Financial Unit Analyst

Position Summary: The Financial Unit Analyst is a key member of the School of Engineering Dean’s Office administrative team at Vanderbilt University. This role is responsible for reviewing and approving financial transactions within the Oracle Cloud system and preparing routine and ad hoc financial reports to support school leadership in financial and operational oversight. 

About the Work Unit: The Vanderbilt University School of Engineering, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is dedicated to advancing innovation, research, and education at the graduate and professional levels. The School of Engineering fosters an environment where students, faculty, and staff engage in discovery, collaboration, and real-world problem solving to address complex global challenges. Through a commitment to academic excellence and interdisciplinary learning, the School prepares students to become leaders in engineering and related fields. 

Key Functions and Expected Performance: 

Financial Analysis: Accumulate, review, and analyze data for financial reports using a broad knowledge of the goals of the School of Engineering, with an understanding of academic accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and University policies and procedures. Investigate and analyze detailed accounting system transactions in support of programs and projects; utilize data in the development of forecasted income statements. Prepare financial, statistical, and operational reports including analysis of progress toward program/project goals. Analyze budget impact of implemented programs/projects. • Prepare and distribute monthly financial reports for those areas supported • Prepare and present monthly financial reports to Senior Associate Business Officer/CBO and other school leaders, including summaries of all financial unit operating budgets and other relevant actionable reports • Prepare adhoc financial reports – pulling data from multiple sources (Oracle, SmartView, BI, etc) and using advanced Excel skills (pivots, etc) to analyze and present in a professional and relevant format • Investigate and analyze detailed accounting system transactions • Complete Oracle transactions to distribute funding to Faculty Funds • Maintain knowledge of institutional accounting policies/practices • Present information in a professional and thorough manner, using knowledge of school practices to provide useful information in a timely manner 

Financial Unit Management: Review and approve all financial transactions for various financial units in the School of Engineering, using a deep understanding of the operations and financial landscape of the unit(s) as well as institutional policies and procedures to ensure all transactions are recorded accurately and are in compliance with those policies. Work closely with other Engineering department administrative staff, serving as a resource for questions related to financial transactions/policies/procedures. • Review and approve financial transactions for assigned financial unit(s) in the Oracle Cloud system, including procurement requisitions, travel and entertainment expense reports, and procurement card expense reports • Meet regularly with departmental grant managers to review/discuss grant management as it relates to transaction approvals (i.e. department specific protocols, new grant guidelines, etc.) • Maintain an extensive understanding of Oracle financial systems • Maintain an extensive understanding of the university’s chart of accounts and departmental use of Project Portfolio Management POET structure • Maintain extensive understanding of institutional and departmental travel, expense, and procurement card policies • Manage One Card tasks for assigned financial units to include initial review of requests for limit increases and serve as school point person for central offices in cases of policy violations/questions • Use professional judgment and integrity to evaluate the appropriateness of expenditures and possess the maturity and confidence to address questionable transactions either directly or by escalating them, if needed • Use high attention to detail to ensure every component of a requisition or expense report is accurate prior to approval. Adopt best practices in the review and management of financial resources addressing any needed changes or adjustments in a timely manner. • Maintain big picture perspective in order to ensure that all expenditures are evaluated to assess impact on departmental operational needs and financial goals Provide guidance, school specific training and assistance to Procurement Requesters • Create school level procedure documents and tip sheets for financial functions related to Oracle and maintain distribution of those documents via the VUSE website (i.e. procurement functions, reporting, reconciliation of operating budgets). 

Communication and collaboration: • Build and maintain strong working relationships across the school and with central finance teams • Participate in meetings and trainings to stay current on institutional policies and share updates with stakeholders • Adapt to changes in systems, processes, and priorities in a dynamic environment • Demonstrate accountability, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem-solving • Meet deadlines and manage competing priorities effectively • Work independently with minimal supervision while exercising sound judgment • Seek guidance when needed and contribute to a collaborative team environment 

Due to the dynamic nature of the role, responsibilities may evolve over time. The incumbent may be assigned additional duties as needed to support school and university objectives. 

Supervisory Relationships: This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to Senior Associate Business Officer 

Education and Certifications: • Bachelor’s degree is necessary, Accounting, Finance, or Business is preferred • Master’s degree is preferred Experience and Skills: • 3 years’ experience is necessary • Vanderbilt experience and Oracle experience is preferred • Grants knowledge/experience is preferred • Advanced Excel skills • Strong organization and communication skills

 

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University 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, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.