Financial Analyst

Department

OPS 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 Manager, Financial Analysis, the 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. He/she supports the University by recommending and implementing changes in analyses and budgetary methods and procedures as well as analysis and financial reporting. Serving as a liaison with University and departmental financial administrators, the Financial Analyst has responsibility for compiling and monitoring all financial, budgeting, and accounting reporting.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing the day to day finances. Ensures that budgets are set-up properly and adjustments are made timely.  Provides specialized analysis and administration of the budget.
• Prepares and advises on operational and/or capital budgets for all Facilities Services units. Provides analytical support for more complex budget projects. Analyzes budget estimates and proposals for completeness; accuracy; and conformance with established departmental and University procedures, regulations, and objectives.
• Verifies 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. 
• Fosters sound financial management of project budgets by conducting financial meetings with all stakeholders. Prepares weekly financial reports, which includes written variance explanations and risk analysis based on actual results and collaboration with clients. Recommend budget revisions, reallocations, and budget cuts to avoid or alleviate deficits.
• Responsible for developing ad hoc reporting requests and monthly close activities such as ensuring contract encumbrances are accurate, and recharge fees are properly recorded, and appropriate journal entries are booked.  Manage and oversee fees and assessments.
• Fosters planning and resource allocation by developing benchmarking tools that are useful to analyze expenses and budgets.
• Prepares updates and contributes to the maintenance of the Finance Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Supports finance team members with reporting tools as needed.
• Provides analytical support for moderately complex budget projects. Analyzes budget estimates and proposals for completeness; accuracy; and conformance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives.
• Reports on variances between the approved budget and actual performance and recommends revised procedures.
• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• BS/BA Accounting, Finance, or relevant field of study.

• MBA.

Experience:

• Five years of progressive financial experience.

• Financial and/or accounting experience in a university environment.

• Experience in financial modeling.

• Has a deep understanding of operational budgets for departments or other operational units.

• Reports on variances between the approved budget and actual performance and recommends revised procedures.

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

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 in order 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.

• Ability to communicate, both verbally and written, with high level 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 in order 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 Reference (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$72,250.00 - $85,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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.

 

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.

 

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.