work independently in a team environment, take ownership of the resolution of problems, be flexible and accountable, manage conflicting responsibilities, prioritize tasks and consistently meet deadlines.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, administrative staff and students in a higher education environment.

Experience developing tools and/or databases to help interpret and analyze financial data.

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