Financial Analyst II

Responsibilities

• Financial Reconciliation and Financial Reporting:
• Performs comprehensive budget to actual analyses;
• Reviews and performs reconciliation of assigned funds and organizations;
• Develops monthly and annual forecasts;
• Evaluates financial trends and identifies risks;
• Drafts departmental budgets and budget revisions;
• Develops financial reports and operational analysis;
• Interprets financial data and recommends corrective actions;
• Prepares moderate complexity proformas and financial projections;
• Supports development of financial assumptions and planning models; and
• Communicates and shares availability of financial reports and financial information to the college community.
• Departmental Financial Management:
• Serves as a financial partner for assigned units;
• Coordinates financial activities and operational initiatives;
• Provides guidance to departments regarding policies and procedures;
• Leads financial workgroups and special projects as instructed by the supervisor; and
• Assists in training new employees and departmental users.
• Financial Process Management and Improvement:
• Helps the implementation of financial process improvements;
• Develops standardized reporting tools;
• Recommends workflow and technology solutions;
• Supports continuous improvement initiatives;
• Sets up any new orgs or activities in the financial system;
• Updates and communicates any college-wide guidance as necessary;
• Ensures existing procedures are updated and in line with university policy and standards; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Considerable relevant experience (typically three or more years);
• Proficiency in financial systems and reporting tools;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite; intermediate Excel skills;
• Considerable knowledge of budgeting methodologies, forecasting techniques, financial analysis principles, and regulatory requirements;
• Knowledge of financial controls and institutional budget administration practices;
• Skill in evaluating financial data and interpreting budget performance;
• Skill in constructing forecasts, variance analyses, and financial projections;
• Skill in leveraging financial systems and analytical tools to support decision-making;
• Ability to administer assigned financial portfolios with limited oversight;
• Ability to diagnose financial issues and formulate recommendations;
• Ability to convey analytical findings to department leadership and non-financial audiences;
• Ability to cultivate collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders; and
• Other attributes include accountability, resourcefulness, independent judgment, and a solution-oriented approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Certified Management Accountant or Certified Public Accountant;
• Prior experience working with databases, preferably with systems currently used at George Mason (i.e., Banner, eVA, etc.);
• Considerable experience with budget planning and monitoring expenditures;
• Prior experience with data visualization tools;
• Considerable experience in handling confidential data such as salary information;
• Experience with a large public institution;
• Knowledge of George Mason information systems, such as Banner, eVA, etc.;
• Knowledge of labor planning, position budgeting, and higher education funding models;
• Knowledge of institutional policies impacting financial operations;
• Skill in designing financial models and analytical tools utilizing advanced Excel functions;
• Skill in producing dashboards and visual reports that facilitate decision-making;
• Ability to coordinate financial projects involving multiple stakeholders;
• Ability to coach colleagues on financial processes and reporting practices;
• Ability to champion operational improvements and workflow enhancements; and
• Other attributes include leadership potential, initiative, and commitment to organizational effectiveness.

Instructions to Applicants