Budget Analyst, Villanova University, PA, US

Position Summary:

The Budget Analyst assists the Associate VP for Budget and Financial Planning and the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis with the development, administration, and maintenance of the University’s operating and capital budgets, the development of projected financial results, the maintenance of the University’s long-range financial planning model, and the development of systems and procedures which support the budget process and the analysis of actual results versus budget and projected results.

Why work at Villanova?

• Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
• Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
• Villanova’s most precious asset is our people . As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more .

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the development of the University’s annual operating and capital budgets, including:
• Prepare consolidated budgets which aggregate all University departments and operations
• Develop the University’s salary budget in accordance with University approved funding sources
• Maintain and enhance the budgeting system for Budget Office and departmental users
• Develop and ensure adherence to timelines related to the budget process
• Prepare presentations and information for the University’s Board of Trustees, the Executive Council, the Budget Committee, and other University leadership teams and groups
• Obtain, analyze, and utilize information from internal and external sources as needed for the development of the budget. Sources may include other offices in Financial Affairs, other University departments, and external sources
• Maintain the position control system within the Banner Human Resources module, which includes:
• Process and review employment requisitions
• Create and maintain position control numbers
• Prepare and distribute position control reports by department reflecting all positions and respective salary budgets
• Manage process of rolling position data into Budget Development and Finance modules and incorporate merit increase decisions through Salary Planner into the budget roll process
• Collaborate with colleges and administrative areas to manage their respective pooled staff positions
• Coordinate with Human Resources and other University departments during the staff hiring process, resulting in the approval or disapproval of proposed positions. Maintain position control system to ensure financial oversight on all University positions
• Support ongoing financial forecasting and projections, including:
• Assist with the development of projected financial results throughout the fiscal year
• Work with University departments, other Financial Affairs personnel, and external sources to develop up-to-date financial projections
• Provide University departments with monthly financial dashboard reports and follow-up commentary on their results
• Assist with the preparation of detailed variance analyses during and at fiscal year-end
• Maintain the budgets within the Banner Finance module, including:
• Maintain the University operating budget including processing adjustments and handling inquiries
• Develop and enhance management budget reporting from Banner Finance
• Record online adjustments and transfers
• Utilize Budget Development module and Salary Planner for annual operating budget building and loading to Banner Finance
• Provide training to University departments on budget-related issues and forms
• Monitor and facilitate a response to inquiries sent to the Budget Office group email inbox
• Perform reconciliation of Board-approved budget to budget loaded in Banner Finance system
• Perform ad-hoc financial analysis, as needed, including:
• Responsible for calculating and analyzing academic carryforward balances for University colleges and departments, collaborating with the Provost’s Office for accurate reporting and alignment with academic priorities and guidelines
• Prepare comprehensive University headcount reports and develop enrollment projections using statistical modeling and historical data analysis to support strategic planning and decision-making
• Perform cost allocations and complex cost analyses (e.g., allocations of overhead costs to academic areas, profitability studies reflecting fully-allocated costs, etc.)
• Recommend changes to University policies and procedures which relate to budget management.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of relevant experience (budget development, financial analysis, financial statement preparation) preferably in non-profit or higher education environment.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner Finance systems a plus.
• Knowledge of principles and practices related to budget development and financial analysis, as well as knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles for not-for-profit higher education organizations.
• In-depth knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel.
• Significant experience working with enterprise-wide financial systems.
• Experience with PC’s and related functionality (e.g. e-mail, document scanning, etc.) and other general office equipment
• Required problem-solving skills:
• Ability to understand and solve complex problems which require follow-up with both internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to analyze and understand problems from multiple perspectives to understand the impact on multiple areas and determine the optimal solution.
• Ability to .define issues and problems and develop solutions with minimal direction and oversight
• Ability to perform complex analysis using advanced spreadsheets and other data analysis tools.
• Required communication skills:
• Superior ability to communicate information verbally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical information clearly to diverse audiences, with varying levels of financial understanding.
• Required organizational skills:
• Must be able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to appropriately prioritize and complete multiple concurrent activities.
• Must be a self-starter who can follow through a project with minimal direction.
• Must be able to establish and develop working relationships within a large, complex organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA or MBA a plus.
• Experience working with the following enterprise-wide financial systems (e.g., Ellucian Banner), budget development systems (Oracle EPM), and financial report-writing tools (e.g., Cognos, Argos, Snowflake)