Financial Analyst

Performs specialized professional accounting work of moderate difficulty, including all aspects of support for operational and financial reporting. Assembles and analyzes data, transactions, and reports relating to an assigned area of responsibility. Works under general supervision and may make some work procedural decisions which do not contravene policies.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Prepares, analyzes, and/or reviews various financial reports, schedules, accounts, journal entries, and processes. Examples include daily reconciliation, annual reports to federal, state, and other governing agencies, auditors, and internal management.

Assists with various reconciliations and other reporting activities including Higher Education Institute reporting.

Handles moderate reconciliations, processes financial transactions in systems and reconciles student account balances.

Reconciling student accounts, analyzing account balances, and processing student tuition and fee transactions.

Ensuring all transactional processes adhere to legal regulations and institutional policies.

Working with other departments (e.g., registrar, financial aid) to streamline payment processes and resolve financial discrepancies.

Responsible for the entire billing and payment process, reconciliation, and monitoring for College Credit Plus (CCP) and Youngstown Early College (YEC) accounts including enrollment status and action to take on specific accounts. Reconciles payments posted to students account to payments received from the State of Ohio and Youngstown City Schools.

Reviews and determines the appropriate rate code which assesses tuition charges to the student's account.

Provides information, assistance, and resolves problems for students, parents, banks, student loan borrowers, and University personnel.

Gathers and interprets data from multiple sources, reviews, and validates data; evaluates processes and outcomes; and recommends corrective actions. Ensures findings are documented clearly and used to improve accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. Applies critical thinking and sound judgment to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Analyzes data and prepares or reviews special reports unique to specialty area.

Participates in the continuous improvement and analysis of procedures related to the operation of the department.

Performs moderate levels of technical and analytical work. Interprets data, documents and maintains operating procedures and recommends fiscal policies, procedures, and controls.

Coordinates and/or performs a variety of fiscal and/or business activities and support functions; clarifies and handles billing and/or payment discrepancies; including cashier duties and maintaining accurate transaction records.

Responds to inquiries from internal and external constituents concerning department or student accounts; provides general information to authorized parties; explains University and departmental policies and procedures.

Prepares reports and performs fiscal analysis to affect payment of services. Ensures that standard accounting procedures are followed for cashier, billing, and payment functions. Audits receivables and advises appropriate action regarding reversals, adjustments, and collections.

Other Functions and Responsibilities:

Assists with training new hires.

Performs other duties as assigned and/or required that are within the level of responsibility for this classification at the discretion of the supervisor.

Equipment Operated:

Computer and all other standard office equipment.

Work Schedule:

Typically, Monday through Friday.

Primary Location:

Youngstown

Supervision Exercised:

May exercise supervision over student employees.

Reports to:

Associate Bursar or Manager, Customer Service and Operations

Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures:

None

Sponsorship and/or Work Authorization Status:

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Accounting; applicable state and/or federal regulations governing documents processed, reviewed and/or prepared*; public relations*.

Skill in: Use of calculator and personal computer.

Ability to: Apply principles to solve practical everyday problems; gather, collate and classify information about data, people or things; complete routine forms and prepare standard reports and business correspondence; handle routine and sensitive inquiries from and contacts with other government officials, general public, claimants and/or providers.

(*) Developed after employment.

Minimum Qualifications:

At least a bachelor's degree; and at least one year of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration; Ellucian Banner and TouchNet systems experience; higher education billing related experience.

Physical Requirements:

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor physical demands strength ratings, this position will perform sedentary work.

Sedentary: work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs may be defined as Sedentary when walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other Sedentary criteria are met.