Analyst, Finance Service Delivery Unit, Basic Science Departments
University of Chicago
Summary
The job coordinates projects in monitoring the operating and capital budgets for divisions and/or University-wide administrative units. At the instruction of others, performs work that contributes to development of long and short term financial goals, business strategies/plans, and financial forecasts/models for major service programs and initiatives. Utilizes moderate knowledge of finance to help coordinate quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget. Under the supervision of the Manager, Finance Service Delivery, this position provides financial and accounting support to the Department. Performs Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable tasks to ensure timely and accurate payment of invoices and billing. Provides analytical support for routine budget projects. Monthly monitors the financial statements by reviewing reports and accounting records to determine if allocated funds have been spent as specified. May be involved in long-range financial planning. Complete ad hoc reporting/analysis and miscellaneous other tasks as needed.
Job description
Responsibilities
- Provide reporting/analysis for the Service Delivery Unit (SDU), including report generation, analysis, projections, and verification of accuracy of financial information.
- Initiates and tracks on external billing agreements and prepares associated monthly/quarterly invoicing.
- Assists Director/Manager in reporting deliverables and department functions; maintains key performance indicator reports/dashboards in research.
- Participates in and contributes to the creation of the annual operating budget, with an understanding of key assumptions such as base allocation and low salary recovery methodology.
- Performs Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable tasks to ensure timely and accurate payment of invoices and billing.
- Assists Director/Manager in preparing gift check deposit journal entry, IADF awards fund update and reconciliation between GL and IADF awards. And ensuring compliance in depositing funds to the correct COA/POETAF segment.
- Serves as a resource to departmental stakeholders for questions regarding faculty fund management and departmental fund usage and financial management.
- Responsible for annual benchmark survey completion.
- Provides assistance to departments and SDUs in chart of account utilization.
- Leverages Excel and other available tools to streamline and automate reports.
- Analyzes and prepares budgets, creates accounts, and works with the financial accounting system to allocate, authorize, monitor, and control expenses.
- Prepares monthly reports, conducts and corrects errors in accounts using existing procedures that are in place, and provides advice on the financial impact of human resources and academic affairs decisions.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: ---
Preferred Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or equivalent strongly preferred. Experience: A minimum of three years of accounting, finance, or equivalent experience. Experience working in a University setting strongly preferred. Financial modeling experience strongly preferred.
Technical Skills or Knowledge
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically.
- Ability to develop and analyze alternative solutions and assist in making recommendations.
- Ability to comprehend and interpret various financial concepts and principles.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills.
- Financial modeling skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Flexibility and ability to work effectively and gracefully under considerable time pressure with competing deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Competencies
- Strong analytical skills.
- Strong practical knowledge of financial analysis methodologies.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to establish and maintain relationships at all organizational levels.
- Intellectual versatility and creativity.
- Ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
- Ability to work non-traditional hours when necessary.
- Ability to independently complete projects on time and accurately with minimal supervision.
Working Conditions
Office environment.
Requirements
- College or university degree in related field
- 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or equivalent strongly preferred
- A minimum of three years of accounting, finance, or equivalent experience
- Experience working in a University setting strongly preferred
- Financial modeling experience strongly preferred
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically
- Ability to develop and analyze alternative solutions and assist in making recommendations
- Ability to comprehend and interpret various financial concepts and principles
- Strong analytical and organizational skills
- Financial modeling skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Flexibility and ability to work effectively and gracefully under considerable time pressure with competing deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Strong analytical skills
- Strong practical knowledge of financial analysis methodologies
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to establish and maintain relationships at all organizational levels
- Intellectual versatility and creativity
- Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
- Ability to work non-traditional hours when necessary
- Ability to independently complete projects on time and accurately with minimal supervision
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Retirement plan
- Paid time off
Company overview
The University of Chicago is a world-renowned private research university founded in 1890 and located in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. As a premier academic institution, it operates one of the most comprehensive biomedical research enterprises in the United States through its Biological Sciences Division, which includes over 1,100 faculty members across 10 basic science and 14 clinical departments. The university manages extensive research infrastructure including the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, multiple specialized research institutes, and maintains affiliations with Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. With research funding exceeding $450 million annually and more than 3,300 patents filed since 1987, the institution is a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation. The Biological Sciences Division alone supports over 500 research-active faculty who secure an average of $588,000 in NIH funding per principal investigator, focusing on areas including cancer biology, immunology, microbiology, molecular metabolism, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology. The university's commitment to interdisciplinary research and its unique position as manager of national laboratories creates unparalleled opportunities for translational research and scientific advancement.