Sr. Budget Analyst

Merrimack College is a selective, private college in a beautiful, residential setting — just minutes from Boston, Massachusetts.

Position Overview & Responsibilities

The Senior Budget Analyst will coordinate budgeting activities, which includes the development of the upcoming year’s budget, projections of current-year activity, and general analysis of financial activities.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain position control using the College’s budgeting database, Questica. Ensure that proposed changes to the employee roster are in alignment with the budget and the College’s policies and procedures.
  
  
• Meet regularly with unit-based managers and budget officers to ensure that results are in line with the budget, to project current year results, and to develop a budget for the upcoming year. Work with VPFP in drafting communication and timetable for the annual budgeting and periodic projection process.
  
  
• Train unit budget managers on the Questica budget system and on budget-related policies and procedures. Working with the Director of Financial and Administrative Systems, maintain system controls in the Questica system.
  
  
• Analyze spending patterns, program profitability, and other key metrics to assist the Vice President of Budgets of Financial Planning & CBO, and other members of senior leadership. Perform other ad hoc analyses.
  
  
• Coordinate the processing of budget transfers, following the College’s policies and procedures.
  
  
• Work with the Controller’s Office to coordinate general ledger reclassifications where needed to ensure that actual results are properly recorded where budgeted.
  
  
• Identify, as soon as possible, any areas that appear to be under/over budgeted and communicate any findings with the Vice President of Financial Planning.
  
  
• Work with the Procurement Office to ensure the proper use of Purchase Orders, in accordance with the College’s policies and procedures.
  
  
• Work with the Vice President of Financial Planning in the building and maintenance/synchronization of a 5-year strategic financial plan which incorporates all aspects of the College’s operations that is derived from input from other divisions/schools within the college.
  
  
• Work with VPFP to analyze accounting information for developing and maintaining a projected monthly cash flow report. Coordinate with the VP of Finance/Controller’s office to capture past spending data and project forward looking spending/working capital needs. Assist the VPFP to develop annual spending pattern projection based on historical cyclical data.
  
  
• Work with the VPFP on enhancements to the Questica budget system and on the automation/streamlining process of the budgeting and projection process.
  
  
• Assist the VPFP in the preparation of materials for executive cabinet and board of trustee meetings.
  
  
• Assist the VPFP in Coordination with the Facilities/Capital Projects/Technology departments on the Capital budgeting process and compilation of all information for presentation/approval of capital expenditure budgets.
  
  
• Assist the VPFP in coordination with the Controller’s Office/Facilities and Capital Projects on projecting use of institutional funds and debt issuance proceeds for capital projects cash flow and liquidity planning purposes
  
  
• Assist the VPFP in the development School/Divisional P&L/ Responsibility Center Model.
  
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or another quantitative field.
  
  
• Preference for an advanced degree in a relevant field.
  
  
• A minimum of five years of relevant experience.
  
  
• Preference for experience in a complex higher education environment.
  
  
• Must possess a solid understanding of general accounting and budgeting rules and practices.
  
  
• Proficient in the use of software applications, ERP systems and databases.
  
  
• Must have advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
  
  
• Preference for experience with Jenzbar, Questica and/or ADP Workforce Now.
  
  
• Preference for experience with an ERP implementation.
  
  
• Must thrive in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
  
  

Application Materials Should Include :

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desire to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution of higher learning.
  
  
• Resume
  
  

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Required Vaccinations:

Merrimack College currently has a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. Students, faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Augustinian mission, our Catholic faith and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 5,000 undergraduates and graduate students from 32 states and 37 countries, and comprises schools of liberal arts, science and engineering, health sciences, education and social policy, and business. The college’s 260-acre campus is approximately 25 miles north of Boston in North Andover and Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges & Universities/Medium Programs institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, coming in 46th out of 170 schools ranked in the Regional Universities North category in 2020. Merrimack is also listed as one of the top 10 most innovative schools and placed 35th for best undergraduate teaching programs among schools in the U.S. News category.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Internal Applicants - Apply Now

External Applicants - Apply Now