Lead Budget Analyst, Budget & Financial Analyst at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Job Description:

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Job Description SummaryReporting to the AVP, Budget and Financial Planning, this position will serve as Lead Financial Analyst for the Reynolda Campus and oversee administrative support to the Budget and Financial Planning office as needed. The Lead Budget Analyst assists in ensuring the fiscal health of the University. Responsible for specific components of the budget process, supporting analysis and funding guidance to schools and units. This is accomplished by preparing detailed budget projections, monitoring and reviewing ongoing budget activity and variances, analysis of current and past financial history, and development and/or consolidations of detailed revenue, personnel, operating, and capital budgets.
Job Description

Essential Functions:

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  Validates budget availability for Workday transactions resulting from Workday Human Capital Management or Financial business processes. Roles may include approving transactions, tracking and monitoring data related to expenses, workflow assistance, collaborating with business managers, HR, payroll, or finance to correct issues, and testing Workday upgrades/releases.

  
  


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  Takes lead working with other departments on financial projects, analyzing the profitability of units or new initiatives, and preparing and coordinating various models and financial analyses for senior management.

  
  


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  Serves as Subject Matter Expert on Budget and Financial Planning and Workday Adaptive Planning.

  
  


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  Assists and trains campus users in developing and submitting annual budgets and forecasts in Workday Adaptive Planning.

  
  


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  Responsible for the preparation, development, and testing of Workday and Adaptive Planning for the annual budget and planning cycle. Recommends Adaptive Planning enhancements and ensures that reporting follows Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

  
  


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  Models various financial analysis as requested independently and with ability to self-audit work product for high level of accuracy.

  
  


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  Supports budget committee meetings on variety of financial topics which may require financial analysis or coordination of effort.

  
  


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  Collaborates with the Director to create presentations for various executive and departmental meetings.

  
  


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  Exercises considerable discretion and independent judgment and can analyze complex information requests and determine trends.

  
  


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  Collaborates with Facilities and other schools, units or departments on funding sources. Supports capital planning process and tracking spreadsheets.

  
  


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  provides innovative solutions for emerging financial management needs, as well as timely strategic decision support for senior leadership and other stakeholders.

  
  


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  Ability to forecast, understanding key forecast drivers and variables that can affect financial results

  
  


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  Collaborates on recommendations for budget allocations that conform with budgetary policies and limits.

  
  


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  Utilizes financial modeling and data analytics tools. Ability to create visualizations and in PowerPoint presentations and Excel graphs and communicate analysis results and projections. Supports development of Board of Trustee materials.

  
  


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  Ability to communicate trends and financial data in a detailed or concise manner.

  
  


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  Exercises considerable discretion and independent judgment and can analyze complex information requests and determine trends. Able to manipulate large amounts of data in Excel.

  
  


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  Performs other duties as assigned.

  
  

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

● Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline with at least 5-7 years of related and progressively more responsible financial work or an equivalent combination of education and experience. progressively more responsible financial work or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

● Strong knowledge of accounting and financial principles

● Expert in Excel and Google Sheets (i.e., template development, pivot tables, lookups, and various sum functions) and the ability to utilize these skills to meet ad hoc data needs in support of leadership requests for analysis, forecasts, or ongoing reports.

● Strong analytical skills including problem-solving skills and critical thinking with attention to detail.

● Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community; proven verbal and written communication skills.

● Ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure and adapt to rapidly changing priorities; excellent time management skills; ability to organize personal workflow.

● Ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedural questions without the benefit of precedents.

● Ability to work independently; evidence of sound judgment and high-level problem-solving skills, unquestionable integrity, and a strong sense of professional ethics.

● Technical ability and intellectual curiosity to learn new systems in a short time period.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

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  Master's degree in finance, accounting, business or related field or CPA

  
  


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  Prior experience with accounting principles, budget preparation, and fiscal controls. Experience with GAAP accounting, journal entries and account reconciliations

  
  


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  Strong financial modeling, budgeting, and analytical skills utilizing advanced Excel techniques. Advanced level in Excel and Google Sheets

  
  


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  Proficient in the design and maintenance of financial management systems, internal controls, finance policies, and procedures development, and business planning and analysis

  
  


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  Exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and innovative problem-solving skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines and competing priorities

  
  


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  Strong financial modeling, budgeting, and analytical skills utilizing advanced Excel techniques.

  
  


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  Prior experience using Adaptive Planning or alternative budget software; experience maintaining business processes and report writing for Workday and Adaptive Planning

  
  


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  Prior experience with budgeting using HR position controls

  
  


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  Prior experience with Enterprise Resource Planning software such as Workday or an alternative financial management system

  
  


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  Proven ability to perform information research and analysis for new projects; familiarity with sources for researching higher education issues

  
  


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  Ability to develop PowerPoint presentations independently that concisely highlights key takeaways

  
  


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  Prior experience in higher education setting preferred but not required

  
  


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  Experience with and commitment to working in a diverse and multi-cultural environment

  
  


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  Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality

  
  


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  Effective mentoring skills

  
  

Accountabilities:

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  Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning software such as Workday or an alternative financial management system

  
  


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  Experience using Adaptive Planning or alternative budget software

  
  

Additional Job Description

Physical Requirements:

Work primarily involves sitting/standing, communicating with others to exchange information, operating a computer, and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Environmental Conditions:

Subject to inside environmental conditions. Not typically exposed to adverse environmental conditions

Disclaimer:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the employee's supervisor.

To help provide a safe learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final candidates being considered for employment.

Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply. Wake Forest University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in employment for individuals with disabilities.

Time Type RequirementFull timeNote to Applicant:This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Wa
ke Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive work environment committed to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply. Apply Now