Forecasting/Budget Analyst

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The budget analyst provides analyses of current and projected financial activities for a wide-range of operations and funding sources within the university. The position supports the campus budget process through use of the UMPlan budget model culminating in financial presentations to university senior leadership. The analyst monitors and reports on variances to budgets and communicates with financial staff throughout the campus.

Essential Functions

• Monitor and forecast budget activity for campus operations. Prepare reports and communications on actual balances and variances to managers and campus departments.
• Allocation of department budgets for initial year budgets, carryover budget balances and additional budget requests during the year. Staff member would verify budgets to be allocated including calculation of appropriate amounts (as necessary), determine/recommend appropriate funding source(s) and departments to which transfers should be made. This task would also provide documentation, tracking and reporting on a periodic basis.
• Prepare complex reports including data retrieval via queries and dashboards as well as interpretation of data to forecast and verify results as well as answer department and senior management questions.
• Understands accounting principles and evaluates the impact of transactions on the campus financial ratios.
• Monitor appropriate expenditure of state and tuition funds (resident and non-resident) each fiscal year.
• Assist with the campus annual budget process including campus use of the UM Plan budget system. This task involves training campus users, providing support for department users and validation of department plans.
• Assist with the revenue operation budget process including annual budget preparation and approval, periodic monitoring and reporting on budget status, as well as insuring appropriate allocation and use of funds.
• Provides support to department budget managers and Executive Financial Officers including:
  • Explain Budget Allocations
  • Explain Monthly, Mid-Year and Year-End Reports
  • Explain SUMMIT and People Soft Reports
  • Work with the Controller's Office and campus departments to resolve budget problems
  • Explain/clarify budget office policies and procedures
• Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.

Other Functions

• Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policy.
• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
• Understands and contributes to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.
• Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or like field
• More than 3 years experience
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to communication effectively orally and in writing
• Proficient in microcomputer applications (spreadsheets, word processing, graphics, etc.)
• Ability to create reports and queries from an enterprise management system like PeopleSoft
• Knowledge of basic accounting and budgeting principles
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Exceptional organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master's degree in business, finance, accounting or like field

Salary Information

Level 27

Exempt Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.