Financial Analyst

Columbia University
United States, New York, New York
Apr 16, 2025
Job Type: Officer of Administration Regular/Temporary: Regular Hours Per Week: 35 Salary Range: $65,800 - $85,000 The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. Position Summary Reporting to the Assistant Director of Residential Finance, the Financial Analyst is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, reconciling, and reporting on financial activity for parking and residential operations. The incumbent will also assist in the development of budgets and forecasts for parking operations and process related transactions requested for the Colum portfolio consisting of over 150 buildings (approx. 6,000 apartments, 4 garages, 1 outdoor lot, and several leased parking sites) with a budget of over $160 million. The Financial Analyst supervises the Financial Coordinator, ensuring that regular activities are carried out in a timely and accurate manner, including monitoring, analyzing, reconciling, and reporting on financial activity; processing student billing, internal transfers, cash/check deposits, and journal entries; review and departmental approval of financial transactions, including deposits, check requests, and vendor invoices. Responsibilities Prepare a wide array of financial analyses, reports, and reconciliations and update databases used for operational reporting. Review standard financial reports and create new tracking tools and/or improve existing ones to analyze, project, and record financial results. Create queries against departmental data warehouse to proactively identify discrepancies, variances, and prepare reconciliations. Assist with month end close process; create journal entries to maintain accounting integrity, including accruals and overhead expenses allocation. Review and approves invoices and other financial transactions of up to $50,000 (DAF approval level). Supervises the Financial Coordinator, ensuring that regular activities are carried out in a timely and accurate manner, including monitoring, analyzing, reconciling, and reporting on financial activity; processing student billing, internal transfers, cash/check deposits, and journal entries; review and departmental approval of financial transactions, including deposits, check requests, and vendor invoices. Fields and responds to undergraduate and graduate student tenant billing inquiries, involving research confirming housing contract obligations in Residential Tenant Management System (RTMS) and associated account ledger entries, reviewing accuracy of billing entries transmitted to the Student Information's System, and communicating in writing and verbally to students in professional manner, providing clear explanations for all account activity. Assists in the development of budgets, tracks variances, and proposes adjustments for current estimates. Communicates with colleagues in Finance and Residential Operations regarding significant variances in financial activity, confirming specific associated transactions, evaluating whether unusual activity is one-time or recurring, and escalating to the Associate Director for further review. Assist with the preparation and submission of regulatory agency filings with New York City Department of Finance and other governmental agencies, including Real Property Income and Expense (RPIE) filing, Non-Profit Tax Exemption filing, New York State Home and Community renewal (DHCR), Tax Protests, and Tax Exemption filings. Carries out special projects and ad hoc analyses and performs other related accounting and reporting duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's Degree and/or the equivalent required. A minimum of 2 - 4 years of accounting/reporting/budgeting experience required. Strong technical skills required, including reporting and data analysis experience and advanced Excel proficiency. Ability to manage multiple tasks while meeting tight deadlines necessary. Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills are essential; must possess sound judgment and tact. Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.