School Finance Data Analyst

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) seeks a School Finance Data Analyst to ensure accurate, transparent financial reporting for Colorado school districts. You will analyze financial data, validate reports, and support federal/state reporting requirements to improve accountability and inform policy decisions.

Under the Finance December team, you will work with district staff to resolve issues, maintain financial datasets, and generate meaningful insights with Excel, SQL, and BI tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, public administration, public policy, education, data analysis, or a related field.
• One to three years of experience with complex data sets and financial reporting.
• Experience in governmental accounting, public sector financial reporting, or related fields preferred.
• Strong Excel skills (PivotTables, XLOOKUP) and ability to learn financial formulas and statutory requirements.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and communicate results to non-financial audiences.

Responsibilities

• Support annual Finance December data collection, including validation, reconciliation, and quality assurance of district financial information.
• Resolve data errors and inconsistencies with district financial staff to ensure accurate reporting.
• Maintain datasets, business rules, edits, reports, and materials for statewide financial data collections.
• Review audits and compare with financial data to identify discrepancies and reporting concerns.
• Prepare statewide and district-level financial reports and respond to internal/external data requests.
• Develop tools and documentation to make financial data accessible to stakeholders.

Skills

Excel

Data analysis

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/accounting/economics/business

Tools

SQL

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

This position is not part of the classified personnel system; applications will be accepted from Residents and Non-Residents of Colorado. Incumbent will be required to live in and complete work for CDE within Colorado.

Colorado Department of Education – What We Do

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support, and accountability to the state's 184 school districts, 1,886 schools, over 53,000 teachers, and over 3,200 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state's approximately 905,000 public school students. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute. As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education, CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data. CDE is a values-based agency that serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance. CDE strives to incorporate five core values that we uphold in our work internally and externally. If you come to CDE, be prepared to incorporate Integrity, Equity, Accountability, Trust, and commitment to Service in what you do.

Why Work For CDE

The work we do is rewarding and impacts the students, families, educators, and communities across Colorado. Our leadership also promotes a culture that puts families and self-care as a priority. Along with meaningful work and an environment that puts employees first, the state also offers rich benefits that intend to make us an Employer of Choice!

• Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid working environment.
• Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options. All with a generous employer contribution keeping employee costs as low as possible.
• Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance.
• Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals.
• Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) www.copera.org.
• Employer-paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply).
• Paid professional development opportunities.

A wide salary range is posted for this position, and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority relative to others performing substantially similar work. While most salary offers are made within the posted range, occasionally an offer is made below or above the posted range based upon this salary analysis.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Work Environment

This position is full-time, funded by state funding (funding is contingent upon availability), and is eligible for a hybrid work environment.

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• 5% Travel required within Denver Metro/Downtown for Meetings/Training
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the work location per business needs
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
  • LIGHT/Office environment:
    • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
    • May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally.
    • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
    • Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
  • DL Not Required: Required to independently obtain and determine means, and complete required travel. (For positions that only report to CDE locations and can use public transportation to complete that.)

Position Overview

Join the Colorado Department of Education as a School Finance Data Analyst and help ensure accurate, transparent, and reliable financial reporting for school districts across the state. Use your financial analysis, data management, and problem-solving skills to strengthen accountability and support informed decisions that impact Colorado students.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the School Finance Data & Reporting Manager, the School Finance Data Analyst supports the collection, validation, analysis, and reporting of financial information for Colorado school districts and BOCES. The position performs detailed financial data analysis, reviews district financial reports and annual audits, supports state and federal reporting requirements, and provides technical assistance to school districts. The Analyst is responsible for helping ensure that financial information collected and reported by the Public School Finance Unit is accurate, timely, and useful to districts, CDE leadership, policymakers, and the public. The position also supports the Unit's broader fiscal monitoring efforts by identifying financial trends reporting concerns and audit issues.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Support administration of the annual Finance December data collection, including review, validation, reconciliation, analysis, and quality assurance of financial information submitted by school districts and BOCES.
• Work directly with district financial staff to resolve data errors, reporting inconsistencies, and reconciliation issues and ensure accurate and complete financial reporting.
• Maintain financial datasets, documentation, business rules, edits, reports, and other materials supporting statewide financial data collections.
• Review school district and BOCES annual financial audits and compare audit information with Finance December and other financial data to identify discrepancies, compliance concerns, and unusual financial conditions.
• Assist with identification, documentation, tracking, and resolution of Material Deficiencies, Late Filings, and other audit or financial reporting findings.
• Support financial accreditation, fiscal monitoring, and district fiscal health and early warning activities using audit, financial, and other available data.
• Prepare, validate, and support recurring state and federal financial reports, including the National Public Education Finance Survey, U.S. Census reporting, financial transparency reporting, and assigned indirect cost calculations.
• Prepare statewide and district-level reports and respond to internal and external requests for school finance and financial data.
• Analyze district revenues, expenditures, fund balances, staffing, and other fiscal indicators, including historical, comparative, and trend analysis.
• Support analysis of legislative and policy proposals and connect district financial data with enrollment, school finance funding, and operational information.
• Develop reports, analytical tools, and other resources that make financial information accessible and useful to districts, CDE leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Provide direct technical assistance, guidance, and training to districts and BOCES regarding Finance December, Chart of Accounts, financial transparency, audits, and other financial reporting requirements.
• Develop and maintain written guidance, training materials, standard operating procedures, and documentation for assigned responsibilities.
• Participate in cross-training, quality assurance, and peer review to provide backup coverage and ensure accuracy of critical reports.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, public administration, public policy, education, data analysis, or a related field.
• Relevant professional experience may substitute for education as permitted by CDE and State of Colorado personnel requirements.

Qualifications and Conditions

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience working with complex data sets
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience working in a financial setting
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience working in governmental accounting, finance, public policy, auditing, or a related field.
• Intermediate to Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience working with financial or other complex datasets.
• Experience performing financial, fiscal, data, and/or policy analysis.
• Ability to learn and apply complex financial formulas and statutory requirements.
• Capacity to work independently and without supervision
• Experience analyzing, interpreting, recommending, or implementing policies and procedures.
• Experience or interest in creating, developing, or refining standard operating procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify inconsistencies in data and calculations.
• Ability to perform calculations, reconciliations, projections, and data quality reviews accurately.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, recurring processes, and quickly changing priorities.
• Strong customer service skills and professional communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to explain complex financial or technical topics to non-financial audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to independently research and resolve issues.

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required)

• Experience in K–12 school finance, governmental accounting, or public-sector financial reporting.
• Experience reviewing financial statements, audits, and identifying financial discrepancies.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP, and complex formulas.
• Experience with SQL, Power BI, Tableau, or similar data analysis tools.
• Experience in financial data collection, reconciliation, quality assurance, and regulatory reporting.

Conditions of Employment (Required)

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• Ability and willingness to independently determine, obtain means, and complete required travel.

Step Pay Program Guidelines

Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30