The Finance Analyst is a critical member of the Morrill Hall Shared Services Team (MHSST). The Finance Analyst reports directly to the teamâ™s Finance Director (CFM) and serves as a member of the MHSST leadership team. The Finance Analyst ensures that accurate and timely financial information is provided to unit leadership by gathering, interpreting, and analyzing data from numerous sources; and serves as the Resource Responsibility Center (RRC) manager and the primary budget liaison with the Office of Budget & Finance for the Office for Equity and Diversity.  This position will be responsible for both sponsored and non-sponsored finance management functions focusing on budgeting, reporting and forecasting, transaction support and approval, and reconciliation.  This position will serve as a member of the teamâ™s grant support and certified approval workgroup.

The Morrill Hall Shared Services Team provides finance and HR support to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and its reporting units (Office of Undergraduate Education, Graduate School, Office for Faculty and Academic Affairs, Office of Public Engagement, Institute for Advanced Study, Distributed Learning, Northrop, U Ticketing, and Weisman Art Museum) as well as the Office of the President and its reporting units (Senate Office, Office of Institutional Compliance, Native American Affairs, Government Relations), Office of University Relations, Office for Equity and Diversity, Office for Student Affairs, Office of the General Counsel, and the Office of the Board of Regents. Its mission is to deliver finance and HR service excellence to the departments servedâ”accomplished through accountability, best practices, communication, diversity and inclusion, integrity and respect. 

This position will primarily work with the Office for Equity and Diversity, although other units may be assigned.  The Office for Equity and Diversity (OED) is the system-wide office that works with campuses, colleges, units, and departments to create an inclusive environment where all members of the University of Minnesota community can thrive. OED units include Disability Resource Center, Equal Opportunity & Title IX, Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life, Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence, Circle of Indigenous Nations (COIN), Office for Conflict Resolution, Office for Supplier Diversity, and Womenâ™s Center.

Salary range for this position is $90,000-$100,000.

This position is a hybrid work position with 3 days/week in the office.

Major Responsibilities 

Unit Financial Activity Management â“ 50% 

• Lead recurring meetings with department leaders and project partners to review financial outcomes, provide variance to budget analysis, and proactively identify risks and opportunities
• Plan and prepare budget planning, financial modeling and resource allocation strategies of the units
• Consult and train on accounting standards and procedures, internal controls and university policy to managers and administrative staff. Educate others as to the allowability of expenses and best practices
• Review and approve all financial documents (i.e. requisitions, vouchers, reimbursements, pcards and journal entries) with consideration to fund availability and budget plan
• Oversee monthly activity and forecast annual performance of operational budgets
• Oversee available funding within designated Foundation Funds
• Communicate with supervisor and departmental leadership regarding potential deficits
• Interpret and apply financial policies to support departmental programming
• Disseminate information to units from various University central offices
• Track commitments and analyze various leadership initiative accounts for assigned units
• Coordinate the transfer of funds across the University system to fulfill leadership commitments

Annual Budget and Compact Process Management â“ 30% 

• In partnership with the CFM, coordinate the complex budget/compact process for OED units.  This includes meeting with RRC/unit leaders to shape budget submissions, suggest reallocations, interpret the budget/compact instructions and provide financial analysis to inform the budget/compact process.  
• Consolidate materials for budget/compact submission to the Office of Budget & Finance and presentation by senior leaders.  Review, balance and submit budget development worksheet.
• Coordinate the budget entry process for assigned RRCâ™
  • Interpret budget instructions for units
  • Set and monitor internal deadlines
  • Review unit budget entry for accuracy and structure
  • Develop and balance several unit budgets 
  • Submit final and balanced RRC budgets to the Office of Budget & Finance.
• Coordinate year-end closeout of operational budgets

Grant management and support â“ 20% 

• Serve as liaison between project leaders (principal investigators) and the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA)
• Maintain knowledge of university policy and grant compliance and assist principal investigators with navigation throughout the project lifecycle.  This includes budget preparation, proposal submission, project kickoff, and project monitoring
• Coordinate pre-/post-award support for assigned departments in conjunction with PIs
• Coordinate with Finance and HR partners to ensure accuracy of grant activity
• Coordinate with SPA/SFR at major milestones during the life of the grant

Essential Qualifications

• BA/BS degree with at least 6 years of related experience in finance, accounting, or business
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple and sometimes competing projects and assignments 
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining effective working relationships 
• Demonstrated record of supporting equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• Documented experience demonstrating discretion, sensitivity, confidentiality and strong judgement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to build and update financial reporting from university systems
• Working knowledge of the Universityâ™s finance policies, procedures, and processes
• Certified Approver status or willingness to become a Certified Approver within the first year (training provided)
• Proficient in working in EFS (Enterprise Financial System), HRMS (PeopleSoft Human Resources), UM Analytics

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

Connections working at University of Minnesota Twin Cities