Financial Analyst

Performs a variety of financial analysis, budgeting, reporting, and accounting support functions for Cary Academy Business Operations. Supports the Chief Financial Officer and Business Operations team with annual budget development, ongoing financial monitoring, financial reporting, forecasting, analysis of operating trends, and special projects. Works collaboratively with budget officers, division and department leaders, and other school employees to provide timely, accurate, and useful financial information. Assists with and/or coordinates other tasks and projects for Cary Academy Business Operations as assigned.

• Prepare, maintain, and analyze budget and financial reports for school leadership, division and department leaders, and other budget officers as needed or requested.
• Develop and monitor thoughtful financial analyses and KPIs that provide school leadership timely insights into trends, adherence to budget and key performance drivers.
• Design and maintain accurate dashboards that leverage data visualization to deliver key analyses.
• Build dynamic financial models underpinned by KPIs to assess short- and long-term sustainability with key assumptions.
• Develop assumptions-based 5- and 10-year financial plans that identify key inputs, drivers, trends, and potential impacts on long-term financial sustainability.
• Lead the annual operating budget process, including preparing budget templates, compiling budget submissions, reviewing account activity and trends, and assisting with budget communications and follow-up.
• Monitor ongoing budget performance and financial activity, identifying variances, trends, opportunities, and areas requiring additional review or action.
• Analyze enrollment, tuition, fee, and financial aid trends to support revenue planning, affordability discussions, and long-term financial forecasting.
• Prepare financial models, forecasts, cost analyses, dashboards and scenario analyses to support decision-making for operating budgets, capital projects, auxiliary programs, tuition and fees, staffing, contracts, and other school initiatives.
• Provide information, education, and support to budget officers and other employees regarding financial reports, budget status, account coding, purchasing processes, and financial procedures.
• Assist with month-end and year-end financial reporting, audit preparation, regulatory reporting, and other financial reporting requirements as assigned.
• Compile, organize, reconcile, and analyze financial and operational data from accounting, payroll, student billing, enrollment, auxiliary program, and other school systems.
• Support the tracking, reporting, and analysis of restricted gifts, endowment spending, reserves, capital projects, and other designated funds in coordination with Development and Business Operations employees.
• Assist in developing, refining, documenting, and improving budgeting, financial analysis, internal control, and reporting processes.
• Monitor cash flow, liquidity, reserves, and investment-related activity to support effective treasury planning, capital planning, and financial decision-making.
• Support in the preparation of Board of Director reports, presentations and other ad hoc reporting for Finance Committee, Audit Committee and Board of Directors.
• Enter, maintain and analyze annual school benchmark reporting including but not limited to INDEX, DASL, SAIS, NCAIS, NBOA and Commonfund to ensure accuracy of school reporting.
• Analyze peer benchmark data and make recommendations based on annual school benchmark results.
• Prepare ad hoc reports, presentations, schedules, and analyses for the Chief Financial Officer, Head of School, Finance Committee, Audit Committee, and other internal audiences as assigned.

As a Cary Academy employee, you will:

• Engage actively in the school’s diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism work in all aspects of your professional responsibilities and interactions in furtherance of Cary Academy’s commitment to equity and justice.
• Attend and actively participate in all required School professional development activities in areas to include, but not limited to, safety and security; diversity, equity, and inclusion; student learning and support; technology; and school operations.
• Engage authentically in processes of self-reflection and improvement of practice, including full participation in the Professional Growth and Renewal Program.
• Complete all required administrative and operational tasks and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and School policies and procedures as articulated in handbooks, operating guides and other School policy and procedure communications and documentation in a responsive and timely manner.
• Use designated technology assets and platforms as directed by School policies and procedures to allow for secure, effective, and collaborative school operations. Work collaboratively with the Information Services team to research, implement and evaluate technology resources related to position responsibilities.
• Perform other projects and duties as assigned in support of both divisional and school operations and initiatives.

Essential Expectations

In this position, you will:

• Have strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret, organize, and communicate financial information clearly and accurately.
• Pay attention to detail and accuracy, and work effectively in a multiple-task, deadline-oriented work environment.
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when working with financial, employee, student, family, and school information.
• Work collaboratively with employees at varying levels of financial knowledge to support effective budget management and decision-making.

Education, Knowledge, and Professional Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.

Experience: 2 to 5 years of directly related financial analysis, budgeting or accounting. Experience with accounting software, reporting systems, data analysis tools, and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel required, PowerBI experience preferred.

Certification and/or Credentials: CPA or other finance/accounting credential preferred but not required.

Equivalency: Directly related experience or a combination of directly related education and experience may be considered in place of the above requirements.

• Knowledge of budgeting, financial reporting, financial analysis, and generally accepted accounting principles, preferably as they relate to non-profit institutions.
• Advance proficiency of Microsoft Excel and other technology tools used to compile, analyze, summarize, and present financial data.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and useful financial reports, models, summaries, and presentations for a variety of audiences.
• Working knowledge of accounting systems, budget systems, reporting platforms, and Microsoft 365 tools in a Windows environment.
• Ability to identify trends, investigate variances, reconcile data, and recommend process improvements based on financial and operational analysis.
• Strong organizational, time management, and follow-up skills, with the ability to move multiple projects forward in a deadline-oriented environment.