Budget and Financial Analyst in Indianapolis, Indiana

Budget Analyst

With a $4.5 billion budget, Indiana University continues to evolve and adapt to fiscal challenges as the higher education landscape continues to change. As a budget analyst within the Indiana University Budget Office, this role serves as an objective and trusted partner in the financial review and analysis of 1 or more campuses and University Administration units.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Collaborates closely with campus and unit leadership to support strategic financial planning, conduct quarterly financial reviews, analyze financial performance, and synthesize complex financial information into actionable insights for university leadership.
• Helps promote sound fiscal stewardship and informed decision-making across the university through data-driven analysis and effective communication.
• Analyzes budget requests and recommends campus or Responsibility Center (RC) budgetary requirements for executive recommendations.
• Provides information and recommendations to university officials and campus or RC finance administrators regarding specific phases of budget preparation and presentation.
• Prepares budget instructions and makes recommendations for improving budgetary processes and procedures.
• Reviews campus or RC budget proposals for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with laws, other regulations, and internal policy.
• Monitors budgetary variances and works with assigned campus or RC on any adjustments or analysis needed.
• Applies the doctrines, theories, and practices within the field of budget and financial analysis and administration.
• Evaluates the impact of federal, state, and University internal budget policies, and produces
• Prepares technical budget documents and reports in support of the Chief Financial Officer and the University.
• Provides guidance to the lead finance administrators of an assigned campus or RC.
• Handles highly sensitive and confidential information and situations with objectivity, candor, and confidence.
• Reviews budget adjustments and other financial transactions for compliance, administration alignment, and appropriateness.
• Processes transactions to distribute budgets awarded across the university.

General Responsibilities

• Analyzes, prepares, and recommends financial data to determine past financial performance and to project financial probability and fiscal impact of management decisions and policies.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to develop large-scale annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and long-term financial plans. Reviews budget requests and recommends campus or department budgetary requirements for executive recommendations.
• Prepares strategic and complex scenarios to anticipate various outcomes based on different assumptions.
• Performs budgetary controls over large department or campus.
• Builds and maintains financial models to support decision-making, creating models for forecasting, cost analysis, and capital expenditures.
• Evaluates the impact of federal, state, and university internal budget policies, and produces technical budget documents and reports.
• Create variance analysis reports to compare actual performance against budgeted figures.
• Presents findings to leadership using tools such as spreadsheets, charts, graphs, and technical reports.

Qualifications Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education. EDUCATION

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

• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

• 5 years in finance, financial administration, accounting, or related field

• Higher Education experience, in budget forecasting or financial analysis

SKILLS

• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication in daily interactions.
• Ability to clearly articulate specific information in area of subject matter expertise.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Working knowledge of budgetary procedures and best practices.
• Ability to synthesize information and provide advice to researchers, administrators, faculty, and business managers.

• Conflict resolution and relationship management skills, with the ability to navigate differing perspectives, build consensus, and maintain productive partnerships across diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and financial reporting skills, including advanced proficiency in Excel and the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and communicate insights effectively to support decision-making.
• Ability to clearly present financial material to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to interpret financial documents from an accounting, policy, and practice perspective.
• Familiarity and experience with IU policies, procedures, and systems, including KFS and IUIE.

Working Conditions / Demands This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and…