Senior Financial Analyst-CHS - Virginia Commonwealth University

Summary

The College of Humanities and Sciences isseeking a Senior Financial Analyst to join our growing finance team! The Senior Financial Analyst position serves as a financial manager and providesprofessional-level accounting services in support of business operations asneeded for various departments and schools of the College of Humanities andSciences. The incumbent is responsible for the fiscal and accounting functionsand activities of multiple indices, across multiple funding sources. Thesefunding sources include, but are not limited to E&G, overhead, university,and grant accounts. The incumbent will maintain the integrity of accountingrecords for all financial operations by analyzing, reviewing, and supervisingthe execution of financial transactions to ensure compliance. In addition, thisindividual will provide the chair or director with department summary reportseach month and a department financial overview each semester, and will supplyprincipal investigators with grant summary reports each month. This individualdirectly interacts with chairs, directors, faculty, staff, the Finance Unit inthe Dean’s Office, and with other financial staff across the University. Thisposition also requires administration of fiscal, grants, and financial activityand makes independent decisions to resolve problems.

The VCU job series for this position is Senior Accountant in theFinancial Services job family.  For more information, please see VCU HumanResources’ Job Family and Salary Rangesat https://hr.vcu.edu/hr-partners/user-access-guides--training/compensation-and-hiring/university-compensation-plan/job-families-and-salary-ranges/.

VCU combines learning, research, creativity, service and discoverywith a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30“most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban,public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Hereyour success is supported, and your career can thrive. VCU offers a robustbenefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual andholiday leave granted up front, retirement planning and savings options,tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, generous tuition benefit,employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for careerdevelopment and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here,https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will add your military years ofservice to our leave plan. This may provide veterans with an increased leaveaccrual!

Typical Duties

•Ensure the integrity of the accounting, financial reporting, procurement, payments and financial compliance for the business unit
•Responsible for timely review of transactions and reconciliation of each Banner index to ensure an effective internal control environment and compliance with Agency Risk Management & Internal Control Standards (ARMICS)
•Participate in the development of operational policies and procedures, automation enhancements and initiatives, and drafts financial projections and budgets for management review
•Demonstrate a commitment to risk assessment (considering cost, benefit and impact)
•Utilizes identified internal controls mechanism
•Practice routine verification of the accuracy of data
•Provide technical assistance to principal investigators, fiscal administrators, and department administrators in the proper administration of sponsored research projects by interpreting, investigating and analyzing data
•Analyze assigned grants monthly to ensure compliance with sponsor regulations
•Apply problem solving skills and articulate a number of optional approaches recommending a course of action to resolve problems such as deficit balances so accounts can be closed in a timely manner, budget reallocations and verifying cost sharing
•Analyze the final financial report for expired grants and prepares the required reports to the sponsoring agency to close out the sponsor research project in accordance with agency regulations by sending notifications to PI to resolve any problems by securing authorization or agreement from PI to submit the final report to the sponsoring agency
•Prepare and mail monthly, quarterly or annual billings to the sponsor for reimbursement of expenditures incurred by the University for sponsored research projects
•Examine award documents and interpret policies and procedures in order to create an account on the Financial Accounting System
•Interpret requirements of sponsor regulations and prepare special reports such as contract release forms and termination notices as required

Education and Experience

Minimum Hiring Standards
•Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or public administration and 3 to 5 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
•Accounting experience including demonstrated experience analyzing labor distribution reports, managing end of month financial reports, and budget reconciliations
•Working knowledge of State and University procurement policies and procedures including experience with RealSource and Banner Finance
•Demonstrated working knowledge of Banner or other financial management systems
•Experience performing complex bank and account reconciliations
•Ability to research, perform complex reconciliations, analyze balances and fluctuations and create financial reports related to fiscal data and fund sources
•Ability to effectively interact with department heads, senior officials, managers, faculty, staff, students, and the general public utilizing exceptional customer service skills
•Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel as well as Google Suite applications
•Excellent oral and written communication skills and attention to detail and ability to accurately execute financial transactions and review data
•Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
•Experience in administrative support role preferably with financial experience
•Experience with accounts payable, corporate purchasing cards, and travel reimbursements
•Ability to function well in a complex, fast paced, multitask work environment that regularly includes a variety of projects with multiple deadlines
•Ability to respond to requests with a professional and positive demeanor and the desire to create a positive and enthusiastic environment
•Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Hiring Standards
•Supervisor experience
•Knowledge of university and state budget policies and procedures
•Experience in a higher education environment; experience with VCU’s travel policies.
•Knowledge of OMB circulars and compliance
•Experience with HEETF process and fixed assets inventory
•Experience working with VCU Business System, including Banner, Finance Dashboard, Chrome River and RealSource.
•Experience working with Bank of America Works application (for P-Card expense approval).
•Proven familiarity with University, College, and Department policies in the areas of finance, procurement, and records retention.

Typical Licensure

•Certified Public Accountant

Job-Specific Physical and Cognitive Requirements

Physical Demands
Lift lifting (<20 lbs.): marginal
Standing: marginal
Sitting:  essential
Repetitive motion: essential
Walking: marginal
Reaching: marginal
Bending: marginal

Emotional Demands
Fast pace: essential
Average pace: marginal
Multiple stimuli: essential
Intense customer interaction: essential
Frequent change: essential

Mental/Sensory Demands
Memory: essential
Reasoning: essential
Hearing: essential
Reading: essential
Analyzing: essential
Logic: essential
Verbal communication: essential
Written communication: essential

Salary Range: $50,000-$65,000

Position Details:

Department: Office of the Dean, College of Humanities and Sciences
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 1
Exemption Status: Exempt

Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Eligible:  No

Alternative Work Arrangements:  Yes, as established under the current VCU FWA guidelines