School Finance Data Analyst

The School Finance Data Analyst supports the collection, validation, analysis, and reporting of financial information for Colorado school districts and BOCES. This position works under the direction of the School Finance Data & Reporting Manager to ensure accurate reporting and to support accountability and informed decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer the annual Finance December data collection, including review, validation, reconciliation, analysis, and quality assurance of financial information submitted by school districts and BOCES.
• Partner with district financial staff to resolve data errors, reporting inconsistencies, and reconciliation issues, ensuring financial reporting is accurate and complete.
• Maintain statewide financial datasets, documentation, business rules, edits, reports, and other materials that support financial data collections.
• Review annual school district and BOCES financial audits and compare audit information with Finance December and other financial data to identify discrepancies, compliance concerns, and unusual financial conditions.
• Assist with identifying, documenting, tracking, and resolving Material Deficiencies, Late Filings, and other audit or financial reporting findings.
• Support financial accreditation, fiscal monitoring, and early warning activities by using audit, financial, and other available data.
• Prepare, validate, and support recurring state and federal financial reports, including the National Public Education Finance Survey, U.S. Census reporting, financial transparency reporting, and assigned indirect cost calculations.
• Develop statewide and district-level reports and respond to internal and external requests for school finance and financial data.
• Analyze district revenues, expenditures, fund balances, staffing, and other fiscal indicators, including historical, comparative, and trend analysis.
• Support analysis of legislative and policy proposals and link district financial data with enrollment, school finance funding, and operational information.
• Create reports, analytical tools, and resources that help make financial information accessible for districts, CDE leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Provide technical assistance, guidance, and training to districts and BOCES on Finance December, Chart of Accounts, financial transparency, audits, and other financial reporting requirements.
• Develop and maintain written guidance, training materials, standard operating procedures, and documentation for assigned responsibilities.
• Participate in cross-training, quality assurance, and peer review to ensure backup coverage and the accuracy of critical reports.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, public administration, public policy, education, data analysis, or a related field.
• Relevant professional experience may substitute for education as permitted by CDE and State of Colorado personnel requirements.
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience working with complex data sets.
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience working in a financial setting.
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience working in governmental accounting, finance, public policy, auditing, or a related field.
• Intermediate to Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including experience working with financial or other complex datasets.
• Experience performing financial, fiscal, data, and/or policy analysis.
• Ability to learn and apply complex financial formulas and statutory requirements.
• Ability to work independently and without supervision.
• Experience analyzing, interpreting, recommending, or implementing policies and procedures.
• Experience or interest in creating, developing, or refining standard operating procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify inconsistencies in data and calculations.
• Ability to perform calculations, reconciliations, projections, and data quality reviews accurately.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, recurring processes, and quickly changing priorities.
• Strong customer service skills and professional communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to explain complex financial or technical topics to non-financial audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to independently research and resolve issues.
• Willingness and ability to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• Ability and willingness to independently determine, obtain means, and complete required travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in K–12 school finance, governmental accounting, or public-sector financial reporting.
• Experience reviewing financial statements, audits, and identifying financial discrepancies.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP, and complex formulas.
• Experience with SQL, Power BI, Tableau, or similar data analysis tools.
• Experience in financial data collection, reconciliation, quality assurance, and regulatory reporting.

Tools and Technologies

• Microsoft Excel
• PivotTables
• XLOOKUP

Work Location and Schedule

• Location: Denver, CO (hybrid)
• Employment type: Full-time
• Funding: State funded (funding is contingent upon availability)
• Remote office: A remote (home) office is required.
• Work hours: Extended hours during evenings or weekends may be required by business needs.
• Travel: 5% travel required within Denver Metro/Downtown for meetings and training.
• Reporting requirements: Required to report to the work location per business needs.

Compensation

• Salary range: USD 66,000 - 76,000 per year

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid work environment.
• Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options, with a generous employer contribution to help keep employee costs low.
• Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance.
• Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals.
• Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA): www.copera.org.
• Employer-paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply).
• Paid professional development opportunities.

Essential Functions (ADAAA)

• Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
• May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally.
• Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
• Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
• Required to independently obtain and determine means to complete travel requirements.

Application and Screening Information

• Only completed applications received by the deadline will be considered for review.
• After the posting close, all applications will be reviewed, and selected candidates will be contacted for the interview process.
• HR does not use AI to scan for MQs.
• Complete applications must include: Completed Online Application (required, submitted through the ATS), Resume (required, attached as a separate document), and complete responses to the supplemental question. Responses such as “See Work History” or “See attached resume” will be disqualified.
• If using education to qualify, include college transcripts (legible copy of official or unofficial transcripts or a foreign credential evaluation report).
• Failure to submit a complete application by the announcement close may result in removal from consideration.
• Transcript note: Applicants may redact information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance/graduation from application materials such as transcripts or certificates.
• Resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed for minimum qualification screening.
• Include a working email address on the application; status correspondence will be conducted via email.