Banner Finance Consultant

Role Overview

The Banner Finance Consultant (Audit Support) provides short‑term, hands‑on support for financial audit preparation in a higher education environment. This role partners closely with Finance leadership to identify audit data requirements, extract and validate Banner Finance data, and deliver accurate, audit‑ready datasets within a compressed timeline. The role requires strong functional Banner Finance knowledge, advanced SQL skills, and the ability to operate independently in a fast‑moving environment.

Key Responsibilities

Audit Support & Requirements Definition

• Partner with Finance stakeholders to identify and define audit data needs
• Translate audit and financial requirements into clear data extraction specifications
• Support preparation for audit and board‑level review within defined timelines

Data Extraction, Validation & Reconciliation

• Extract data from Ellucian Banner Finance (version 9, on‑prem) using SQL
• Validate, reconcile, and ensure accuracy of financial datasets
• Support audit activities across General Ledger, Purchasing, and Accounts Payable

Reporting & Data Delivery

• Build clean, organized, audit‑ready datasets for internal and external review
• Support reporting needs using SQL extracts or business intelligence tools
• Ensure completeness and traceability of delivered data

Collaboration & Communication

• Act as a bridge between Finance users and technical teams
• Provide system clarity and context where documentation is limited
• Communicate findings, risks, and status updates clearly to stakeholders

Environment Navigation & Quality Assurance

• Operate effectively in an environment with limited documentation and recent system transitions
• Ensure consistency with financial controls, audit standards, and approval requirements

Required Qualifications

• Strong functional experience with Ellucian Banner Finance in a higher education environment
• Hands‑on expertise using SQL for data extraction, validation, and reconciliation
• Experience supporting financial audits or financial reporting initiatives
• Deep understanding of General Ledger structures, purchasing workflows, and Accounts Payable
• Ability to work independently in fast‑paced and ambiguous environments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior audit support experience within higher education
• Exposure to Power BI or similar reporting and analytics tools
• Experience working with legacy systems or environments with limited documentation

Core Skills & Attributes

• Strong analytical and attention‑to‑detail skills
• Practical, solution‑oriented mindset
• Ability to translate financial requirements into technical deliverables
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills
• Comfortable engaging directly with senior Finance stakeholders
• Adaptability and resilience under tight timelines

Benefits

• Competitive salary

Location

Fully Remote (Eastern Time Zone availability preferred)

Experience Level

Mid--Senior Level (5 or more years of relevant experience)