Analyst, Senior Budget

About the role

The Senior Budget Analyst serves as a strategic liaison with school leaders, principals, and all District Chiefs and Departments to support resource allocation decisions. This position performs forecasting and analyses of Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) revenue and expenditures relative to budget planning. It provides assistance to cross-functional project teams, including Finance, Academics, Strategy, Human Resources, and administrative support areas, to ensure appropriate oversight of the MSCS budget and long-term financial plan.

The role serves as a budget knowledge expert, assisting with the development and implementation of controls and policies, coordination and planning of annual and long-term financial goals, and alignment of resources with MSCS strategic goals. The Senior Budget Analyst leads complex financial analysis, including the development of the annual budget aligned with strategic goals, long-term financial planning, and student-based allocation efforts.

This position acts as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding financial and budget processes, position management, improvements, training, and data-driven reporting at the school and district levels. The analyst strategizes and contributes financial advice based on forecasting and expenditure analysis, monitors revenues and expenditures, and assists with the development of the annual operating budget while addressing budget-related issues for departments and school leaders.

Responsibilities

• Apply budget control functions, including budget planning, preparation, and presentation.
• Utilize problem-solving tools to assist in decisions concerning fund planning, utilization, service delivery, and evaluation.
• Identify potential problems or opportunities for improvement in resource utilization.
• Support the executive team with organizational change and development by assisting departments in strategic planning, business plans, benchmarks, performance measures, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform process reviews, redesign, and implementation of department activities.
• Develop and lead a comprehensive position management process with appropriate controls across all funds.
• Monitor and enhance the accuracy of position control management and budgeted salaries and benefits in collaboration with district leadership.
• Collaborate with Academics, Human Resources, and all Finance Departments.
• Construct and implement a plan to streamline and improve the district budget check-in/out process across all funds.
• Analyze financial information (e.g., budget and position control data) to identify budget variances, compile statistical information, and ensure compliance with financial practices and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and prepare financial analyses with multiple scenarios and sensitivity analyses related to position management, including district restructures, reclassifications, school openings, closures, mergers, expansions, rezoning, grade reconfigurations, and revocations.
• Provide updated guidance and training for the Finance team and district staff.
• Prepare budget, financial, and position reports for Chiefs, Directors, School Leaders, and other special reports as requested.
• Monitor, review, and interpret changes in laws, regulations, and best practices related to public agency budgeting.
• Perform other related responsibilities as required or directed.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in Accounting, Finance, and/or budgeting analysis, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience totaling nine (9) years.
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience in a school district, charter school, or other education setting is preferred.
• Proof of education, training, and/or experience is required.

Degree Equivalency Formula: Bachelor’s Degree = 4 years plus required years of experience. Master’s Degree = 2 years plus required years of experience. Where Master’s degrees are required, years for Bachelor’s Degrees must be included.