Budget Analyst

Budget Analyst

The Budget Analyst plays a key role in the University's financial planning and budget administration. This position assists with the preparation and implementation of the annual operating and summer budgets, monitors financial performance, analyzes variances, and ensures compliance with University policies, state regulations, and the System requirements. The Budget Analyst also reviews and approves personnel actions, coordinates payroll reconciliations, and serves as a liaison among Academic Affairs, Human Resource Management, Payroll, colleges, and departments. This position is responsible for overseeing budgetary processes and providing guidance across the University.

Annual Budgeting

• Assist in the development and implementation of the University's annual operating budget through the collection and interpretation of financial data necessary for the compilation of the University's Operating Budget Request and applicable schedules and reports for submission to external agencies. This responsibility will involve external interaction with the State Division of Administration, the Legislative Fiscal Office, the Louisiana Board of Regents and the university's System Office, as well as interaction with the University's Academic Deans, Directors and Heads of all budgetary units.
• Collaborate with the Provost, Academic Deans, Department Heads/Chairs, and business managers to ensure accurate and timely budget preparation.
• Compile and distribute the University's Summer Budget. This includes reviewing and advising the provost on summer session teaching budget and the preparation and distribution of the summer academic instructions.
• Assist in managing the budget calendar to ensure deadlines are met and submissions are accurate and complete. Actively monitors progress throughout the process and manages the work of others to ensure submissions are complete and on time.
• Communicate key aspects of the budget by creating a variety of budget reports, graphs, charts, tables and information tailored to the needs of different audiences (University leadership, Vice Presidents, Deans, Chairs, Heads of Budgetary Units, the System, Louisiana Board of Regents, department business managers/fiscal officers).
• Assist with the preparation of Agency BA-7's and submits to appropriate state offices.

Personnel Actions & Payroll Reconciliation

• Process and approve personnel actions to monitor the disbursement of funds and ensure budgetary compliance by ensuring that the allocated funds have been spent procedurally according to policy; maintain data for such actions via Excel, a database, and/or other financial analysis software. Interact with Business Managers as necessary to resolve potential budgetary problems related to the personnel actions.
• Analyze transactions related to personnel expenditures and prepare related reports; reconcile these transactions to the University's financial records and work in conjunction with the Payroll, HRM and other departments to resolve discrepancies.
• Provide support to financial areas performing analyses and prepare budget reports that assist in projecting salary expenditures.
• Prepare budget adjustments and expenditure reports related to the allocation of costs for personnel services; provide projections to support workforce planning.
• Work collaboratively with Academic Affairs, Payroll, Human Resource Management, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to establish a timetable for meeting personnel action processing deadlines.
• Serve as point of contact for correcting payroll distribution errors in general fund departments, auxiliaries, and restricted fees.
• Conduct training for college and department staff on personnel actions, budget procedures, budget transfers, addressing budget exceptions, and compliance.

Budget Monitoring & Analysis

• Manage day-to-day budget activities, including review of vacancy requests, personnel actions, and budget amendments.
• Review budget-to-actual performance across colleges and departments; prepare quarterly reports on department and college spending for University leadership.
• Provide direction and counsel to academic and staff personnel to assist them in understanding budget reports and related data, in controlling their budgets, and in meeting budgetary requirements.
• Provide training workshops for business managers and fiscal officers on budget processes, personnel actions, and compliance requirements.
• Assist with the budget control process designed to inform colleges and departments of potential deficits, which will require continuously updating the university budget through numerous budget amendments and the monitoring of budget-to-actual performance within the financials system.
• Assist in preparing statistical reports showing the impact of budget decisions made by senior management. Provide budgetary and analytical support to the University and leadership team.
• Assist the Associate Vice President for Budget, Finance and Systems in the development and implementation of process improvements and applications relative to the current budget process and used to reconcile transactions related to personnel expenditures to the University's financial records.
• Assist with the investigation and analysis of budget variances on an ongoing basis. Recommends corrective action when results do not meet budget expectations.

Financial & Budget Systems

• Assist with maintaining the financial chart of accounts in financial, budget, and student systems.
• Support the implementation, testing, and ongoing improvement of budget and financial management systems.
• Provide training and assistance to system users to ensure accurate and effective use.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy in budgeting and reporting.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President for Budget, Finance, and Systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, financial planning, or fiscal management, including a minimum of 1 year of accounting work experience.
• Demonstrated experience with budget preparation, financial analysis, and reconciliation of expenditures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial analysis tools.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, budgeting practices, and financial reporting.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree with 9 semester hours in accounting.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in higher education or public sector budgeting.
• Experience with ERP systems and budget management software.
• Familiarity with Louisiana state regulations, System policies, and higher education financial practices.

Reporting Structure

The Budget Analyst reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Budget, Finance, and Systems, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Provost for Academic Affairs–related budget matters.

Required Attachments

• Detailed resume listing relevant qualifications and experience;
• Cover Letter indicating why you are a good fit for the position and University of Louisiana Systems;
• Names and contact information of three references;

Applications that do not include the required uploaded documents may not be considered.