Job description

Financial Analyst - Student Funding (7709U) 53418 About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles , our Principles of Community , and our Strategic Plan .

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu .

Departmental Overview

The Graduate Funding Unit plays a central role in maintaining the highest level of academic excellence possible at UC Berkeley. We provide fellowships, funding, and program support to attract the most competitive students to our university and provide funding opportunities for students at various stages of their academic career. Our programs exist to give students opportunities to devote themselves fully to the pursuit of their scholarly and professional interests. Our knowledge and expertise in all areas of graduate funding and student life provide a strong foundation for advising the students, faculty, and staff across our vast and diverse campus.

The Student Funding team trains and advises staff and faculty departmental advisors in over 125 degree programs, offers direct advising to approximately 13,000 graduate and professional students, as well as individuals seeking admission into a graduate program at Berkeley. Training and expertise includes fellowship and academic support funding and collective bargaining agreement administration for academic student employees and graduate student researchers.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 5/30/2023

Responsibilities

Performs financial analysis of data from enterprise systems such as Campus Solutions, Berkeley Financial System (BFS), and CalAnswers in support of internal and departmental staff who in turn oversee graduate student funding. Analyzes and prepares recommendations for financial plans, including annual resource allocations, future requirements, and operating forecasts. Uses best accounting standards and practices, performs variance analysis comparing actuals to budget and forecasts.

Key Responsibilities

Contracts and Grants

Applies professional concepts to reconcile federal and private contracts and grants, UC systemwide and other external funding sources, including fee remission programs. Provides analytical support for departmentally restricted endowed funds. Consults with external agencies on procedural issues. Resolves unapplied financial awards for general ledger accuracy. Ensures that the appropriate internal controls are addressed, maintained and strengthened to protect University resources.
Fund Analysis

Works with the Budget Office to identify and determine appropriate allocation of available funds for Block Grant, University Fellowships, and other Graduate Division programs. Plans usage of permanent budget and endowed funds for student funding expenses and manages flow of funds from acceptance to student payments.
NSF GRFP Administration

Serves as Campus-wide expert and steward of National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP). Acts as both Coordinating Official and Financial Officer. Interprets regulations and develops or recommends procedures to ensure compliance and accurate aid delivery. Independently coordinates with other UC departments to implement NSF GRFP. Plans and monitors use of funds provided by NSF for yearly distribution to fellows. Reconciles large volumes of student data from multiple sources and adjusts Grants Roster Report and Program Expense Report as needed. Coordinates yearly NSF GRFP info session. Updates NSF GRFP administration at UCB guide.
Fellowship Programs

Has programmatic responsibilities for an individual portfolio of campus departments and programs, regularly identifies and resolves mismatches and errors. Serves as a resource to departmental, divisional, and campus staff and faculty regarding student funding options and processes when developing and launching new self-supporting graduate professional degree programs.
Multi-Year Funding Tool (MYF)

Provides support in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a new university-specific funding tool accessed and used by all campus units to plan and implement the awarding of student financial aid, including modules related to graduate student funding commitments and projections. Supports training, resources, and advisement for all campus users to award departmental, Block Grant, and restricted endowed funding. Assists Director and other administrators in solving complex and unanticipated problems as the tool is implemented by all campus users.
Reporting

Gathers, prepares, and summarizes reports from the general ledger and other reporting tools for the collection of information for campus submission to UC Office of the President or other campus entities. Analysis and modification of existing procedures and reports resulting in system or policy changes. Participates on standing department committees to provide advice on procedural issues.
Travel Grant Administration

Administers the Graduate Division's Conference Travel Grant program. Monitors, tracks, and makes awards in Campus Solutions. Tracks budget and provides analysis of usage and suggestions on how to improve the process. Provides individual counseling on non-routine, sensitive aid issues. Exercises professional judgment to authorize changes in financial aid award

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

Advanced knowledge of University policies, processes, and procedures.
Advanced problem identification, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills; judgment and decision-making ability.
Applies professional concepts to perform moderate to complex financial or resource analysis to understand past performance and determine present and future performance and / or resource allocations.
Provides analytical support for complex budget, financial, or resource analysis projects.
Gathers information, analyzes, prepares and summarizes recommendations for financial and / or resource plans, including annual resource allocation approaches, trended future requirements, operating forecasts, sources and uses, etc.
Performs complex financial or resource research and studies for various internal department constituents.
Ensures that the appropriate internal controls are addressed, maintained and strengthened to protect University resources.
Advanced knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs
Advanced ability to assess processes and implement improvements.
Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
Multicultural competencies; ability to work with diverse populations.
Ability in problem identification and reasoning; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, persuasion, leadership.
Skills in monitoring / assessing people, processes or services, to make improvements.
Advanced knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices for awarding financial aid; specialized knowledge of particular programs.
Ability to interpret complex policies and develop procedures to ensure compliance.
Ability to calculate and reconcile financial aid with attention to detail and accuracy.
Organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
Active listening, persuasion, and negotiation skills.
Possesses advanced customer service orientation skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and strong social perceptiveness abilities.

Education Level

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $75,000 - $100,000.

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