Financial Analyst - The Planet Group

$40-45/hr

Financial Analyst
3-month contract; possible extension or conversion*
*opportunity to convert to full time - must be local to area and comfortable coming into the office a couple times a month 
Location: REMOTE -  Boston, MA

Must Haves:

•  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience
• Basic Fin Ops experience and/or accounting background,
• Experience with software such as MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint essential 
• Knowledge of debits and credits.

Preferred: 

• Prior experience in higher ed, nonprofit, or academic research environment always a plus.
• Expertise with Oracle and Hyperion financials and database tools preferred

Job Description:
Reporting to the Manager of IT Finance Administration and Operations with a dotted line to the Senior Director of IT Finance, the Financial Analyst independently performs complex financial analysis of operational and strategic expenses including operating budgets and sponsored funds for the Department of Information Technology.  The successful candidate will be responsible for budgeting, financial reporting, financial planning, forecasting, financial operations, and assisting managing the pre and post-award administration of three federal projects, supporting the development of sponsored grant proposals and providing post-award administration services, including preparation of monthly financial reports and monthly projections. 

Core Duties: 
•    Supports the development, preparation, and consolidated submission of HMS IT annual operating and forecast budgets, the multi-year technology plan, and management of pre and post-award administration of three federal projects.
•    Conducts complex quantitative financial analysis on the IT portfolio of operational and strategic expenses, working with IT budget owners and project managers to review data and validate trends.
•    Prepares monthly and quarterly budget variance reports, highlighting key performance indicators, evaluating interim budget-to-actual and year-over-year financial performance. 
•    Develops and manages effective working relationships with IT budget owners, identifying potential fiscal operational challenges and opportunities to reflect in fiscal guidance to IT Leadership.
•    Supports IT’s quarterly close and year-end close processes, identifies, analyzes, and resolves complex accounting and/or budgetary issues. Provides recommendations to improve current financial processes assists implementing workflow redesign. 
•    Develops and maintains an in-depth understanding of the current financial and budget management processes and procedures for the department.
•    Acts as the primary resource for IT departments on pre and post-award administration of IT’s sponsored portfolio and under general guidance from Sr. Director and Manager, manages the life cycle of three sponsored projects, including pre and post-award administration. 
•    Pre-award responsibilities include providing direct support with proposal preparation, developing budgets, budget justifications, supporting documentation, and required institutional information. Shepherds supported proposals through the HMS and University proposal review and submission process. Ensures compliance with federal regulations and University, HMS, and sponsor policies.
•    Post-award administration includes monthly budget and expenditure review, pre and post close, award reconciliation, preparing monthly financial reports and forecasts. Maintenance of costing allocation schedules for personnel and non-personnel costs. Assists HMS IT PI with quarterly effort certification process.  Keeps abreast of regulatory compliance changes.


Additional Qualifications and Skills
•    Excellent analytic, written, and communications skills
•    Advanced knowledge of financial analysis and modeling as well as accounting principles
•    Knowledge of sponsored research regulations
•    Highly organized and detail-oriented; able to effectively manage time and prioritize across multiple projects simultaneously
•    Must have the ability to learn quickly, initiate action, and an eagerness to grow
•    Strong ability to build effective working relationships within the finance team and with partner departments
•    Experience with software such as MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint essential and expertise with Oracle and Hyperion financials and database tools preferred