What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Analyst position at Sweet Briar College?
Job Details
Description
Sweet Briar is a liberal arts college for women with a long history of forging female leaders. The US News and World Report repeatedly name Sweet Briar College as one of the most innovative liberal arts colleges in the nation. Sweet Briar College is growing rapidly, attracting students who are drawn to it for its excellent liberal arts program, coupled with distinctive programs in women's leadership, engineering, sustainability, arts, and its legendary equestrian program. Its finances are robust and validated by a balanced budget and positive bond ratings.
It is located in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, approximately 12 miles north of Lynchburg and 54 miles south of Charlottesville. Its campus is one of the nation’s most spectacular, with nature sanctuaries, lakes, forests, trails, and, most recently, vineyards, apiaries, and greenhouses.
The College boasts a modern core curriculum focused on women's leadership in the 21st century, undergraduate programs in the arts, sciences, and humanities, and a Master of Arts in Teaching. It is one of only two women’s colleges in the United States with an ABET-accredited engineering degree. The women’s leadership core curriculum is innovative and energizing.
When students graduate, they are persuasive communicators who know how to think on their feet and bring people together. Sweet Briar women are prepared to lead, no matter what they study or where they go. The campus community is a family of faculty, staff, coaches, and alumnae who support and encourage students and each other. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, students lead research, ask questions, and forge supportive relationships with faculty that can last for decades.
Financial Analyst
Classification: Exempt
Reports To: AVP Controller
Job Summary/Objective :Provides high-level financial analysis, budgeting support, and institutional reporting that strengthens the College’s fiscal health and advances its mission as a small liberal arts institution. This role serves as a strategic partner to the Chief Financial Officer and Controller, as well as campus leadership, by delivering meaningful financial insights, enhancing transparency, and supporting data-informed decision-making across the College.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Assist with the preparation and analysis of the College’s annual operating and capital budgets.
- Monitor and report on financial performance against budget, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports and dashboards for leadership and the Board of Directors.
- Support long-range financial planning, scenario modeling, and cash flow forecasting.
- Conduct variance and cost analyses to support departmental decision-making.
- Conduct ROI analysis for various departments, functions and programs.
- Partner with departments across campus to provide financial insights and improve fiscal accountability.
- Assist in developing and maintaining financial models, data analytics tools, and internal reporting systems.
- Support year-end close processes, audits, and other compliance-related activities.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives for budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
- Minimum of five years of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, or accounting.
- Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial management systems (e.g., Ellucian, Banner, or similar).
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial audiences.
- Attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred:
- Experience in higher education or nonprofit financial management.
- Familiarity with fund accounting.
- Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related discipline, or CPA designation.
Deadline for Submission: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
To Apply: Submit your application here.
All applications should include a cover letter and resume.