Financial Analyst 2

Spire Systems - Palo Alto, CA

Full-time

Palo Alto, CA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Financial Analyst 2 position involves performing complex finance functions that require advanced knowledge of internal policies, external regulations, and financial systems. The role includes managing key areas within finance operations, reporting on collection activities, and analyzing complex issues related to student accounts and third-party contracts. The analyst will also contribute to training and online communications regarding financial policies and systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform and design ad hoc analyses of large complex data sets and reconcile complex accounts.
• Capture, track, and report collection activities for student receivables and third-party contracts.
• Analyze accounts receivable and third-party receivable agings and report findings and trends to management.
• Run and analyze financial reports from multiple systems and prepare management information reports.
• Ensure accuracy of reports shared with internal and external partners.
• Document and audit student payment arrangements.
• Recommend annual write-offs based on thorough analysis of activity and trends.
• Identify and resolve complex issues which may span multiple areas.
• Reconcile and resolve problems relative to complicated accounts.
• Monitor system activity and report exceptions to management.
• Triage ticket and email queues to expedite handling.
• Serve as a resource to local units and other departments to resolve student account and third-party account issues.
• Analyze and respond to tickets and emails related to student accounts, third-party accounts, student loans, payroll deduction, and other issues, escalating as needed.
• Develop templates for commonly asked questions.
• Update and maintain content on various student-facing websites.
• Collaborate with the User Experience Design Services team to update and maintain Student Financial Services training for student services officers across campus.
• Conduct analysis and resolution, recognizing exceptions and participating in developing solutions that may require policy changes or new processes.
• Execute internal control programs established by management, research new regulations, and recommend and implement approved changes.
• Manage compliance program for area of responsibility and create complex compliance reports.
• Perform collection activities for all tuition and loan accounts ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulations including the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.
• Manage and document standard and customized procedures.
• Communicate with students and third parties regarding internal policies and regulations to ensure understanding and foster successful resolution.
• Audit collection processes, internal and those of vendors.
• Coordinate and communicate with the loan servicing vendor regarding student loan accounts; make decisions regarding student loan accounts and escalate issues as needed.
• Develop reports and presentations of complex financial data and metrics for management and third parties.
• Perform service indicator audits and present findings to management.
• Analyze the student loan portfolio and report findings to management.
• Participate as a member of a project team; support new initiatives and make decisions determining approach to managing and completing processes.
• Contribute to unit and organization strategy; assist in the development of change management plans and materials as needed.
• Develop and maintain desktop procedures and process documentation for area of responsibility.
• Define requirements, develop and implement complex test cases, perform system testing and analyze results.
• Participate in critical analysis of existing systems and processes, and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Provide consulting advice to client group(s); serve as a resource on matters that require specific technical, financial, or subject matter expertise; support negotiations with external partners.
• May supervise, train, coach, and review the work of other staff, as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and four years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Advanced proficiency in business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial systems; internet and computer literacy.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of accounting and financial data analysis.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences and client groups.
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to contribute to or lead part of a multi-functional team.

Nice-to-haves

• 4+ years of experience ideally with a focus on financial or higher education operations with system integrations.
• Experience in ERP software (PeopleSoft, Oracle Financials, Flywire, etc.) is highly desired.
• Experience with regulations pertaining to collections and higher education is highly desired.