Financial Analyst

🔍Dean of Research, Stanford, California, United States📁Finance📅Jan 28, 2026 Post Date📅108102 Requisition #

The Stanford Center on China's Economy and Institutions (SCCEI) is a joint effort of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR). FSI is Stanford University’s primary interdisciplinary research and teaching institute on international policy and international affairs. SIEPR is Stanford University’s home for understanding the economic challenges, opportunities, and policies affecting people in the United States and around the world.

SCCEI is Stanford’s home for empirical, multidisciplinary research on China’s economy. SCCEI focuses on empirical work to bridge the divide between academic research and the real‑life policies guiding U.S.

-China relations, create transformative student experiences, and advance public understanding of China’s economy and its impact on the world.

The Financial Analyst, reporting to faculty leadership, oversees the majority of SCCEI’s day‑to‑day financial operations, including planning and forecasting activities. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, approving transactions, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring that all incurred costs comply with Stanford University policies.

The role also includes financial forecasting across all Center revenue sources and expenses; establishing and tracking financial objectives to assess progress toward budgetary targets; and recommending budget adjustments as needed. Additional responsibilities include preparing and submitting the Center’s annual budget in the university system, managing mid‑year variance reports, and participating in fiscal year‑end close activities.

The Financial Analyst convenes quarterly and annual financial review meetings with Center leadership and develops tools to evaluate the feasibility of the Center’s financial commitments and associated trade‑offs. This position works closely with FSI and the Office of the Dean of Research to monitor and exchange financial data.

This is a two (2) year fixed‑term position. For consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter.

• Perform structured analysis; conduct data mining; identify, clarify, and investigate discrepancies and exceptions; proactively develop solutions and processes.
• Maintain, reconcile, review, combine, and validate financial data sets and accounts, utilizing financial reports, financial databases, and key financial information.
• Contribute to development of budget, forecasting, and analyses to be used for key activities or decision making.
• Run and analyze financial reports, often from multiple systems; assist in preparation of management information reports.
• Resolve issues within immediate work unit;
  Perform preliminary analysis, recognize exceptions and recommend solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes.
• Ensure work complies with complex internal policies and external regulations which may require interpretation.
• Participate as a member of a project team and contribute to change management strategy through communication and collaboration with others.
• Serve as a first line resource to client groups on matters in work unit.
• Understand and participate in cross training on core functions in work area or unit; serve as a back‑up to other functions.
• May supervise the day‑to‑day activities and provide on‑the‑job coaching and training to other staff, as needed.

Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:

• Advanced proficiency in business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.
• User knowledge and demonstrated experience of financial systems, internet and computer literacy.
• Understanding and ability to apply basic accounting skills and concepts.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal audiences and client groups.
• Interest in…