Budget Analyst

Description

The Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness by helping individuals and families live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. CUCS provides integrated housing, health, and social services to people with complex needs, including those living with mental illness, medical conditions, and histories of homelessness.

Through a commitment to excellence, accountability, and person centered care, CUCS partners with communities and public systems to deliver high quality services that promote long term stability and well being.

Position Overview

The Budget Analyst plays a key role in supporting the fiscal health and sustainability of the organization through analysis, interpretation, and management of financial data across multiple funding sources, including Federal, State, and City contracts. This position serves as the primary fiscal lead for assigned contracts and funding streams and supports budget management, cost allocation, reimbursement submissions, and compliance monitoring. The Budget Analyst partners closely with Finance and Program leadership to evaluate fiscal risk, interpret funder requirements, and support informed financial decision making. The role contributes directly to funding recovery, audit readiness, and organizational compliance while advancing the mission and values of the Center for Urban Community Services.

Key Responsibilities:

This job posting highlights the primary responsibilities of the role and does not represent a complete job description. The full scope of duties, responsibilities, and performance expectations will be provided in the official job description upon hire.

• Serve as the primary lead owner for an assigned portfolio of contracts and funding sources, with responsibility for determining appropriate fiscal treatment, ensuring compliance, and supporting timely reimbursement.
• Independently interpret funder, regulatory, and contractual requirements and determine allowability of costs, cost allocation methodology, and reporting requirements in accordance with approved plans and policies.
• Prepare, review, and approve budget modifications, reallocations, accruals, and reimbursement submissions for assigned contracts within established thresholds and internal controls.
• Exercise independent judgment in resolving complex or ambiguous fiscal issues related to assigned contracts, escalating only material risks, exceptions, or non-routine matters to Finance leadership.
• Analyze budget-to-actual expenditures, forecasts, and spending trends; identify significant variances; and determine appropriate corrective actions in collaboration with program leadership.
• Advise Finance and program leadership on the fiscal implications, compliance considerations, and funding impact of operational or programmatic changes.
• Develop, maintain, and apply cost allocation methodologies for assigned contracts in accordance with approved plans, ensuring consistency, compliance, and audit readiness.
• Review, validate, and approve journal entries and supporting documentation related to expenses, receivables, reallocations, and cost adjustments for assigned contracts.
• Provide functional fiscal guidance to cost analyst staff by reviewing work products, determining appropriate fiscal treatment, and approving submissions prior to internal or external reporting.
• Prepare and submit financial schedules, supporting documentation, and responses for audits, monitoring visits, and funder reviews, exercising judgment in how fiscal information is presented and supported.
• Evaluate fiscal workflows and internal controls related to assigned contracts and recommend or implement process improvements to strengthen compliance and operational efficiency.
• Serve as a fiscal liaison to assigned programs, independently advising program leadership on budgetary decisions, spending strategies, and compliance requirements.
• Participate in agency-wide budgeting, forecasting, and cross-functional fiscal initiatives, contributing subject-matter expertise and independent analysis.
• Maintain proficiency in all financial, accounting, and contract management systems used by the agency.
• Manage assigned fiscal responsibilities independently, including prioritizing work, meeting deadlines, and adjusting to shifting fiscal and operational demands.
• Communicate proactively and effectively with supervisors and internal stakeholders regarding fiscal determinations, risks, and recommendations.
• Exercise sound professional judgment in identifying issues, determining appropriate courses of action, and escalating matters when necessary.
• Build and maintain collaborative working relationships across departments in support of a mission-driven, compliance-focused work environment.
• Maintain professionalism, accuracy, and composure during peak fiscal cycles, audits, and reporting deadlines.
• Adhere to agency policies, internal controls, and contractual obligations applicable to the role.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope and level of responsibility of this role.

Requirements

• High School Diploma required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, public administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, financial analysis, accounting, or a related fiscal function.
• Experience with reimbursement-based or matrix-funded environments preferred.
• Experience interpreting funder or regulatory fiscal requirements preferred.
• Experience using Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT or comparable nonprofit financial systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong working knowledge of nonprofit fiscal operations, budgeting, and reimbursement structures.
• Ability to independently interpret and apply fiscal policies, regulations, and contractual requirements.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate fiscal data, assess risk, and determine appropriate fiscal actions.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to advise leadership and program staff.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and financial reporting tools.
• Working knowledge of GAAP principles and fiscal compliance standards.