Financial Analyst, Budget and Planning

$61,500 - $73,000/Yr

The Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York - New York, NY

Full-time

New York, NY

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Financial Analyst, Budget and Planning at Columbia University plays a crucial role in managing and executing the College's operating budget of approximately $400 million. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Financial Planning and Analysis, the analyst provides analytical support, assists in budget preparation, and monitors financial activities within the College. This position requires collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure accurate financial reporting and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to the development of the College's annual budget and monitors it routinely.
• Prepares worksheets and gathers key data to inform the budget process.
• Updates entries into the University's budget tool and helps reconcile information to the College's internal budget planning model.
• Reviews the University's consolidated operating budget reports and contributes to variance analysis.
• Processes journal entries for monthly, quarterly, and year-end close.
• Supports financial reporting and analysis for a specific program or set of financial activities within the College.
• Learns the business and operations of a designated program or set of financial activities.
• Initiates transactions for relevant financial activities.
• Reconciles monthly financial statements and analyzes budget variance reports.
• Prepares reports regarding financial activity as needed.
• Updates and reconciles complex financial and budgetary spreadsheets.
• Tracks expenditures and/or payments ensuring they are posted to proper accounts.
• Processes gift transmittals and completes regular reconciliations of gift data.
• Manages new fund creation requests.
• Assists with analysis of financial information and/or preparation of regular and ad hoc financial reports at the direction of the Director and senior members of the Finance Team.
• Performs other related duties, assignments, and/or special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 2 years of related experience required.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Self-starter capable of operating with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a strong customer service focus.
• Ability to work closely and effectively with a diverse group of administrators.
• Ability to exercise discretion and handle confidential information essential.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite required, specifically Excel skills.
• Ability to compile, manipulate, and analyze data and present financial information to end-users.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in higher education, non-profit, and/or complex organization preferred.
• Knowledge of Columbia University's accounting system (ARC/FDS/FinSYS) preferred.
• Familiarity with PeopleSoft Financials or a similar type of financial management application preferred.