Finance Analyst

Vista College Preparatory; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare plans

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off (PTO)

Wellness Fridays

Professional development & equipment

Job summary

Vista College Prep is seeking a Finance Analyst to support budgeting, forecasting, compliance reporting, and day-to-day financial operations. You will partner with the Finance Team, principals, and managers to ensure alignment with Vista’s goals and governance requirements.

The role emphasizes independent work, ownership of recurring duties, and proactive communication. You will report to the Director of Finance and contribute to monthly forecasts and system optimizations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or related field.
• 2+ years of finance experience focused on budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets for model building.
• Valid Arizona IVP fingerprint clearance card.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support budgeting, forecasting, compliance reporting, and day-to-day financial operations.
• Collaborate with Finance Team, principals, and other stakeholders.
• Distribute templates, monitor budgets, and enter allocations.
• Prepare quarterly invoices and assist with audits and board meetings.
• Forecast monthly, perform cost analyses, and develop ad-hoc analyses.
• Draft quarterly/annual compliance reports for financing obligations.

Skills

Self-starter

Attention to detail

Verbal & written communication

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial analysis

Reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Google Sheets

Sage Intacct

Edstruments

Claude

ChatGPT

Job description

Why Vista?Vista College Prep empowers all children to aim higher and go further by providing them with access to a top quality education that prepares them for competitive high schools, colleges, and the world beyond. At Vista, we blend excellence, joy, community, and transparency to create a unique educational experience. We cultivate an environment where children love to learn together, teachers love teaching, and leaders love leading.As a team at Vista, we are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. We are especially committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences of our students because we believe the best work we do is grounded in the realities and experiences of our students and families. We believe that diversity is crucial for effecting lasting change, is one of our greatest strengths, and is a critical element of reaching the full potential of our team and community. Join us!ROLE MISSIONThe Finance Analyst supports budgeting, forecasting, compliance reporting, and day-to-day financial operations. In this role, you will work closely with the Finance Team, principals, assistant principals, department managers, and other internal and external stakeholders to support finance-related processes in alignment with Vista’s goals and compliance requirements. This role is built for a self-starter who can work independently, take ownership of recurring duties and deadlines, and communicate proactively. This role reports to the Director of Finance.YOUR IMPACTBudget ManagementFacilitate the annual budget planning process by distributing templates to budget owners, providing support, and entering approved allocations into the budget system.Monitor expenditures against budget allocations and meet monthly with budget owners to help them manage spending effectively.Maintain approved budgets in the budget system throughout the year, reallocating expenses as needed.Configure and optimize the budget system to give users access to automated, up-to-date financial reports and dashboards.Administer the budget system, including maintaining user accounts, training staff, and working with the software vendor to resolve issues.Financial OperationsSupport accounts payable by reviewing and approving invoices, and credit card expenses, ensuring each is within budget, properly coded, and compliant with procurement policies.Manage and reconcile the open purchase order list each month, including working with budget owners to close POs or match them to invoices.Prepare and submit recurring quarterly invoices to external organizations.Assist with gathering documentation and compiling data for audits, board meetings, and external stakeholders.Forecasting & Financial AnalysisUpdate Vista’s financial forecast and long-term financial model each month and prepare updates for finance leadership.Prepare monthly cost analyses for high-spend areas such as health claims, nutrition programs, payroll, and student transportation.Prepare ad-hoc financial analysis as needed to support operational decision-making and overall financial sustainability.Compliance & ReportingDraft quarterly and annual compliance reports for Vista’s bond and financing obligations, including submissions for bond trustees, state financing authorities, facilities lenders, and rating agencies.Additional ResponsibilitiesParticipate in weekly check-ins with the Director of Finance, including providing updates on budget status, regular duties, and current projects.Attend Finance Team, Finance Committee, and vendor meetings, sharing information and raising questions or concerns as needed.Assist with special projects or temporary assignments to support the Network Team.Compensation: In recognition of our team members’ impact, Vista offers a comprehensive, flexible, and competitive compensation package to support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families.Competitive base salaries reflective of our local market plus candidate experience and education levelRobust healthcare plans for full-time staff, with health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance plans at very low cost in monthly premiums and $0 copays, plus confidential, 24/7, no-cost mental health resources and a healthcare concierge service to support your overall experience using your plansRetirement benefits through a 401k with John Hancock and up to a 3% employer match12 days of PTO, parental leave, and a school calendar with paid holidays and Wellness Fridays built in strategically to support the sustainability of our workAll the tools needed to succeed, including all curricular materials, quality professional development, classroom supplies, laptop computers for staff and 1:1 devices for studentsOpportunities for leadership, growth, and advancement on our teamRequiredBachelor’s degree and 2+ years of finance experience focused on budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and reportingSelf-starter who can work independently, manage recurring deadlines, and take ownership of tasksProficiency with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets to support model building and maintenanceHigh attention to detail and excellent verbal, written, and organizational skillsValid Arizona IVP fingerprint clearance cardCommitment to Vista’s mission and visionPreferredExperience in school finance or working in a school environmentExperience using Sage Intacct, Edstruments, or other accounting and budgeting systemsKnowledge of AI platforms such as Claude and ChatGPT