Financial Analyst

5542

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

Under the general guidance of the Assistant Vice President, Academic Administration, the Financial Analyst works to provide data-driven analytics solutions and reporting for the Academic Affairs Division. The Analyst proactively analyzes the financial performance of the division and provides real-time feedback and recommendations to increase financial performance. The Analyst drafts and disseminates financial reports to internal stakeholders as well as works collaboratively with the Assistant Vice President to proactively identify financial trends and address potential issues. The Analyst regularly completes comprehensive data review to identify anomalies and trends, audits information to detect remediation needs and manages compensation-related contracts and letters as well as the associated fiscal entries into the University’s enterprise management system. The Analyst regularly collaborates with cross-functional project teams to deliver high quality information that will result in actionable business decision-making capability and will promote in-depth understanding of nuances in data. These solutions may include formatted reports, datasets, dashboards, new measures and key performance indicators, spreadsheets and other data analytics solutions as necessary to meet business needs. The Analyst will manage all information with confidentiality and proactively provide informed, creative solutions to problems. The Analyst is required to have a general working knowledge of the university and a comprehensive, on-going understanding of Academic Affairs operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Analysis 

• Creates analytical reports to support leadership and key stakeholders in making data driven decisions
• Reviews data sets, identifies trends and creates projections and forecasts
• Assists in creating projected year-end financial reports
• Works closely with internal stakeholders in order to strategically craft annual budget proformas based on data-informed scenario planning that meet operational needs and mission-driven goals.
• Processes all budget appropriations and distribution of merit increases in Oracle EPM including updating institutional system records as needed
• Conducts budget to actual audits to identify areas requiring remediation including but not limited to non-discretionary position-based lines, discretionary budget categories, etc.
• Facilitates expenditure corrections for salary coding errors and prepares and updates budget monitoring reports.
• Conducts position vacancy analysis to understand length of vacancies as they turnover and to provide more accurate year end forecast.
• Audits financial and human capital data in Workday and submits corrections and changes through Workday tasks or journal entries.
• Communicates research findings through memos, reports, as well as dashboards, charts, tables, other data visualization aids
• Identifies new measurements and key performance indicators and regularly updates school leadership on this information
• Is a lead user for the university’s program economics platform
• Crafts data-informed strategic recommendations

Data Management

• Collects, manages and analyzes large and diverse data from multiple datasets, including internally maintained, FERPA-regulated datasets and administrative datasets.  Such datasets can include but are not limited to instructional costs, departmental budgets, departmental spending, personnel distribution lists, etc.
• Verifies the accuracy and completeness of data for analysis
• Works with institutional stakeholders to identify and meet data-related needs
• Identifies ways to improve data-related processes and practices
• Maintains and reviews data within the various University enterprise systems and creates remediation plans should data discrepancies arise

Financial Reporting

• Researches and disseminates monthly and quarterly financial updates and reports to internal constituents and stakeholders including departments under the Provost umbrella
• Creates and regularly updates financial forecasting models to assist in financial planning activities
• Provides assistance in year-end fiscal reporting by creating and issuing year-end reports to internal constituents
• Analyzes and communicates budget trends, deficits, and surpluses on a timely basis and keeps the AVP apprised of significant budget issues and assists with budget changes and report creation within Workday and Oracle EPM.  The Analyst prepares and completes ad-hoc financial projects as assigned
• Manages and updates all financial record keeping systems, electronic and physical

Other

• Works collaboratively with university’s central Finance team in various aspects, sharing of best practices, efficiencies and financial tools as well as data verification and reconciliation
• Provides training to applicable university personnel regarding economics platforms
• Reviews information with discretion and diplomacy in the strictest of confidentiality
• Communicates extensively with Provost Office leadership and as needed, other campus colleagues and constituents
• Other duties as assigned

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university, with preference given to Business, Business Analytics, Data Analytics and/or related field of study
• 5 years of experience in a data research, statistical, analytical research, financial planning and analysis, or related field.
• Previous experience working with financial software platforms required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree from an accredited college or university in Business Analytics, Data Analytics or related field of study
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in a data research, statistical, analytical research, financial planning and analysis, or related field
• Experience working in a higher education setting
• Experience working with Oracle applications, WorkDay and GrayAssociates platforms preferred
• Proven ability to collaborate with individuals of diverse backgrounds

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Highly proficient with Microsoft Excel. Intermediate to advanced Excel skills with function knowledge and appropriate application for functions such as: IF including multiple levels of nested logic, MIN, MAX, AVERAGE, SUM, SUMIFS, SUMPRODUCT, COUNT, COUNTIF, ROUND, etc. and skilled in using pivot tables
• Learning new systems quickly and effectively
• Navigating and implementing policies and procedures
• Performing in a changing technological environment and being able to learn quickly and adapt and reinvent procedures according to change
• Interacting with the professional community
• Presenting materials
• Using judgment to take appropriate action on inquiries
• Entrepreneurial mindset, self-motivated, and efficient
• Analytical skills and database management including the ability to translate and summarize analysis and results into understandable, actionable reports, and recommendations
• Proven ability to prepare clear and meaningful analysis and communicate results in person and via materials to a variety of audiences
• Quantitative skills and high writing, research, communication, and organization proficiencies.
• Promoting in-depth understanding of nuances in data
• Attention to detail and the ability to multitask while also working with minimal supervision
• Ability to assume responsibility and effectively resolve problems by exercising independent judgment in meeting challenges and implementing procedures.
• Ability to focus on technical details in an environment with many distractions
• Ability to shift tasks easily
• Ability to shift mental tasks from the minute and technical to interpersonal and creative at any given moment
• Serving as a collaborative team member with the ability to handle confidential information with tact and discretion
• Working in a busy environment with high customer service standards
• Maintaining a high level of accuracy developing work products and reports
• Functioning with a high degree of autonomy
• Time management in order to handle multiple projects with competing deadlines
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Working with diverse personalities and backgrounds
• Being flexible and versatile in coping with evolving work situations
• Ability to manage the stress of last-minute deadlines and changes

$6,250-$7,085 per month; Excellent Benefits. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review.  If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Hours: 37.5 hours per month

Closing date: September 2, 2026

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.
The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.