Financial Analyst, Student Financial Services

$79,000 - $118,000/Yr

Stanford University - Stanford, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Hybrid - Stanford, CA

10,001+ employees

Educational Services

About the position

Stanford University has an immediate opening for a full-time Financial Analyst within Student Financial Services, a unit in Student & Academic Services. The Financial Analyst will manage, perform, and report on collection activities, internal controls, and system processes, analyze and resolve varied complex issues and account reconciliations, and communicate solutions to students and campus partners. The Financial Analyst will also contribute to online communications and training regarding policies and systems. The best person for the job will have strong analytical skills, financial and accounting aptitude, great communication skills, and a focus on the student experience. This is a new one-year, fixed term, full time position in Student Financial Services and reports to the University Bursar. This is a hybrid position which requires 2 days of on-site work per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) on the Redwood City Campus. Student Financials is an energetic office that manages and collects all student tuition and loan receivables for the university. We also partner with the Controller, Treasurer, and student service departments to ensure student financial records are accurate, accessible, and understandable for all and that we offer the easiest and best payment options for students and their families. Inclusion and diversity are integral to Stanford's commitment to excellence. We are interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience engaging with diversity through activities such as fostering an inclusive environment, working with students and staff from diverse backgrounds, or incorporating diverse perspectives in their work. The Office of Student & Academic Services (SAS) is an office within the division of Student Affairs which centers its work on supporting every student, faculty member, and academic and student affairs staff member on campus. We seek candidates who can support the departmental mission and values, and support Our Most Important Work.

Responsibilities

• Perform and design ad hoc analyses of large complex data sets: 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, often from multiple systems; prepare management information reports.
• Ensure accuracy of reports shared with internal and external partners.
• 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.
• Serve as a resource to local units and other departments to resolve student account and third party account issues.
• 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, and recognize exceptions.
• Participate in developing solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes; maintain broader organizational perspective in decision making.
• Execute internal control programs established by management, research new regulations, and recommend and implement approved changes.
• May manage compliance program for area of responsibility, and create complex compliance reports.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies as well as all regulations including the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.
• Manage and document standard and customized procedures.
• Audit collection processes, internal and those of vendors.
• Develop reports and presentations of complex financial data and metrics for management and third parties.
• Participate as a member of a project team; support new initiatives.
• 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 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 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.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Retirement plan
• Health care benefits
• Career development programs
• Generous time-off
• Family care resources
• Free commuter programs
• Ridesharing incentives
• Discounts on various services