Budget Analyst

Syracuse University; City of Syracuse, Northern (NY, KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Syracuse University seeks a Budget Analyst to support budget development, forecasting, reporting, and policy interpretation. Based on the campus in Syracuse, the role emphasizes collaborative partnership across units and careful financial stewardship to advance institutional priorities.

The role reports to the Director of Budget and Planning and requires a bachelor’s degree with at least one year of experience, strong communication skills, and proficiency with financial systems and MS Office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of professional experience with similar functional responsibilities.
• Experience supporting budget development, forecasting, reporting and budget governance.

Responsibilities

• Budget and Financial – Under the direction of the Director, the Budget analyst will assist in the preparation of annual operating budget, salary detail files, budget comparisons, and variance analysis.
• Develop and maintain complex spreadsheets and integrated financial models, including operating initiatives and salaries, to inform annual budget preparation, monthly financial reporting, and long‑range forecasting.
• Monitor, review and process position evaluation requests in accordance with budget and financial objectives, exercising discretion and sound judgement in decision‑making in coordination with primary Budget and Planning team partner.
• Participate and assist with key aspects of estimated final projections, special projects and scenarios related to the University’s budget plan.
• Assist in monitoring spending, including review of expense requests against budget, identifying variances to ensure expenditures do not exceed available resources.
• Prepare, review and process journal entries and budget transfers. Create and run queries to provide financial and budget related information.
• Assist with year‑end closing including reconciliation and review of year‑end reports to ensure accuracy.
• Analysis – Responsible for maintaining comprehensive and timely and accurate information to support financial analysis. Interpret financial results and provide recommendations to support informed decision‑making by university leadership and departmental budget managers.
• Assist with budget analysis, examination of budget proposals and long‑range plans for completeness, accuracy and consistency with established procedures and organizational objectives.
• Analyze budget and accounting reports for anomalies, inconsistencies and trends affecting budget needs and to maintain expenditure controls.
• Reporting – Support University monthly estimated final reporting processes, including variance analysis and preparation of supporting schedules
• Assist in preparation of annual budget session templates, financial reports and schedules for schools and colleges. Provide accurate and timely reporting on school/college initiative funding and commitments.
• Prepare and reconcile ad‑hoc reports as requested for internal use. Develop, create and maintain complex spreadsheets, pivot tables and ad‑hoc reports.
• Support – Provide technical assistance, training, tools and support to University colleagues on the use of financial systems for budgeting and reporting.
• Maintain tools to support accurate and comprehensive financial analysis and budget status reporting. Utilize University AI resources to automate or enhance appropriate work processes.
• Respond to direct inquiries from the University community by advising and counseling regarding budgets, financial transactions and University policy and procedures and best business practices.
• Provide general administrative and analytical support to Office of Budget and Planning Assistant Vice President and Directors as needed.
• Training – Training on an as‑needed basis to maintain and improve effectiveness in position.

Skills

Collaboration

Flexibility

Discretion

Communication

Organization

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Mathematical skills

Problem solving

Adaptability to new software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting/Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Hyperion Planning

Essbase

Claude

Copilot

Job description

Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

Pay Range

Pay Range $70,000 - $80,000

Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level

S5

FLSA Status

Exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours
8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type

Full-time

Unionized Position Code Not Applicable

Job Description

The Office of Budget and Planning seeks a Budget Analyst to support the University’s budget development, financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and budget governance functions. The Budget Analyst provides financial analysis and decision support to University units, ensuring the effective stewardship of University resources and alignment with institutional priorities. Working collaboratively with campus stakeholders, this position assists with budget development, monitoring, forecasting, position management, reporting, and financial policy interpretation.
Reporting to the Director of Budget and Planning, this position will support departmental goals and objectives through effective collaboration and partnership with colleagues and campus stakeholders. Maintains and interprets financial data and performs detailed analysis of budgets, funding sources, and commitments to support strategic goals and objectives for University departments.
This individual will establish and maintain lines of communication with University personnel in support of the development of information required for accurate record keeping, financial analysis, projections and interpretation of policies and procedures.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree preferably in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field.
Minimum of 1 year of professional experience with similar functional responsibilities.

Skills and Knowledge

• Must work collaboratively and cooperatively with University personnel at all levels.
• Ability to respond flexibly and positively in all circumstances, working calmly under pressure.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion regarding sensitive and confidential information.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to present complex financial information to diverse audiences.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to work independently, prioritizing workload under pressure of competing assignments and converging deadlines. Interpret, plan and execute work within guidelines.
• Strong attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy, including generation and maintenance of financial summaries.
• Strong analytical, mathematical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent computers skills including knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications: Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Extensive use and understanding of Hyperion Planning Essbase and AI tools, such as Claude and Copilot preferred.
• Willingness to learn new software applications as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Budget and Financial – Under the direction of the Director, the Budget analyst will assist in the preparation of annual operating budget, salary detail files, budget comparisons, and variance analysis.
• Develop and maintain complex spreadsheets and integrated financial models, including operating initiatives and salaries, to inform annual budget preparation, monthly financial reporting, and long‑range forecasting.
• Monitor, review and process position evaluation requests in accordance with budget and financial objectives, exercising discretion and sound judgement in decision‑making in coordination with primary Budget and Planning team partner.
• Participate and assist with key aspects of estimated final projections, special projects and scenarios related to the University’s budget plan.
• Assist in monitoring spending, including review of expense requests against budget, identifying variances to ensure expenditures do not exceed available resources.
• Prepare, review and process journal entries and budget transfers. Create and run queries to provide financial and budget related information.
• Assist with year‑end closing including reconciliation and review of year‑end reports to ensure accuracy.
• Analysis – Responsible for maintaining comprehensive and timely and accurate information to support financial analysis. Interpret financial results and provide recommendations to support informed decision‑making by university leadership and departmental budget managers.
• Assist with budget analysis, examination of budget proposals and long‑range plans for completeness, accuracy and consistency with established procedures and organizational objectives.
• Analyze budget and accounting reports for anomalies, inconsistencies and trends affecting budget needs and to maintain expenditure controls.
• Reporting – Support University monthly estimated final reporting processes, including variance analysis and preparation of supporting schedules
• Assist in preparation of annual budget session templates, financial reports and schedules for schools and colleges. Provide accurate and timely reporting on school/college initiative funding and commitments.
• Prepare and reconcile ad‑hoc reports as requested for internal use. Develop, create and maintain complex spreadsheets, pivot tables and ad‑hoc reports.
• Support – Provide technical assistance, training, tools and support to University colleagues on the use of financial systems for budgeting and reporting.
• Maintain tools to support accurate and comprehensive financial analysis and budget status reporting. Utilize University AI resources to automate or enhance appropriate work processes.
• Respond to direct inquiries from the University community by advising and counseling regarding budgets, financial transactions and University policy and procedures and best business practices.
• Provide general administrative and analytical support to Office of Budget and Planning Assistant Vice President and Directors as needed.
• Training – Training on an as‑needed basis to maintain and improve effectiveness in position.

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium‑sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro‑area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal‑opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military‑connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class‑leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post‑9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community

Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.