Job Details

Financial Analyst: College of Arts & Sciences - UTK

Position Number: 6119748
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Business - Finance

Financial Analyst: College of Arts & Sciences - UTK
Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Identification: 2459
Job Category: Financial
Posting Date: 04/01/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 1403 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US (On-site)

Job Description
The Financial Analyst position is part of the finance and HR leadership team in the College of Arts and Science (CAS), overseeing financial management through high-level forecasting, financial analysis, and financial modeling, and ensuring CAS compliance with University fiscal policy, as well as State and Federal regulations. Additionally, this position will establish training for CAS departments and develop policies and processes related to financial management and compliance for departments to follow.

This position is part of the finance and HR leadership team in the College of Arts and Science (CAS), overseeing financial management through high-level forecasting, financial analysis, and financial modeling, and ensuring CAS compliance with University fiscal policy, as well as State and Federal regulations. Additionally, this position will establish training for CAS departments and develop policies and processes related to financial management and compliance for departments to follow.

Responsibilities
Forecasting and Scenario Modeling:

Proactively analyze data for trends to inform decisions, preparing customized managerial and financial reports and providing analysis of reports used for strategic decision making

Develop financial forecasts for projected year-end revenue totals, direct expenditures, key expenditures such as financial aid and waivers; update forecasts monthly to keep CAS leadership up-to-date on year-end projections for operating margins, surpluses or deficits, and reserve balances

Develop and maintain long-range (five year) plans; make periodic adjustments as required due to changing operating expectations, shifting university strategic priorities, or external economic conditions

Develop and maintain various planning scenarios as requested by CAS leadership, such as enrollment figures significantly above or below target expectations, implementation of new academic programs, or possible impacts of increasing online courses and enrollments

Develop and implement creative alternative solutions to reduce costs and improve financial performance

Analyze and produce actuals vs budget variance reports on revenue sources, personnel expenditures, operating expenses, allocated expenses from support units, support from endowment and gift accounts, and reserve fund balances, moving charges as needed to align with intended uses and to ensure appropriateness of expenditures

Evaluate income and expenses to make high level recommendations for adjustments to maximize use of fiscal resources

Provide expert advice and guidance to CAS leadership regarding the impacts and implications of the variance analyses

Manage multi-year commitments to and from the college to ensure forecasts are accurate

Audit & Fiscal Compliance:

Audit college and departmental accounts to ensure compliance with fiscal policies including account reconciliations, variance analyses, etc., initiating financial adjustments as needed to bring accounts into compliance with approved spending policies

Audit labor schedules and distributions within the college to reduce items going to the clearing account and ensure timely clearance of items that have hit the clearing account, establishing College policies to ensure practices align with campus priorities related to the management of labor distribution

Develop and produce analytical reports to determine areas where improvement is needed in the areas of fiscal compliance, initiating corrective measures where needed to bring units into compliance

Serve as the primary fiscal compliance expert for the entire college, including directing department staff on appropriate processes and using sound judgment to determine when exceptions to policy should be requested, establishing College processes for how exceptions may be requested and having independent authority to advance or deny requests

Leadership:

Serve as part of the financial leadership team, providing recommendations for financial and strategic planning within the new budget model, anticipating problems and collaborating with the Director of Finance and HR and the Assistant Director for valid and appropriate solutions

Develop and implement a financial training plan for all department staff, especially related to unit financial management, labor distribution, fiscal policy, and variance analysis

Serve as subject matter expert for departments and oversee departmental financial compliance with UT policies and procedures, establishing policies for departments to follow related to financial compliance

Supervise Financial Administrator, setting goals, performing evaluations, and determining if corrective action is needed to improve performance

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business or other closely related field
Experience: 5 years of progressive finance or accounting experience; 5 years of experience involving financial analysis, budgeting, and modeling; 5 years of experience using ERP and business intelligence software for data aggregation, analysis, budgeting, and modeling
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Possess exceptional computer and analytical skills with the ability to translate raw data into information and knowledge through the use of reports and graphical displays.

Ability to identify risks associated with budget actions and determine the cause and effect of scenarios.

Possess working knowledge of ERP software and the related data warehouse reporting component.

Possess working knowledge of business intelligence software such as PowerBI, PowerQuery, Argos, Crystal Reports, or Tableau; and proficient in Microsoft Excel

Possess organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

Possess strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate financial data in an understandable way to college leadership, faculty and staff.

Ability to manage projects and facilitate successful and timely completion.

Ability to direct the work of others.

Ability to self-direct work and be self-motivated.

Ability to make sound judgments.

Ability to read, interpret, and communicate complex policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Master's degree
Experience: Experience in higher education; 6 or more years of progressive finance or accounting experience; 6 or more years of experience involving financial analysis, budgeting, and modeling; 6 or more years of experience using ERP and business intelligence software for data aggregation, analysis, budgeting, and modeling; Experience with incentive-based budgeting models; Supervisory experience; Understanding of fund accounting and non-profit or governmental reporting

Work Location

This position is on the UTK campus in Knoxville, TN and will be primarily onsite.

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR14
Anticipated hiring range: $100,000-$120,000, DOE&Q
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

For best consideration applicants should submit a cover letter, current resum, and 3 professional references with the application.

About Us
With over 225 years dedicated to education and research, and as one of the 100 largest employers in Tennessee, there is endless potential to discover at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This advanced academic center comprises 17 degree-granting colleges and schools, 900+ programs of study, 547 graduate programs, and is home to over 7,500 employees statewide who support the continued growth of the state's flagship land-grant university. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Anthropological Research Facility, Space Institute, and the UT Institute of Public Service are acclaimed entities of the UT system and with nearby affiliate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Rocky Top is a university on the rise. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset and with values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovative leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs. Apply today and join the Vol Family for life!
Ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates", "One of America's Best Large Employers", "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

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