Senior Financial Analyst CPA Credentials Preferred University OverviewThe University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job TitleSenior Financial Analyst - CPA Credentials Preferred
Job Profile TitleAccountant/Financial Analyst Senior
Job Description SummaryThe Senior Financial Reporting Analyst is part of the Division of Finance at Penn and is responsible for the University's external financial reporting and performance analysis. Significant responsibilities and duties include:
Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual GAAP financial statements and related disclosures/footnotes for the University.
Ensures compliance with GAAP through detailed review of complex accounting rules and the application of those rules to complicated and multifaceted transactions throughout the University.
Prepares formal analysis used by executive management to communicate business trends and issues to the Board of Directors and by external auditors to verify compliance with reporting controls as well as the accuracy of our financial statements.
Prepares highly technical and complex accounting/reporting research and recommends critical accounting decisions for concurrence by the Manager/Comptroller.
Implements monthly financial accounting closing procedures and related internal controls. Assists in all aspects of the external audit process.
Oversees ongoing financial support to a school or center. Working with various university databases, this role is responsible for preparing both routine/regular reports and ad-hoc analysis projects.
In the Division of Finance, we recognize diversity and inclusion is paramount to a positive and thriving work environment; it is a business imperative. We are committed to actively fostering diversity, inclusion and cultural competency throughout our operational efforts in the Division of Finance. This role will be critical in supporting those efforts and demonstrating behaviors and competencies that reflect Penn's values.
We take pride in the myriad ways that diversity enriches our curriculum, and the cultural and social life of our campus. Penn's commitment to achieving eminence through diversity is ultimately a commitment to creating a more vibrant university so that our graduates will be both stimulated and empowered to shape a better world.
Job DescriptionPerforms significant aspects of Penn's external financial reporting and performance analysis process including related internal controls and monthly closing procedures, and highly technical and complex accounting/reporting research. Significant responsibilities and duties include:
Reporting: Ensures reporting accuracy and transparency through professional preparation and self -review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and related disclosures including footnotes in accordance with GAAP. Reviews footnote disclosures prepared by other departments. Ensures compliance with GAAP through detailed review of complex accounting rules and the application of those rules to complicated and multifaceted transactions throughout the University. Implements the GAAP reporting process at assigned schools and centers. Performs and verifies the consolidation process for Penn Medicine, complex real estate operations, and other subsidiaries. Prepares analysis of other external reports such as Commonwealth Appropriations, Census Data, IPEDS, NSF, and UCA. Seniors are assigned multiple financial statement categories (e.g. tuition, benefits) as well as certain schools/centers and have responsibility for any related reporting including footnote disclosures.
Analysis: Performs and evaluates comprehensive analysis and prepares formal analysis documents used by executive management to communicate business trends and issues to the Board of Directors and by external auditors to verify compliance with reporting controls as well as the accuracy of our statements. Prepares and evaluates comprehensive monthly analysis designed to detect and correct significant accounting/reporting errors and identifies and communicates corrective actions required to prevent their reoccurrence. The Senior is assigned multiple financial statement categories (e.g. tuition, benefits) and has responsibility for any related analysis.
Research: Prepares professionally documented accounting and reporting research position papers (following professional practices used by EITF) recommending critical accounting decisions for concurrence by the Manager/Comptroller. Monitors emerging accounting, reporting and control rules promulgated by authoritative bodies including the SEC, FASB, EITF and AICPA. Benchmarks other entity reporting/accounting practices. Evaluates these emerging rules and practices, communicates impact on the University, and recommends and implements appropriate actions. The Senior is assigned multiple financial statement categories (e.g. tuition, benefits) and has responsibility for any related research.
Control: Implements the functional aspects of the closing process/schedule and assists Manager with related system requirements performed by Finance IT and ISC. Assist Manager with the implementation of a comprehensive business control model in functional departments throughout the University including assignment of object code control and analysis responsibilities.
External audit: Assists in all aspects of the external audit process including scheduling of quarterly reviews and annual audit activities, scheduling of related internal activities to meet external deadlines, coordination with other functional departments to ensure that necessary supporting information is provided timely and accurately, and coordination of Management Letter Comments and responses.
Qualifications:- A Bachelor's degree is required, preferably in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field with 5 years of experience; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and practices (GAAP) and a minimum of five to seven years of relevant experience.
- Must have excellent communication skills and computer literacy; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Must have advanced command of Excel functions.
- Experience with designing and executing strategy-based financial analyses. Must be skilled in understanding database structure and have the ability to manipulate data imports and exports for financial reporting and analysis.
- Knowledge of and experience with journal entries, financial reporting and financial statement preparation, and general accounting concepts
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with a high degree of accuracy in fast paced environment and to exercise confidentiality and discretion in the operational decision-making process.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively research, present ideas and concepts in written or presentation format, and use consultative and facilitation skills to gain consensus
Role Competencies:- Excellent analytical, written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to management and/or senior leadership
- Well organized, flexible, and able to manage multiple challenging projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
- Collaborative working style and ability to build strong relationships with people at all levels of the organization
- Experience working with financial reporting and financial statements
- Initiative and ability to work independently and as a member of a team
- Ability to learn new systems quickly
- Demonstrated ability to support a community of diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment
Job Location - City, StatePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / SchoolDivision of Finance
Pay Range$61,046.00 - $95,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
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