Financial Analyst

Title: Financial Analyst


Employee Classification: Other Professionals


Institution: TCAT-Knoxville


Department: Financial Administration


Campus Location: TCAT Knoxville


Job Summary


The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville is excited to announce a full-time opening for a Financial Analyst, reporting directly to the President and serving our Knoxville campuses. This full-time position works five days per week, 7.5 hours per day, for a minimum of 37.5 hours per week, and plays a vital role in advancing the college's mission to deliver high-quality technical education and strengthen workforce pathways across our region.

The Financial Analyst provides advanced financial analysis, forecasting, budgeting, and strategic decision support for the college. The position analyzes institutional financial performance, develops financial models, monitors budgets, prepares executive reports, and supports data-driven decision making. The Financial Analyst works collaboratively with academic and administrative departments to ensure responsible stewardship of public funds while supporting the college's strategic goals and workforce development mission. This is a strategic role that provides the President and executive leadership with the financial insight needed to make informed, forward-looking decisions.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative professional who is passionate about institutional excellence and committed to supporting sound financial decision-making across the college.

BENEFITS
As a TCAT Knoxville employee, you will have access to the comprehensive Tennessee Board of Regents benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plan plus optional deferred compensation savings; paid annual and sick leave, and paid state holidays; educational assistance programs, including tuition discounts for employees and eligible dependents; wellness plan; and optional benefits such as flexible spending accounts and short- and long-term disability.


Job Duties

• The Financial Analyst provides advanced financial analysis and decision support that informs budgeting, planning, and resource allocation across TCAT Knoxville's campuses. Working closely with the President, executive leadership, and departments throughout the college, the position translates financial data into clear, actionable insight that supports responsible stewardship of public funds and advances the college's strategic and workforce-development goals.
• Financial Planning & Analysis : Develops annual operating and capital budget models, prepares long-range financial forecasts, and analyzes revenues, expenditures, enrollment trends, and workforce funding. Prepares monthly financial dashboards for executive leadership, conducts variance analyses and recommends corrective actions, and monitors departmental budgets and spending patterns.
• Budget Management : Assists departments with budget development; reviews budget requests for accuracy and compliance; monitors budget transfers and amendments; tracks state appropriations and special funding; and prepares quarterly and annual budget reports. Partners closely with departments across the college to coordinate the operational budget, grant accounting and grant budgeting, and the human resources budget, ensuring alignment, accuracy, and shared accountability throughout the budgeting process.
• Data Analysis & Reporting : Analyzes enrollment and tuition-revenue trends, evaluates program cost-effectiveness, and develops financial models that support new programs and capital projects. Performs cost-benefit analyses for strategic initiatives, monitors grant and restricted-fund expenditures, and prepares reports and executive dashboards for the President, the Executive Leadership Team, the Tennessee Board of Regents, state agencies, and auditors.
• Compliance & Audit : Ensures compliance with state regulations, Tennessee Board of Regents policies, college fiscal procedures, grant requirements, and internal controls. Works directly with the Tennessee Board of Regents finance office on the college's behalf, coordinating the exchange of budget and reporting information and communicating on financial matters. Assists with annual audits and supports fiscal year-end closing activities.
• Process Improvement : Recommends improvements to budgeting processes, develops financial procedures and documentation, automates recurring financial reports, and works to improve data accuracy and reporting efficiency. The position requires travel between campuses and occasional additional travel for meetings, events, and training, as well as flexibility to work extended hours to support College initiatives, reporting cycles, and year-end activities.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed in support of the college's financial operations and strategic goals.
• Professional Development : Acquire, maintain, and apply knowledge of current financial, accounting, and analytical methodologies; attend scheduled college and department professional development and in-service activities; and support related professional organizations. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications


• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or related field.
• Five to six years of progressively responsible financial analysis or budgeting experience.


Preferred Qualifications


• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• Higher education finance experience.
• Government or public sector budgeting experience.
• Experience with Banner ERP, Power BI, Microsoft Excel (advanced), and reporting software.
• Hands-on experience with Oracle financial or database systems is highly desirable and considered a strong asset.
• CPA, CMA, or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) certification preferred.


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities


• Advanced financial modeling, budget forecasting, and statistical analysis skills.
• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and public-sector financial reporting.
• Proficiency in data visualization and the development of executive dashboards using tools such as Microsoft Excel and Power BI.
• Excellent critical-thinking, strategic-planning, and project-management abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Excellent attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• High ethical standards and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet reporting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with academic and administrative departments across the college.


Physical Demands / Working Conditions



This position is primarily performed in an office environment and involves frequent use of computers and financial software. The role requires extended periods of sitting and regular use of standard office equipment, along with occasional lifting and transporting of office materials weighing up to 20 pounds. The position requires the ability to attend meetings and travel between campuses as needed and may occasionally require extended hours to meet reporting deadlines and support year-end activities.

SALARY

Commensurate with education and experience according to the Tennessee Board of Regents guidelines, within the range of $68,568 - $90,000.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION & REVIEW

To be considered for a position at TCAT Knoxville, you must create and submit an online application that includes your required documents. Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated based on the information recorded in your application. Please ensure that you include the complete start and end dates under your employment history. Scan and attach the required documents to the online application in Word or PDF format. Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.


REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:


Resume


Educational transcripts/diploma


EMPLOYMENT DOCUMENTS: Current federal law requires identification and eligibility verification prior to employment. Only U.S. citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States may be employed. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check.