Budget/Business Analyst

Budget/Business Analyst

University of Southern California

Provost Finance/Enrollment Management

About USC:

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university a great place to work.

About Enrollment Management Division:

USC received more than 71,000 applicants for its Fall 2021 freshman class, an acceptance rate of 12.5 percent. The number of students who are the first in their families to attend USC has been growing steadily for five years — 23 percent of the Class of 2025 class are first-generation college students, and 32 percent are students of color. With one of the most abundant financial aid pools in the country, USC provides more than $640 million in scholarships and aid. Students from families earning $80,000 or less each year attend tuition-free. Enrollment Management maintains admission, financial aid, academic records, and registrar services, while providing a wide range of logistical and financial support to students and alumni.

About the Opportunity:

The University of Southern California (USC) is seeking a Budget/Business Analyst to support Enrollment Management. The Budget/Business Analyst monitors, reconciles, analyzes, and reports on budget activity for Enrollment Management and Student Aid. This role administers assigned budgets. Monitors actual income and expense and develop projections to authorize or extend financial commitments. Identifies and researches variances and trends and brings to the attention of the Enrollment Services Senior Business Officer for discussion and resolution.

The Budget/Business Analyst will collaborate with a team that includes financial analysts that report to the Senior Business Officer. The Finance Team works closely with departmental liaisons and managers to establish and maintain financial accounts. The analyst will be responsible for reconciling account balances and analyzing activity of financial transactions that may have occurred over multiple cycles. Regularly prepare and submit financial reports and complete detailed account analysis for review and accuracy prior to distribution. Troubleshoot problems, including research of pertinent facts and interacting with appropriate university staff to achieve resolutions.

In addition, this role will coordinate month-end and year-end financial transfer and closing activity. The analyst will be required to thoroughly understand, reconcile, and analyze accounts for the entire Enrollment Management Division (Office of Admission, Office of Financial Aid, and Academic Records and Registrar, with other supporting departments) and Student Aid.

The selected candidate will be expected to provide information to staff regarding university financial policies and procedures. Assist staff in financial transactions such as purchasing equipment and supplies and accounting for travel expenditures and reimbursements. Coordinate purchasing activities and interface with vendors as required. Prepare ad hoc financial reports as requested. Perform other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time. This position reports to the Senior Business Office supporting Enrollment Management and Student Aid.

Key Responsibilities:

Enrollment Management related:

• Perform Daily/Weekly/Monthly Account Reconciliation/Analysis; Research account discrepancies; Prepare manual journal entries
• Prepare Monthly/Quarterly Financial Projections/Reports
• Responsible for revenue account deposits (wires, checks)/reconciliation
• Support departments in procurement, requisitions, expense reimbursements
• Other duties as assigned

Student Aid related:

• Manage and Analyze the Outside Agency Scholarship Awards 
• Collaborate with the Office of Financial Aid, Provost Shared Payroll Services, and Central Payroll Services to resolve discrepancies weekly/monthly
• Reconcile and manage billing for Off-Campus Federal Work-Study (FWS) Agency Receivable account
• Process daily transactions such as claiming Student Aid wires, depositing Off-Campus FWS Agency checks, and initiating refunds for scholarships to Outside Agencies
• Assist with Student Information System to General Ledger reconciliation during periods of high transaction volume
• Assist with month-end and year-end close activities for the Student Aid accounts
• Other duties as assigned

The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or related degree
• 1+ years of general accounting experience
• Strong Excel and computer skills
• In addition, the successful candidate must demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or related degree
• 2+ years of experience in general accounting, general ledger reconciliation, account analysis, and/or financial projections
• University budget experience and knowledge of university financial systems.
• Budget experience includes knowledge of government and fund accounting.

Benefits

• USC’s Commitment to You: We offer an excellent package of benefits and programs including, but not limited to:
  • Tuition assistance for you and your family
  • Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance options
  • 401A retirement account with matching 5% w/ additional contributions up to 4% after eligibility is met
  • 50% subsidy off Metro, LADOT, and Metrolink passes

The hourly range for this position is $35.00/hr - $37.88/hr. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Applicants that would like to include a cover letter with their resume/CV can upload it during the application process.
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USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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