Senior Financial Analyst

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice

Position Summary

The Facilities and Capital Planning department is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst to support the departments financial operations including capital project and revenue activities.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Finance and Administration the Senior Financial Analyst will support financial management for capital projects by conducting regular financial reconciliations preparing financial reports assisting with project maintenance and collaborating with capital planning stakeholders to ensure complete and accurate financial statements. This role will also support billing activities for the project management team and provide financial support for decentralized functions within the addition this position will serve as critical backup for key departmental functions including payroll cost center management and other operational and administrative responsibilities.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented service-focused financial professional with experience in project accounting financial management and accounting reconciliations preferably within a higher education or other institutional environment. They thrive in a collaborative setting bring a proactive and thoughtful approach to problem-solving and develop solutions within established campus policies and guidelines. The successful candidate combines strong technical expertise with excellent communication and organizational skills to uphold high standards of financial accuracy and accountability.

Workplace Requirements

This position is a hybrid role with an on-campus presence Rice policy 440 work arrangements may be subject to change. This position is classified as essential and may require on-site or remote work to support critical operations during emergencies such as severe weather events. The role requires the ability to traverse campus to attend meetings both on and off campus and to enter a variety of campus facilities as needed.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time benefits-eligible position and the salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Exempt (salaried) positions underFLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors Degree

• 3 years of experience leading a team of accounting or administrative professionals

Skills:

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

• Advanced knowledge of enterprise resource planning and financial systems

• Ability to record general ledger transactions and create journal entries; advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles

• Proven track record of handling sensitive financial information and maintaining integrity in financial reporting

• Advanced professional communication skills including the ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences client groups and management

• Strong project management skills and the ability to contribute to or lead part of a multifunctional team

Preferences

• Masters degree or Bachelors degree in Business Administration Finance Accounting or another business-related field

• Experience working in an academic or similarly mission-driven setting specifically in higher education and/or an institutional environment

• Experience with project or grant accounting including completing journal entries reconciliations and reporting for multiple projects

Essential Functions

• Performs complex and detailed reconciliations period-end close activities research and critical financial analyses including the preparation and review of journal entries

• Reviews construction cost models and uploads approved models into the departments financial system

• Develops recommends implements and documents new or revised accounting policies and procedures in accordance with university guidance and established protocols

• Identifies prioritizes and resolves complex financial issues that may span multiple functional areas; diagnoses root causes identifies exceptions recommends solutions and collaborates with stakeholders to ensure implementation

• Researches accounting and financial issues and recommends solutions to department leadership based on audit results report reviews and business needs; advises leadership on business activities; prepares cost analyses; plans and conducts financial studies; and determines business activity costs

• Develops and prepares complex financial data metrics and reports for a variety of internal and external audiences including capital project cash flow statements

• Evaluates existing systems and processes to identify efficiency improvements strengthen internal controls and incorporate new or changing regulations; recommends solutions that may require policy changes or new processes

• Serves as a subject matter expert or consultant in a specialized area; contributes to and/or leads projects within the work unit department or across functions

• Collaborates effectively with on-campus business partners and external stakeholders demonstrating a positive and service-oriented mindset

• Supports billing activities for Capital Planning and other decentralized departmental functions

• May serve as a lead or technical expert and provide guidance training or direction to less experienced staff

• Establishes and maintains a regular meeting cadence and convenes ad hoc meetings with key departmental stakeholders to review project status financial performance funding and closeout activities

• Performs other related duties as assigned

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