Budget Analyst

Radford University - Radford, VA

Full-time - Entry Level

Radford, VA

Educational Services

About the position

The Budget Analyst at Radford University will play a crucial role in supporting the Office of Budget and Financial Planning (OBFP) by serving as the first point of contact for the department. This position is responsible for providing operational support, answering inquiries related to funding levels, procedures, and financial systems such as Banner Finance and COGNOS. The Budget Analyst will collaborate closely with the OBFP team to manage position control, prepare and monitor the fiscal year's operating budget, and conduct financial analyses to project and report on financial performance. In addition to these responsibilities, the Budget Analyst will analyze historical and current financial trends to inform future budget strategies. This includes performing reconciliations, evaluating existing processes, and recommending improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in budget management. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to navigate complex financial scenarios while adhering to strict deadlines. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of budget methodologies and financial analysis, as well as effective communication skills to convey complex financial information to university staff and faculty. This position is integral to ensuring that the university's financial planning aligns with its strategic objectives and operational needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide primary operational support to the Office of Budget and Financial Planning (OBFP).
• Serve as the first point of contact for the department, answering questions related to funding levels and procedures.
• Assist with position control management and prepare, monitor, analyze, project, report, and close-out the fiscal year's operating budget.
• Analyze past, present, and future financial trends to predict future performance.
• Perform financial and budget reconciliations.
• Evaluate current processes and systems, recommending changes to best practices.
• Research and recommend alternative budget strategies.

Requirements

• Proficient knowledge of budget and planning methodologies.
• Experience conducting complex financial analyses and preparing detailed reports.
• Ability to coordinate budget formulation with agency objectives and negotiate problem areas.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to respond accurately and quickly to requests for information under strict deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize and work on multiple projects.
• Knowledge of Virginia's higher education budget and finance policies, procedures, and systems.
• Understanding of Virginia's legislative process and fund accounting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in higher education finance or related fields involving budget or financial analyses.
• Familiarity with public policies affecting state colleges and universities.
• Knowledge of the Commonwealth's Performance Budgeting System, Cognos Query Studio, and Ellucian Banner Administrative.
• Experience in preparing financial forecasts in large complex organizations.
• Aptitude to work with pivot tables and core functions in an integrated accounting system.