Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Executive Director, Finance and Strategic Planning, the Senior Finance and Payroll Analyst ("Analyst") supports all finance payroll functions in the School of Professional Studies (SPS). The Analyst focuses on payroll financial transactions and operations. The individual is responsible for enforcing policies and procedures, as well as streamlining effective payroll processes across multiple programs and business units.. This position is also responsible for preparation and analysis of a wide variety of financial and other reports for senior management.  This person will support the Finance Group and report to the Executive Director, Strategic Planning.

Responsibilities

Payroll Function (60%)

• Analyze and reconcile payroll against internal schedules
• Monitor payroll suspense and prepare payroll cost transfers and salary distributions and provide guidance and assistance to departments.
• Prepare and review Payroll (PAC) cost transfers and salary distributions.
• Summarize and report on payroll variances and follow up on discrepancies with internal and A&S departments
• Develop and provide reports as required and assist in the implementation and administration of internal financial policies, programs, and practices
• Develop policy, process and procedures to allocate departmental salaries (i.e., internal cost allocation) to programs for cost accounting
• Prepare, review and reconcile internal cost allocation charges in accordance with prescribed cost allocation for the School.
• Perform financial analysis and monthly reconciliation of faculty and full-time administrators compensation.
• Assist with the preparation of reports as it pertains to payroll for the budget submission
• Collaborate with all members of the finance, human resources and faculty affairs teams to assist with the proper reporting of payroll transactions

Financial Reporting and Analysis (30%)

• Utilizing a wide array of University and departmental systems, the Financial Analyst collects data, prepares reports and performs proactive audits to identify discrepancies and variances.
• Develop and provide reports as required and assist in the implementation and administration of internal financial policies, programs, and practices including those associated with monthly, quarterly and fiscal year-end close.
• Provides support and analysis for day-to-day activities.
• Prepares and processes journal entries in ARC, as needed
• Assists with financial administrative tasks, as needed

Other duties as assigned (10%)

• The Analyst will complete special projects as assigned by the Executive Director and perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or the equivalent required
• A minimum of 3-5 years of accounting/reporting/budgeting experience required
• A resume and cover letter with salary requirements must be submitted for applicant to be considered for the position

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PeopleSoft, ARC 

Other Requirements

• Must have strong attention to detail and accuracy with the ability to meet deadlines
• Strong organizational, problem-solving and analytical skills
• The ability to work independently and take initiative to assist in improving overall office operations
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities is also required
• Must have strong technical skills including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, MS Word, other Microsoft tools and G-Suite
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including active listening skills, plus the ability to work closely and effectively with a diverse group of University administrators, characterized by strong consensus-building and relationship-building skills

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.