Junior Financial Analyst

University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst (MA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is seeking a Junior Financial Analyst to organize and track the Isenberg School's financial operations, perform budget-to-actual analyses, and forecast resources to guide strategic decisions. This role ensures compliance with university policies and supports procurement and accounts payable processes.

Under the Isenberg School, you will prepare financial reports, update models, reconcile accounts in PeopleSoft, and collaborate with Procurement and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field.
• Knowledge of standard accounting principles and procedures with ability to maintain accurate financial records.
• Proficiency in computerized financial spreadsheets and comfort navigating different financial systems.
• Absolute discretion and integrity when handling sensitive financial information.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to balance multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate across campus.

Responsibilities

• Maintains, monitors, and analyzes Isenberg financial accounts to ensure data accuracy and compliance with internal controls.
• Develops and prepares financial reports and conducts trend and variance analyses to drive decisions.
• Evaluates and processes purchase requisitions, invoices, disbursement vouchers, and recharges per university policies; monitors payment workflows.
• Reseaches and resolves financial inquiries from faculty and staff regarding budgets, funds, and policies.
• Reviews and prepares journal entries in PeopleSoft to allocate expenses and ensure audit trails.
• Acts as liaison with Procurement, Accounts Payable, and Controller’s Office to support timely financial processing.
• Performs other duties with accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.

Skills

Accounting knowledge

Financial reporting

Spreadsheet proficiency

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance or related field

Tools

Excel

PeopleSoft

Job description

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Isenberg School Assistant Dean of Financial Operations, the Junior Financial Analyst organizes and tracks the financial operations and fiscal management of school funds, conducts comprehensive budget-to-actual analyses and financial forecasting to guide strategic resource allocation, and processes procurement and accounts payable transactions in compliance with university policies.

Title

Junior Financial Analyst

Executive Area

Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU

Management

Department

Dean - Isenberg School

Work Location

Amherst

Schedule

Full Time

Work Arrangement

Hybrid

Essential Functions

• Maintains, monitors, and analyzes Isenberg financial accounts - including general operating funds, CEI, revenues, and other designated funds - to ensure data accuracy, regulatory compliance, and complete alignment with internal controls.
• Develops and prepares various financial reports and conducts trend and variance analyses by gathering multi-system data and updating core financial models to drive strategic organizational decisions.
• Evaluates and processes purchase requisitions, invoices, disbursement vouchers, and general recharges in compliance with university policies, and monitors payment workflows to ensure timely reimbursement.
• Researches and resolves financial inquiries from faculty and staff regarding financial budgets, fund accounts, and fiscal policies and procedures.
• Reviews and prepares journal entries in PeopleSoft to transfer funds or allocate expenses to the correct accounts, ensuring accurate financial reporting, appropriate supporting documentation, and complete audit trails in accordance with university requirements.
• Serves as a liaison with Procurement, Accounts Payable, and the Controller’s Office to support accurate and timely financial processing.
• Contributes to departmental success by executing ad hoc duties with a strict commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned, consistent with position level.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field) and one (1) year of related experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of standard accounting principles and procedures, with a proven track record of maintaining accurate financial records.
• Proficiency in computerized financial spreadsheets and comfort navigating different financial systems.
• Absolute discretion and integrity when handling sensitive and confidential financial information.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to effectively prioritize workload, balance multiple tasks, and consistently meet established deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively across a diverse campus community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of two (2) years of full-time professional accounting or financial analysis experience.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 25