Financial Analyst

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $69,000-$75,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director, the Financial Analyst is responsible for the independent analysis, reconciliation, and monitoring of financial activity across a broad range of Columbia Business School departments and programs. The Analyst contributes to maintaining the integrity of financial data, ensures compliance with University financial policies, and provides key financial reporting and insights to stakeholders. The position requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a high degree of autonomy in managing day-to-day responsibilities.

About Columbia Business School:

For over a century, Columbia Business School (CBS) has helped develop leaders and builders of enterprises who drive value for their stakeholders and society at large through our MBA, MS, PhD, and Executive Education programs. We are equally committed to cultivating new scholars and teachers and to creating and disseminating pathbreaking knowledge, concepts, and tools that advance the understanding and practice of management through our faculty research and PhD programs. Our vision is simple: to develop ideas and leaders that transform the world, from the very center of business.

Our ever-evolving curriculum, featuring pioneering courses, STEM certification, and immersive experiential learning, prepares students to excel in key areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, innovation, twenty-first-century finance, the intersection of business and society, and climate and sustainability. The CBS administration enables CBS's educational and scholarly mission through strategic and operational guidance and support, optimizing School resources through well-designed, transparent processes with a culture of respect for all.

Responsibilities

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  Prepares, reviews, and analyzes monthly reconciliation reports across various financial accounts, including but not limited to credit card accounts (tuition deposits, application fees, other), tuition accounts (all programs), capital accounts, P-card clearing accounts, and Costar projects.

  
  
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  Identifies, researches, and resolves discrepancies and variances in financial data; analyzes trends and patterns, and recommends process improvements where appropriate.

  
  
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  Ensures accurate reflection of program and departmental revenue and expenses, including reconciliation of accruals, deferrals, and adjustments across both internal systems and University financial systems.

  
  

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  Independently reconciles tuition and related expenses for Executive MBA (EMBA) partnership programs; prepares tuition receivable schedules and maintain liaison responsibilities with EMBA Global program partners.

  
  
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  Reconciles and maintains online store accounts; collaborates with CBS internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure accuracy of reporting and revenue processing.

  
  

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  Oversees the entry, management, and reconciliation of financial data within Columbia University's internal budget system; ensures data integrity across multiple platforms to enable financial reporting and informed forecasting.

  
  
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  Prepares, processes, and reviews journal entries in ARC (Columbia's financial system) to support accurate and timely financial reporting for all CBS departments.

  
  
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  Partners with the Associate Director in the creation and management of Chartfields within ARC; maintains supporting documentation and tracks project activity.

  
  

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  Collaborates with the Associate Director to prepare and execute monthly, quarterly, and fiscal year-end close activities.

  
  
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  Independently prepares and processes assigned transactions and reconciliations related to financial close processes.

  
  

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  Participates in internal audits and special financial reviews, including expense audits (e.g., travel expense reviews).

  
  
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  Ensures compliance with University financial policies and internal CBS standards; recommends and implements improvements in financial processes.

  
  
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  Participates in and/or leads special projects as assigned by the Associate Director or Financial Planning leadership.

  
  

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  Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned, contributing to the smooth operation of the Financial Planning Office.

  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent related experience required. Minimum of 2-4 years of related financial experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

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  Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to independently resolve financial discrepancies.

  
  
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  Proficiency with Excel, accounting systems, and financial reporting.

  
  
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  Experience with Columbia's ARC system strongly preferred.

  
  
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  Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.

  
  
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  Excellent organizational skills, ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities.

  
  
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  Strong interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with both internal and external partners.

  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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