Financial Analyst

JOB SUMMARY  

Southeastern University is seeking a Financial Analyst to support the university's financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and institutional reporting functions. This role supports the annual budget cycle, monthly variance analysis, and the development of dashboards and ad hoc analyses for leadership.

This is an entry-to-mid-level role with a defined promotion path to Senior Financial Analyst.

The ideal candidate is analytically curious, detail-oriented, and eager to grow within a building FP&A function. This role is based on the Lakeland campus and reports to the Vice President of Finance.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 

Reports to: Vice President of Finance

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but is not limited to the following: 

(Other duties may be assigned.)

Budget Support
Support the annual budget build and the budget-manager workbook process
Assist with the Jenzabar GL budget upload and budget-to-GL reconciliation

Variance & Reporting
Prepare monthly variance analysis and departmental budget-vs-actual reports
Assist with Finance Committee and Board reporting packages
Support month-end close reporting tie-outs with the Controller's office

Forecasting & Analysis
Maintain forecasting models and enrollment-to-revenue tracking
Perform ad hoc financial analyses to support decision-making

Data & Systems
Extract and transform data via SQL from Jenzabar and other source systems
Build and refresh Power BI dashboards and reporting tools 

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

{{Additional/Non-Essential Duties - in the context of ADA - the functions could be assigned to another individual, or adjusted, to allow a disabled person to hold the position}}

All remaining duties are considered "nonessential" within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position.  Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

LOCATION 

Lakeland Main Campus 

EDUCATION   

Required Education:

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, data analytics, or related field

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in finance, accounting, economics, data analytics, or related field

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

N/A

EXPERIENCE 

Required:

One to three years of analytical experience (internships considered)
Commitment to the mission and values of Southeastern University 

Preferred:

Experience in higher education finance
Experience with Jenzabar or comparable higher education ERP  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and analytical rigor
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred:

Familiarity with SQL, Power BI, or other data analysis and visualization tools 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. 

• This position is considered Non-Essential for the purposes of Emergency Response.

Physical Requirements: 

This position operates in a standard office environment and requires the ability to sit for extended periods, use a computer and standard office equipment, communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically, and occasionally move about the office or campus. The employee may occasionally lift or move items up to 20 pounds, such as files, office supplies, or financial records. Extended hours may be required during month-end close, fiscal year-end close, audits, budget preparation, financial reporting deadlines, and other peak accounting or operational periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Office Environment: Ability to work primarily in an office setting, which involves sitting for extended periods.

Computer Use: Proficiency in using computers for various tasks, which requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity for typing and handling office equipment.

Communication: Strong verbal communication skills for meetings, presentations, and interactions with staff, students, and parents.

Mobility: Capability to move around the office and campus as needed for meetings and events.

Standing: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time for meetings and events.

Lifting: Occasionally lift and carry items such as files, documents, or small office equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.

Visual Requirements: Ability to read and interpret data on computer screens and printed documents.

Hearing and Speaking: Adequate hearing to participate in conversations and phone calls, and clear speaking ability for effective communication.

Travel:

0–5%; occasional travel may be required for university meetings, training, conferences, or professional development opportunities.

Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be required during periods of high volume, peak operational need, fiscal year-end, or special projects.

TRAINING

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee can transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended in order to receive more training, or employment can be terminated. Required compliance training is as follows:

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee may transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended to allow for additional training, or have employment terminated.
Required training may include Jenzabar/J1, cybersecurity, FERPA, GLBA, institutional budgeting and financial reporting processes, data security and confidentiality requirements, and applicable Finance and Business Office policies and procedures, as assigned and applicable to the position. Additional training related to federal student aid, student accounts, PCI/payment card handling, or cash-handling and deposit procedures may be required based on assigned responsibilities and system access.

SAFETY 

• SEU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. 
• Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. 
• Work-related injuries must be immediately reported to Security and Human Resources. When life or limb are at risk, please dial 911. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the incident. 
• Emergency Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations.  Dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to this position, unless instructed otherwise by your direct supervisor or a member of the Leadership Team.  

SCREENING

All full-time positions at SEU are deemed security-sensitive and require background checks. Employees required to drive their own personal vehicle, a rental car or an SEU vehicle in performance of their duties must pass an MVR records check and meet the requirements of the University’s insurance carrier in order to meet the requirements of the position.

DISCLAIMER

SEU is an at-will employer.  This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

 SEU is committed to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All forms of discrimination against or harassment of a person because of his or her identification within a protected category are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies equally to conduct by and against employees, vendors, visitors, and students.

Southeastern University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. The equal opportunity policy will apply in University programs and activities, and all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. All employees of Southeastern University, by continued employment, agree to abide by the policies contained in the Employee Handbook and in the SEU Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant.