Strategic Budget & Forecasting Analyst

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah invites applications for Budget Analyst, III within Huntsman Cancer Institute's Finance team in Salt Lake City. This role supports research, outreach, and education department heads and PIs, handling budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis to optimize resources throughout the year.

The Budget Analyst, III reports to the Director of Budget Management and requires strong analytical skills, advanced knowledge of Excel, fund accounting, and financial systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in financial analysis or related field.
• Experience in higher education research environment with fund accounting knowledge preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Excel, PeopleSoft, Anaplan, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Develop an in-depth understanding of supported departments’ work and objectives.
• Prepare financial plans and budgets, ensuring alignment with HCI objectives.
• Assist in annual budget preparation and regularly monitor budget adherence, identifying areas for cost optimization.
• Monitor activities/grants monthly for overspending and work with department head/PI to promptly address.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends and areas for improvement and explain variances.
• Develop and maintain financial models for budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Analyze financial data and build financial models to support decision-making.
• Prepare and present financial reports and analyses to department heads, PIs, and senior leaders, highlighting key findings and recommendations.
• Ensure department heads and PIs understand their sources of financial support and funding use restrictions.
• Develop a deep understanding of HCI /UU financial systems and available data sources; develop data queries and reports as needed.
• Communicate financial information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Respond to ad hoc questions and data requests.
• Assist with annual budget reporting, as needed, including investigation of and compilation of variance explanations.
• Assist with the preparation and tracking of the commitment schedule and recruitment budget.
• Review monthly transactions to ensure accuracy.
• Prepare journal entries for intra-fund transfers and expense corrections.
• Open, update, and inactivate chartfield activities and grants.
• Calculate salary caps and payroll distributions to comply with federal grant requirements.
• Review purchases and contracts to ensure sufficient cash and budget are available.
• Generate accounts receivable invoices for assigned shared resource recharge centers.
• Ensure correct payroll distributions are maintained in the system of record
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy in financial planning, reporting and analysis.
• Participate in the design, implementation, and review of financial and accounting systems.
• Develop and refine budgeting and forecasting methodologies to improve accuracy.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to gather information and develop insights.
• Provide support and guidance to other finance team members.

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial modeling

Forecasting

Communication skills

Excel

PeopleSoft

Anaplan

PowerPoint

Fund accounting

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field

Tools

Finance software (Excel, PeopleSoft, Anaplan)

Job description

University of Utah invites applications for Budget Analyst, III within Huntsman Cancer Institute's Finance team in Salt Lake City. This role supports research, outreach, and education department heads and PIs, handling budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis to optimize resources throughout the year.

The Budget Analyst, III reports to the Director of Budget Management and requires strong analytical skills, advanced knowledge of Excel, fund accounting, and financial systems.