Financial Analyst III - Saint Louis, United States - Washington University in St. Louis

Description

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

This position is responsible for the financial operations of a set of divisions including 1) financial reporting and analysis, budgeting and forecasting 2) compliance with University, Federal, International, and other requirements, regulations and policies, 3) processing journal entries and budget adjustments, 4) Internal Controls 5) Liaison and resource for division directors and managers regarding budget and financial issues

Job Description

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting and Analysis

• Prepares financial reporting packages for area directors and division managers, analyzing and highlighting significant budget and year over year variances.
• Serves as primary contact for area directors and division managers, providing requested information, resolving issues and providing guidance and direction of the financial impact of new initiatives.
• Holds quarterly meetings with area directors and division managers to discuss issues/initiatives in their areas with budgetary impacts.
• Works with area personnel to prioritize expenditures and identify opportunities for savings to meet unanticipated needs without exceeding their annual budget.
• Works with Accounting Services' school accountant on quarterly Core report variance explanations (year-to-year actuals and budget-to-actuals) per the Core report schedule.
• Determines reporting needs and create customized user reports for divisions that are tailored to their specific operational needs. Remain current in new applications to ensure effective and efficient delivery of information.
• Analyzes income and expenses, makes investigations, assembles data and prepares projections and reports for planning and decision making. Processes journal entries and budget adjustments for restricted and unrestricted accounts as necessary. Incorporates data and ideas in formal and/or informal reports, providing recommendations for problem issue resolution as appropriate.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Provides assistance and supports to area directors and division managers in developing their annual departmental budgets. Ensures departmental budgets adhere to the school's parameters and recommendations for the school-wide annual budget and resolves any discrepancies or deviations from the established recommendations.
• Prepares the budget reporting package and assist with PowerPoint presentations for submission to leadership team. Provides summarized and detailed reports on historical, current and projected activity and footnote significant variances.
• Manages entry and balancing of the departments' budgets in the school's budget workbook and also manages submission and balancing of the departments' budgets into the University's Reporting and Planning System.
• Ensures the current budget in the Administrative Information System is updated once the departments' budgets are approved by the Dean.

Financial Operations

• Provides day-to-day oversight of financial transactions for assigned divisions. Researches discrepancies and deviations from university or school policies and communicates with key department personnel.
• Approves unrestricted and restricted non-payroll financial transactions for assigned departments.
• Provides training to department personnel on university and school systems, policies and procedures.
• Performs document processing functions as needed.

Other Responsibilities (May include some or all of the following)

• Managing Restricted Funds - maintains records, reporting and budgeting for restricted funds including gifts, endowments, scholarships, grants and contracts.
• Revenue and Other Account Reconciliations.
• Salary Budgeting, Reporting and Analysis.
• Prepares accounts receivable accrual journal entries and customer invoices.
• Updates compensation benchmarking reports for the department leadership.
• Works with University Central Finance Operations including but not limited to: School Accounting, Financial Aid, Alumni and Development, Gift Accounting, Payroll and Human Resources, Tax, Accounts Payable.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant or Master of Business Administration and five years of experience.
• Prefer experience in an academic environment and knowledge of fund accounting. Prefer experience with Washington University Financial/Administrative Information System, Workday, CRM, Quickbooks, Focus/Web-Focus, Cognos/RAPS and Hyperion Enterprise.
• Self-motivated individual with the ability to work independently.
• Must have strong knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint presentation.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving and accounting skills in addition to excellent communication organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Must have excellent customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to use discretionary judgment and maintain confidentiality in working with financial and budget information.
• Ability to work with a variety of people (i.e. faculty, staff, students, other University contacts, etc.).
• High degree of initiative; ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.

Required Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in accounting or related field with three years of professional accounting experience.

Grade

G11

Salary Range

$52, $88,800.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University.

Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position.

The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks.

All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We've got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit:

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St.

Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups.

It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment - fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.