Financial Analyst

About the role

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded in 2005 as a 501(c)(3) non‑profit medical institution to increase access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest. The university offers Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Master of Biomedical Sciences, and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, enrolling over 550 students annually, with interprofessional education partnerships adding another ~100 students. PNWU employs roughly 300 staff and delivers academic programming across a five‑state region. Located in Yakima, WA (population ~95,000), the campus lies near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, approximately 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane.

The Financial Analyst performs financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, cash analysis, and financial modeling to support the university’s financial planning and decision‑making. Reporting to the Director of Budget & Financial Planning, the role analyzes financial and operational data, monitors budget performance, develops and maintains financial reports and models, and provides analytical support to university leadership and budget managers. The position also conducts bank and cash reconciliations, supports daily cash monitoring and short‑term cash forecasting, and collaborates with the Controller, Senior Accountant, Student Accounts, Human Resources, Enrollment Services, academic leadership, and other departments to ensure accurate, timely financial information for planning and decision‑making.

Responsibilities

• Budgeting, Forecasting, and Financial Planning – support development and administration of the university’s annual operating and capital budgets; prepare budget‑to‑actual reports and analyze variances and financial trends; assist with preparation and maintenance of current year forecasts and long‑range financial projections; support tuition, enrollment, personnel, program, and other financial modeling and analysis; prepare recurring and ad hoc financial reports and analyses for university leadership and budget managers; research general ledger activity and underlying transactions to support financial analysis and explain results.
• Cash Analysis and Reconciliations – prepare assigned bank, cash, and other financial account reconciliations; research reconciling items, unusual cash activity, and discrepancies and coordinate corrections; support daily cash monitoring and short‑term cash forecasting; assist with reconciliation of financial information between subsidiary systems and the general ledger; maintain appropriate schedules and documentation supporting assigned reconciliations and analyses.
• Fixed Assets and Capital Analysis – maintain fixed asset records and supporting documentation for additions, disposals, transfers, and other asset activity; assist with preparation and recording of depreciation and reconciliation of fixed asset records to the general ledger; review capital purchases for appropriate supporting documentation and classification under university capitalization policies; monitor capital expenditures against approved capital budgets and identify significant variances or changes in project spending; maintain capital project and fixed asset schedules used for financial reporting, forecasting, and capital planning.
• Management Reporting and Decision Support – prepare and maintain recurring management reports, financial metrics, and other analytical tools; analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, risks, and significant changes from budget or forecast; provide financial information and analysis to support institutional planning and decision‑making; assist budget managers and university departments with financial questions, account research, and interpretation of financial results, translating financial information into clear, useful terms for non‑financial colleagues.
• Audit and Compliance – prepare assigned schedules, reconciliations, workpapers, and supporting documentation for the annual financial statement audit and other audits or reviews; assist with responses to auditor requests and research supporting financial transactions as needed; maintain financial records and documentation in accordance with university policies, internal control requirements, and applicable record‑retention standards; identify accounting errors, unusual transactions, or potential control concerns and communicate them promptly to the Controller.
• Financial Systems and Process Improvement – maintain proficiency in the university’s financial systems and related reporting tools; assist with testing and implementation of financial system upgrades, ERP changes, interfaces, and process improvements; identify opportunities to improve budgeting, forecasting, reporting, reconciliation, and analytical processes; assist with development and maintenance of written accounting procedures for assigned financial processes; support automation and standardization of financial reporting, analysis, and reconciliation processes while maintaining appropriate internal controls.
• Finance Team Collaboration and Professional Practice – work collaboratively with the Director of Budget & Financial Planning, Controller, Senior Accountant, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Student Accounts, and other university departments; provide backup support for appropriate finance responsibilities as assigned and cross‑trained, and assist finance team members and university departments with account research and resolution of financial issues; participate in finance projects, system implementations, and process‑improvement initiatives; take initiative and ownership for assigned work, follow through on commitments, and communicate early when a deadline or result is at risk; build trusting working relationships across finance and with university departments, clarifying expectations and roles before and during shared work and including the right people in the right conversations; resolve differences constructively and with care, listening to understand others’ perspectives and engaging in honest dialogue when there is disagreement; actively seek and apply feedback, regularly ask whether the work is being done right, and pursue continuous learning and technical growth relevant to current and future responsibilities; connect daily work to PNWU’s mission of serving rural and medically underserved communities, understanding how accurate, well‑stewarded financial information supports students and the university.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Two years of professional experience in financial analysis, budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, or a related financial discipline.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to accuracy and detail; ability to prepare and analyze budgets, forecasts, reconciliations, and financial reports.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles and financial statements.
• Strong Excel and financial data analysis skills; proficiency with financial systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to identify discrepancies and research issues through resolution.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information clearly to non‑financial audiences.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Reliability, ownership, and follow‑through, with a track record of delivering accurate work on recurring deadlines.
• Ability to solve non‑routine problems with curiosity and sound judgment, and to recognize when a matter should be escalated.
• Ability to build trusting working relationships across finance and with departments throughout the university.
• Openness to feedback.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $52,800 – $79,200 annual. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and is pro‑rated based on hours/week. PNWU divides each range into four quartiles anchored at the midpoint:

• 1st Quartile ($52,800‑$59,400) – new to this level or role; developing the full breadth of the role; generally 0‑3 years at this level.
• 2nd Quartile ($59,400‑$66,000) – developing to proficient; generally 3‑5 years at this level or equivalent.
• 3rd Quartile ($66,000‑$72,600) – fully qualified and performing at market rate; midpoint marks the fully qualified employee whose performance is satisfactory in all respects; substantial experience, generally 5‑10 years.
• 4th Quartile ($72,600‑$79,200) – highly skilled, consistently high‑performing, high‑contributing; extensive experience, typically 10+ years; recognized institutional expert.

Schedule

Full‑time position, 40 hours per week.