Position Title: Budget Analyst

F.T.E: 1.0

Location: Michigan Regional

Reports To: Director of Financial Planning & Analysis

Start Date: March 2021

The Mission of Distinctive Schools, an educational practice leader committed to social justice and the elevation of access and achievement in historically marginalized communities, is to support each child in becoming an engaged and curious learner, a confident self-advocate, and a creative problem-solver by setting high expectations and nurturing a positive culture that honors diversity, collaboration, and optimism.

Position Description:

As a member of the Finance team, the Budget Analyst will report to the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (DFPA) and be a key player in assisting the team accomplish all team goals. They should be willing and able to assist on a variety of finance activities as assigned by the DFPA, Regional Finance Manager, Regional Executive Director, Controller, or CFO. Primarily, the Budget Analyst is expected to be responsible for three main areas of expertise:

1. Revenue and Grants - expected to require approximately 45% of time
   
2. Financial Processes (Check requests, deposits, PO's, bank recs, etc) 20%
   
3. Budget Management - expected to require approximately 35% of time
   

This person will:

Financial Processes:

• Manage financial systems and processes oversight for region
  
  • Process and track transmittals for PO's, deposits, check requests, employee reimbursements and payment; manage and keep track of claims and inform the Finance Team of upcoming claims reimbursements, as well as changes in grants management for amendments and budget modifications;
    
  • Manage vendors and partners in collaboration with the Director of Operations within the region.
    
  • Manage budget processes alongside school leaders and DS finance team
    
  • Manage hard and digital copy records for historical analysis, and auditing purposes
    

Revenue and Grants:

• Ensure that schools receive all revenue awarded or due to them from governmental and private grants in a timely fashion
  
• Keep a calendar of all required reports and filings with granting agencies. They will coordinate network and school based staff to accurately prepare all such reports in a timely fashion; submit budget amendments for changes to grant allocations per collaboration with program and Finance teams
  
• Seek advice and insight from granting agencies on best practices to maintain compliance, ensure prompt payment, and maximize available resources, and share that information with network and school based staff
  
• Work with the Executive Director of Development and Regional Executive Director to support their work in acquiring new grants and complying with existing grants
  
• Monitor and retrieve data as necessary to assist reporting, analyzing, forecasting, reconciling, and auditing of grant receipts
  

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or related field; or
  
• High School Diploma and 7+ years experience in Accounting, Finance, or Budget Management
  

• Knowledgeable in the areas of government compliance and legislature
  
• General knowledge of accounting principles, reporting, and grant management
  
• General understanding of financial and accounting software
  
• Must understand the education sector
  
• Excellent at relationship management
  
• Strong analytical, communication and computer skills
  
• Attention to detail
  
• Ability to work full-time and travel between Michigan schools, when needed
  
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and hit numerous deadlines simultaneously
  
• Proficient in Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides
  
• Proficient Excel
  
• Ethical behavior
  

Why Join the Distinctive Schools Team:

• We are a collaborative team of professionals supporting each other to instill a love of learning in our students
  
• We empower students, families and staff to contribute to our mission in a meaningful way
  
• We make an impact in our communities by serving some of the most historically marginalized in the city
  
• We offer a great benefits package for full time employees (Medical; Dental; Vision; PTO; 403b match, discounted gym membership, tuition reimbursement options, referral bonus)
  

Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.