Budget & Financial Data Analyst

George Mason University; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, is seeking a Budget & Financial Data Analyst to support the Fiscal Services department. The role focuses on building budget models, forecasting methodologies, and robust reporting to enable strategic decision-making.

You will collaborate on dashboards with KPIs, ensure data integrity, and train teams on budgeting tools. The position is full-time with hybrid flexibility, offering opportunities to impact university financial planning and governance.

Qualifications

• This position requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• At least two years of professional data analysis or finance operations in a large organization.
• Experience with ERP accounting systems and reporting tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supports the development of strategic financial modeling for budget development, forecasting, financial analysis, data validation and report creation.
• Performs financial analyses for forecasting, trend analysis and variance analysis; assists in the design and development of financial dashboards that include key performance indicators.
• Ensures the integrity of budget data through continuous monitoring, identifying and proposing changes to business processes and data structure to enhance reporting, performing analysis to troubleshoot and resolve data issues, and maintaining appropriate documentation and version control of key reports/analyses supporting submissions to leadership, board of visitors, and the Commonwealth; and
• Provides training on budgeting/forecasting analytical tools and models as well as underlying data or calculations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Skills

Data analysis

Budget/finance operations

Analytical thinking

Oral/written communication

Word processing

Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

ERP accounting systems

Ellucian Banner

MicroStrategy

SQL

Reporting tools

Excel

Job description

Budget & Financial Data Analyst

Job Category: Classified Staff

Department: Fiscal Services

Classification: Financial Svcs Specialist 1

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 visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

Open Until Filled: Yes

Posting Open Date: Aug 26 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: Sep 9 2026

About the Department

Provide fiscal services to the university, promoting financial best practices, forming strategic partnerships, establishing efficient systems, and pursuing continuous improvement. Create and maintain a sustainable financial framework and strong internal controls to promote sound fiscal management, careful stewardship of university resources, and accountability. Foster innovation to support Mason's overall mission by employing new methods to deliver financial services and collaborating on process improvements and new initiatives. Provide accurate and timely financial data to ensure comprehensive reporting, compliance, and analysis to enable strategic decision-making.

About the Position

This position reports the Manager of Data Analytics by providing support for multiple business processes including budget model development, forecasting models/methodologies, and report development.

Responsibilities

• Supports the development of strategic financial modeling for budget development, and forecasting, financial analysis, data validation and report creation;
• Performs financial analyses for forecasting, trend analysis and variance analysis. Assists in the design and development of financial dashboards that include key performance indicators;
• Ensures the integrity of budget data through continuous monitoring, identifying and proposing changes to business processes and data structure to enhance reporting, performing analysis to troubleshoot and resolve data issues, and maintaining appropriate documentation and version control of key reports/analyses supporting submissions to leadership, board of visitors, and the Commonwealth; and
• Provides training on budgeting/forecasting analytical tools and models as well as underlying data or calculations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated professional experience in data analysis, accounting, budget or finance operations in a large complex organization (typically two or more years); or longer tenure with increased responsibility in a smaller organization;
• Accounting training/experience, such as reconciliation, reporting, budget management;
• Experience with ERP accounting and/or budget systems and reporting 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 governmental institution, 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.