Budget Analyst

$60,450 - $67,000/Yr

Syracuse University - Syracuse, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

Syracuse, NY

10,001+ employees

Educational Services

About the position

The Budget Analyst at Syracuse University plays a crucial role in managing the financial operations of a large science department that handles significant sponsored award expenses. This position requires sound judgment and effective decision-making skills to oversee day-to-day financial processes and procedures. The analyst will be responsible for analyzing various financial information from multiple funding sources, including unrestricted funds, sponsored funds, gifts, and endowment funds. The primary goal is to forecast the impact of financial expenditure decisions, provide direction and support to the department chair, maximize the use of funds, and ensure that overall operations remain within budget. In addition to managing financial operations, the Budget Analyst will ensure the accurate and timely processing of financial transactions related to expenses, sponsored effort, grants, and salary holding. The role also involves supervising budget support staff and managing workflow to maintain efficiency within the department. The analyst will prepare monthly financial analysis details and summaries, communicate ongoing financial operations with the department, and utilize financial tools to analyze, review, and forecast budget, revenue, and expenditure activities. This includes compiling financial reports by reconciling expenditure data for departmental programs, startup, and research accounts. The Budget Analyst will also advise the department chair and faculty on current accounting policies and practices, independently analyze revenues and expenditures for the department, and monitor financial records of sponsored awards to ensure compliance with project goals and sponsor regulations. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including faculty, the college Director of Budget and Finance, and university administrative units, to resolve budget questions and assist in budget proposal preparations. Overall, the Budget Analyst is integral to the financial health and operational success of the department, ensuring that all financial activities align with the university's goals and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day departmental financial operations, processes, and procedures.
• Monitor accuracy on financial transactions for all payments and revenues.
• Resolve issues discovered during review and reconciliation of accounts.
• Provide support, including the preparation of monthly financial analysis detail and summaries, ongoing communication with department regarding respective financial/budgetary operations.
• Utilizing all available financial tools, analyze, review, and forecast budget, revenue, and expenditure activity; compile financial reports by assembling and reconciling expenditure data for departmental programs, startup, and research accounts.
• Make recommendations regarding expenditures and strategic utilization of various sources of funding including gift monies, course fee funds, endowment resources, etc.
• Advise department chair and faculty on current accounting policies and practices.
• Independently analyze and coordinate revenues and expenditures for department including large federal grants, gifts and endowments, and tuition and fees.
• Calculate financial effect salary distribution changes have on internal and external funding sources.
• Monitor and audit financial records of sponsored awards to be sure expenditures are in line with project goals and plans and advise faculty on sponsor rules and regulations.
• Serve as pre-reviewer for effort reporting system.
• Clear salary holding in a timely manner to support effort reporting process.
• Secure cash flow with pre-award or no-cost-extension requests.
• Provide periodic reports on expenditures in accordance with government regulations.
• Assist faculty with research budget proposal preparation.
• Plan spending and payroll with the Principal Investigator (PI).
• Input and maintain payroll appointments according to the proposal.
• Serve as liaison among PIs and university administrative units.
• Partner with Operations Specialist on special projects that have budgetary implications.
• Provide accurate and complete financial justification and sourcing for position evaluation requests (PERs) supported by startup and/or research funds.
• Work closely with college Director of Budget and Finance to resolve budget questions and assist in requests from the Dean and the Office of Budget and Planning.
• Supervise budget support staff and manage workflow.
• Train budget staff.
• Seek approval and properly document delegated duties, oversee work products, provide staff direction, and maintain appropriate internal controls.
• Inform Chair of staff needs, problems, and changes.
• Consult with Chair to evaluate staff by providing regular feedback throughout the year and through the annual HR Performance Partnership Process.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.
• Experience in budget management and financial analysis.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including faculty and administrative staff.
• Proficiency in financial software and tools for budget analysis and reporting.
• Experience supervising staff and managing workflows.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.
• Experience in a higher education environment.
• Knowledge of federal grant regulations and compliance.
• Familiarity with university financial systems and processes.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan options
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement for employees and their dependents