Senior Financial Analyst at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Department



Facilities Strategic Resources Finance Analysis Management 1



About the Department



Facilities Services supports the mission of the University of Chicago through efforts to maintain and enhance the University campus and environment and provide superior client service to our community including faculty, students, staff, neighbors and visitors.



Job Summary



Reporting to the Financial Analysis Management, the Senior Financial Analyst provides support for special projects, assists with ad hoc reporting and addresses requests for information to support the changing business needs of Facilities Services. This position supports the University by recommending and implementing changes in analyses and budgetary methods and procedures, as well as analysis and financial reporting. The Senior Financial Analyst position requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise, interprets internal or external University issues and recommends best practices. This position also solves complex problems, takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions and works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations.



Responsibilities

• Consolidates and analyzes the projections against actual results. Adjusts forecasts monthly and provides variance explanations.
  
  


• Fosters sound financial management of project and operating budgets by conducting financial meetings with all stakeholders. Prepares monthly financial reports, which includes written variance explanations and risk analysis based on actual results and collaboration with clients.
  
  


• Responsible for developing ad hoc reporting requests and monthly close activities such as ensuring contract encumbrances are accurate, recharge fees are properly recorded, and appropriate journal entries are booked. Manage and oversee fees and assessments.
  
  


• Vet and confirm available funding for new contracts and contract changes. Reviews contractors' pay applications to ensure support documentation is sufficient and complies with contract terms, and Standard Operating Procedures. Identify and report any financial risk.
  
  


• Identifies current and future resource planning and allocation issues and develops, leads, and supervises complex studies and analyses that will assist senior staff in reaching resource planning and allocation decisions.
  
  


• Fosters planning and resource allocation by developing benchmarking tools that are useful to analyze expenses and budgets.
  
  


• Drafts updates and contributes to the maintenance of the Finance Policy and Procedure Manual.
  
  


• Provides high-level specialized analysis and administration of the budget process. Reviews and partners with senior staff from all units to ensure budget proposals are accurate, complete, and in compliance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives.
  
  


• Advises others on operational budgets. Reports on variances between the approved budget and actual performance and recommends revised procedures.
  
  


• Provides analytical support for complex budget projects. Analyzes budget estimates and proposals for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives.
  
  


• Support finance team members with reporting tools as needed.
  
  


• Performs other related work as needed.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications




Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:




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Preferred Qualifications




Education:

• BS/BA Accounting, Finance, or Economics.
  
  


• MBA.
  
  

Experience:

• Five years of accounting experience in a University environment.
  
  


• Experience in financial modeling.
  
  

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• High level of Business Objects knowledge.
  
  


• Experience with e-Builder Project Management software.
  
  


• Computer literate in Microsoft Word and other Microsoft Applications. Advanced in Microsoft Excel, which includes advance usage of pivot tables, v-lookups, macros etc.Previous experience developing relational databases (i.e. Access).
  
  


• Strong mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
  
  


• Highly organized and detail-oriented to track multiple open issues in a timely, efficient, and accurate manner.
  
  


• Ability to be an analytical and critical thinker.
  
  


• A capable and eager team-player willing to work well with others within a team-oriented Finance team and demonstrates a professional and cooperative tone with team members and customers.
  
  


• An ability to communicate a complex practice and issue at a practical level.
  
  


• Must have initiative to question, identify, and improve processes/practices.
  
  


• Demonstrate ability to proactively provide innovative financial resources to assist customers in making sound financial decisions and resolve customer concerns and issues.
  
  


• Must be able to provide accurate and timely information consistently.
  
  


• Ability to work in a fast paced, high impact environment.
  
  


• Resourceful, flexible and able to anticipate and resolve problems effectively and efficiently. A capacity for understanding the relationship of specific tasks to the broader operation of the administrative functions.
  
  


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to communicate with clarity, tact, and courtesy, and demonstrate judgment and discretion in the sharing of sensitive information.
  
  


• Strong customer service orientation and the ability to work effectively with a wide variety of constituents, and the ability to work independently without close supervision.
  
  


• Familiarity with providing financial support for constructions projects, operations, utilities and general maintenance for facilities services in higher education.
  
  

Preferred Competencies

• Decision quality and accountability.
  
  


• Business acumen.
  
  


• Performance and execution.
  
  


• Partnership and collaboration.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Ability to sit and stand for two to four hours.
  
  


• Ability to use computers extensively for two to four hours.
  
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
  


• Cover Letter (required)
  
  


• List of References (required)
  
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.



Job Family



Financial Management



Role Impact



Individual Contributor



FLSA Status



Exempt



Pay Frequency



Monthly



Scheduled
Weekly Hours



40



Benefits Eligible



Yes



Drug Test Required



No



Health Screen Required



No



Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required



No



Posting Statement



The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.


Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.


We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.


All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.


The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637. Apply Now