Budget & Financial Data Analyst

George Mason University; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University is seeking a Financial Data Analytics Specialist to support budget model development, forecasting models, and reporting. You will analyze financial data, assist in dashboard development, and ensure data integrity across financial reports for leadership and governance bodies.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience with ERP systems, and proficiency in Microsoft Office; hybrid work arrangements are available in Fairfax, VA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two or more years of professional data analysis, accounting, budgeting or finance operations in a large organization.
• Experience with ERP accounting and/or budget systems and reporting tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; strong analytical and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Supports development of strategic financial modeling for budget development and forecasting.
• Performs financial analyses for forecasting, trend and variance analysis; contributes to dashboards with KPIs.
• Ensures data integrity through monitoring, data structure improvements, and documentation/version control for reports and analyses.
• Provides training on budgeting/forecasting analytical tools and models.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

SQL

MicroStrategy

Ellucian Banner

Job description

Department: Fiscal Services

Classification: Financial Svcs Specialist 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visasponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education andexperience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department

Provide fiscal services to the university, promoting financial bestpractices, forming strategic partnerships, establishing efficientsystems, and pursuing continuous improvement. Create and maintain asustainable financial framework and strong internal controls topromote sound fiscal management, careful stewardship of universityresources, and accountability. Foster innovation to support Mason’soverall mission by employing new methods to deliver financialservices and collaborating on process improvements and newinitiatives. Provide accurate and timely financial data to ensurecomprehensive reporting, compliance, and analysis to enablestrategic decision-making.

About the Position

This position reports the Manager of Data Analytics by providingsupport for multiple business processes including budget modeldevelopment, forecasting models/methodologies, and reportdevelopment.

Responsibilities

Financial Modeling, Analysis & Reporting

• Supports the development of strategic financial modeling forbudget development, and forecasting, financial analysis, datavalidation and report creation;
• Performs financial analyses for forecasting, trend analysis andvariance analysis. Assists in the design and development offinancial dashboards that include key performance indicators;
• Ensures the integrity of budget data through continuousmonitoring, identifying and proposing changes to business processesand data structure to enhance reporting, performing analysis totroubleshoot and resolve data issues, and maintaining appropriatedocumentation and version control of key reports/analysessupporting submissions to leadership, board of visitors, and theCommonwealth; and
• Provides training on budgeting/forecasting analytical tools andmodels as well as underlying data or calculations.

Performs other related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or the equivalentcombination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated professional experience in data analysis,accounting, budget or finance operations in a large complexorganization (typically two or more years); or longer tenure withincreased responsibility in a smaller organization;
• Accounting training/experience, such as reconciliation,reporting, budget management;
• Experience with ERP accounting and/or budget systems andreporting tools;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point; and
• Exhibit good analytical, research, technical, and presentation(oral/written) skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in related field;
• Experience in higher ed institution, public governmentalinstitution, or other large complex organization;
• Experience with Ellucian Banner, MicroStrategy, SQL;
• Knowledge or Commonwealth budget practices/fund accounting;and
• Knowledge of Higher Education budgeting best practices.

Posting Open Date: August 26, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: September 9, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 researchuniversity committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperousworld. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largestand most diverse public research university in Virginia, offeringdegree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment forstudents, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. Webelieve in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancingour mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; andwe believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity oforigin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionemployer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in itscommunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration foremployment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability orveteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available athttp://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/