Senior Financial Analyst

Company: Stanford University
Location: Redwood City
Posted on: March 20, 2023

Job Description:

The expected pay range for this position is $108,000 to $130,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.Job Purpose:The University's Business Expense management is a function within the Procurement department in Financial Management Services (FMS). Procurement's broader vision is to evolve from a transaction management operation to value-added trusted advisors that enable financial stewardship in support of University goals. Business Expense Services is in a transformative state. The Business Expense team utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and a risk based approach/continuous monitoring program to review Expense Request System (ERS) and Payment Request System (PRS) transactions. As this AI technology matures, we look to utilize it to the best extent and enable the team to be more proactive and efficient in the review of business expense transactions for compliance, reasonability and potential fraud.In this role, the Financial Analyst will develop a strong understanding of the FAN business rules, configurations and purpose of the rules and will utilize this expertise to perform trend analysis and identify opportunities for improvements. She/he will make recommendations, based on data, to update business rules to more precisely identify fraud, waste, and abuse and reduce false positives to support the Business Expense audit team operations. They will run ad hoc and canned OBI reports and pull data from the AI tool to perform analysis of complex data sets to support improvement recommendations.Reporting to the Director of Business Expense, the Financial Analyst will work closely with the Business Expense Operations Manager, the Business Expense Policy Analyst, and with other groups within and outside Financial Management Services, including with the Financial Risk Management, Business Strategy and Services, and Enterprise Technology teams within UIT. She/he will also participate in strategic initiatives and will lead continuous improvement projects for Business Expense. She/h will have responsibility for both, high visibility projects as well as day-to-day functions related to the auditing of Business Expense transactions, responding to Support (ServiceNow) Tickets, and efforts related to management of the Jira queues for the Expense Request System (ERS) and for the AI tool.This position will be heavily involved with the following Oracle Applications: iExpense, Credit Card Programs (TCard, PCard), Oracle Business Intelligence in addition to Stanford financial custom applications. They will also become a subject matter expert of the AI tool. She/he will respond to clients via ServiceNow and may participate in presentations to campus related to processes and policy. Experience with gathering, interpreting and presenting data from multiple sources is highly desirable.Each day is different - you will need a flexible mindset. If you are a proactive individual with strong business sense, outstanding technical and analytical skills, and the ability to work as part of an energetic, collaborative team, this may be the right career opportunity for you.Activities included in this role:

• Understand and properly apply university policy to audit and decision incoming transactions from campus related to cash advances and other transactions as needed.
• Review, analyze and take action on incoming Support (ServiceNow) Tickets to the Business Expense Department related to system issues. Identify and resolve these complex issues which may span multiple areas.
• Review trends in business expense transaction risk flags and make recommendations for continuous improvements
• Create and manage Technical (JIRA) Tickets - Define requirements, develop and implement complex test cases, perform system testing and analyze results.
• Develop, write, and edit operating instructions, how to manuals and user guides to facilitate the understanding of the AI business rules and logic.
• Participate as a member of project teams as assigned. Support new initiatives by making decisions regarding approach to managing and completing new processes.
• Execute key processes and run reports to perform daily reconciliations and periodic data sampling to ensure accuracy and completeness of data interfaces between Oracle and AI tool.
• Provide consulting advice to business partners; serve as a resource on matters that require specific technical, financial, or subject matter expertise.
• Develop solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes.Job Purpose:Perform complex finance functions and/or activities with programmatic impact on the institution, requiring professional expertise and application of internal policies and systems and external regulations. May manage a key area within a finance operation or department/unit.Core Duties*:
  • Perform highly analytical, complex finance and control functions; multi-dimensional and complex reconciliations and related analysis; prepare or review and approve complex transactions and higher level dollar value transactions.
  • Research, and synthesize data; interpolate results from large amounts of data, identify trends in data, draw conclusions, develop solutions, present and implement recommendations, and create follow up analysis.
  • Develop complex budget and forecasting scenarios, long-range planning and analyses for financial reporting and presentations; design and run ad hoc reports.
  • Identify and resolve unique issues with substantial significance; recognize exceptions, and conduct in-depth analysis using advanced technical knowledge and experience. Recommend and develop solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes; maintain broader organizational and university perspective in decision making.
  • Review, design, and implement appropriate internal control programs, research new regulations, and implement approved changes. Manage compliance program for area of responsibility, interpret internal policy and external regulations, and create and/or review complex compliance reports.
  • Lead and execute unit or cross functional projects and teams, make decisions regarding projects and programs affecting operational effectiveness, policies, or processes.
  • Engage in continuous critical analysis of existing systems and processes; make recommendations to achieve greater efficiencies and improve internal controls. Define requirements, develop and implement complex test cases, perform testing and analyze results.
  • Lead and support unit and organization strategy and change management initiatives. Provide training on new financial systems. Represent organization to client group(s) and external partners; serve as subject matter expert on matters that involve complex technical, financial, or subject matter expertise.
  • Assess client and business needs, and formulate recommendations to determine approach to managing and completing processes.
  • May supervise, train, coach, and review the work of other staff, as needed. Contribute primarily through applying individual expertise.* - Other duties may also be assignedRequirements
    • Bachelor's degree and six years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
      • Experience creating ad hoc Business Intelligence reports.
      • Advanced proficiency in business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.
      • Advanced knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning and financial systems; internet and computer literacy.
      • Experience with JIRA and Confluence preferred.
      • Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
      • Advanced professional communication skills, including ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and management.
      • Strong project management skills and ability to contribute to or lead part of a multi-functional team.Certificates and Licenses RequiredNonePhysical Requirements
        • Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
        • Frequently sitting.
        • Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, use a telephone, writing by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds;
        • Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.
        • Occasionally work evenings and weekends.Work Standards
          • Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
          • Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
          • Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu/ .*The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.*Consistent with its obligations under law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.*Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.Business Affairs: Financial Management Services (FMS), Redwood City, California, United StatesBusiness Affairs: Financial Management Services (FMS), Redwood City, California, United StatesWe're always looking for people who can bring new perspectives and life experiences to our team. Found the perfect role and ready to apply? Learn more on what to expect next.

Keywords: Stanford University, Redwood City , Senior Financial Analyst, Accounting, Auditing , Redwood City, California