Position Title: Financial Analyst II

Department: College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment

Pay Grade: 31E

Deadline: Open until Filled

Context of the Job:

Under limited direction of the Business Officer, the Financial Analyst II is responsible for the oversight of daily and long-term financial planning and analysis for the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (CEOE). The Financial Analyst II provides counsel to the Business Officer through interpreting financial data, developing complex financial models and budget projections, and analyses of actual activity used to drive the Dean's decision-making and strategic planning initiatives. The Financial Analyst II is responsible for the development of and regularly updating the College's four-year all-funds financial plan based on University and College policy changes. Responsible for preparing, implementing and evaluating Department budget allocations and expenditures. Works closely with the Business Officer to develop and implement new College financial policies and procedures. This position also serves as the Fiscal officer for First State Marine Wind, a partnership within the university, providing complex monthly reports and establishing processes related to the joint venture.

The Financial Analyst II serves as a liaison with the College's Department heads and Central Business Office, University Budget Office, Procurement, Finance and other University Administrative units. The Financial Analyst II has a University-wide impact by serving on high-level University Task Forces and employment search committees, and participates in other University financial meetings such as the Academic Financial Group Meeting. The Financial Analyst II supervises the work of staff using PS financials for financial reporting. A high level of independent judgment, initiative and problem-solving skills, and the ability to demonstrate a high degree of confidentiality and discretion are required.

Major Responsibilities:

Financial Management, Budget & Analysis

• Develop multi-year budget plans and projections that ensure the College can effectively implement its strategic and business plans
• Prepare and review financial/budgetary projections of outcome for selected areas, including analysis of budgetary and financial compliance. Provide recommendations and means of resolution for potential financial/budgetary problems and for improving financial/budgetary process and procedures.
• Work closely with the Business Officer and the Dean to determine the annual allocations of Department operating budget, undergraduate and graduate funding, temporary teaching funds and student and faculty recruiting budgets.
• Perform customized and complex financial analyses, including financial and budgetary revenue and expense projections, analyses of actual activity, and cost feasibility studies to facilitate decision-making and planning as requested by the Dean, Assistant Dean, Deputy Dean, Chairs, Directors and the Business Officer.
• Develop planning models to analyze financial impact of; enrollment changes, new program/department creation, increase/decrease in research expenditures, capital projects and other financial scenarios, all with fostering cost- effective operations.
• Recommends and resolves potential financial/budgetary issues. Strives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing processes and looks for alternatives that better meet the business needs. Recommends and assists in implementing enhancements to financial/budgetary processes and procedures.
• Monitors and tracks college-level obligations which include one-time commitments such as start-up, equipment match, and retirement payments.
• College Service Center Manager - Directs the internal and external billing of the College's self-supporting and service center operations. Provide detailed and complex analysis and reporting to determine appropriate fee structure for operations. Subject matter expert on UD's Service Center policy.
• Researches variances to budget, prior month forecast and prior year actuals.
• Researches budgetary matters related to personnel appointments and salary increases
• Process and approve journal vouchers, budget revisions, and supervise account reconciliation
• Provides direction to department personnel in completion of budget and revenue projection reports as needed for Dean, Business Officer and Department chairs.
• Works closely with Business Officer to prepare and complete fiscal year operational budgets for college, departments and self-supporting units for budget turnaround.
• Works directly with the Budget Office as the CEOE Basic Budget Turnaround (BTA) Owner and the CEOE Self-Supporting Budget BTA Owner to complete budget turnaround.

Reporting

• Develop and prepare reports utilizing various reporting and analysis tools, including but not limited to - PeopleSoft Query, advanced Excel and Cognos. These reports support the budgetary preparation, including analysis of financial, student, and HR activity in comparison to anticipated financial/budgetary outcome at both the department and college levels. Reports will also be used to maintain financial data integrity college-wide.
• Responsible for suggesting and developing reports that will further the missions of the College and the University.
• Designs and implements improved methods for compiling existing information to improve reporting capability and information.
• Provide individual training for College and departmental users in all aspects of financial monitoring and reporting following UD guidelines.
• Ensures consistent reporting and conformity with University fiscal policies and procedures.
• Enhances, maintains, and develops financial report structures that will further the missions of the college. Responsible for suggesting and developing reports that will further the missions of the college and the University. Designs and implements improved methods for compiling existing information to improve reporting capability and information.
• Prepare materials to summarize and justify program budget requests, including data gathering and reporting and trend analyses and provide special research and analysis as requested.
• Assist Business Officer with the management and timely data gathering from all sources for the budget planning files for the College and Departments.

Administration

• Participates in the strategic planning process in order to improve the College's fiscal health and ranking.
• Responds to inquiries and researches and resolves problems related to transactions handled within the college; serves as liaison with departments in the resolution of day-to-day financial operation issues.
• Provides guidance to Business Administrators, Sponsored Program Coordinators, Administrative staff for the interpretation of financial reports and data, CEOE and University policies, and in controlling their costs and budgets while fulfilling their financial/budgetary requirements.
• College Procard Manager - monthly review of outstanding transactions, reporting unallocated out of compliance transactions. Work closely with all procard administrators to clear allocations; new/replacement card distribution. Provide training to all new procard administration as needed but at least on an annual basis. Subject matter expert on procurement and procard policies.
• Responsible for determining new purpose code creation and approving and maintaining row level security and has direct oversight and responsibility for over 4,000 purpose codes.
• Responsible for providing financial systems, reporting systems and University account training to College Business Administrators.
  • Communicate and works directly with UD executive offices including the Provost Office, Budget Office, Office of Treasury Services, Office of General Counsel, Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships (OEIP), , and the Research Office to resolve issues involving college joint ventures, financial and administrative issues, and provide recommendations.
  • Develop, implement, maintain and disseminate standard operating procedures for proposal, administrative, financial and billing processes.
  • Develop and evaluate operating procedures that foster cost-effective administrative operations.
  • Perform other duties as required for unit effectiveness.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, Master's degree preferred and five years related experience. Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business related field preferred.
• Proficient knowledge in budget preparation, analysis and financial management.
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, gather and analyze statistical data and generate reports, statements and/or projections
• Experience in a higher education institution preferred.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and decision making skills.
• Demonstrated advanced skills with spreadsheet, database, word processing, and presentation software.
• Experience with UD financial systems, Peoplesoft Query/Cognos, with report generation skills highly preferred.
• Ability to be flexible, work independently and have high accountability for a large volume of work.
• Must be able to handle multiple assignments concurrently.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, make independent decisions and good attention to detail skills. Ability to implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate supervisory skills with ability to provide leadership, mentor and empower staff
• Ability to interact with people of diverse backgrounds, skills and abilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html

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