Financial Administrator

Budget

• Participates in determination of budget including fiscal resource allocation of appropriated, discretionary, endowment &/or gift revenues.
• Prepares analysis & reports.
• Provides account research.
• Affords assistance with budget projects.
• Updates budget estimates & provides commitment tracking support for all financial activity.
• Ensures lead schedules are prepared.
• Guides units of responsibility through university budgeting and forecasting processes, reviews budget and forecasting submissions.
• Acts a Budget Office expert on units and functions within portfolio of responsibilities.
• Covers annual salary review process.
• Reviews & reconciles actual expenses to budget per NU Audit guidelines.
• Approves funds reallocation within budget as necessary & appropriate.

Analysis, Statements & Reporting

• Creates daily, monthly, annual, &/or project end analysis & reports regarding area/unit, grants &/or awards, accounts, funds, payroll, expense &/or revenue allocation, customer service activity, etc.
• Prepares financial analysis and lead schedules for supplies, equipment, &/or personnel decisions.
• Records journal entries and creates reports.
• Performs financial account reconciliations, statement analysis, and transaction research.
• Provides support for annual audit workpapers and quarterly financial statement workpapers.
• Maintains, and updates financial models and analysis.

Transactions

• Provides review and oversight of all types of financial transactions some of which may be complex in regard to size or duration of account.
• Enters individual &/or summary of transactions into journals &/or general ledger or other NU enterprise system.
• Reviews; ensures approval based on alternatives regarding practice & policy; analyzes and classifies transactions in accordance with established chart or coding of accounts; creates new accounts; prepares, processes, reconciles & provides receipts (as appropriate) for transactions.
• Processes transfer &/or appropriation charges & may balance &/or close accounts.
• Troubleshoots problems; performs vendor/account research as needed; obtains additional information from or provides instruction & guidance for customers/vendors; corrects or escalates.
• Maintains Chart of Account lists.
• Prepares & delivers bank deposits
• Accesses multiple banking systems to process transactions, retrieve information, &/or initiate wire transfers.
• Provides financial policy interpretation to determine the validity of customer requests & ensure compliance.
• Contacts outside agencies, banks &/or banking systems to obtain clarification of rules &/or regulations.
• Reviews status of related university accounts, transactions and processes; troubleshoots issues as needed.

Grants &/or Awards

• Works with Dept &/or Research Administrator regarding financial grants management issues.
• Interacts with faculty, staff &/or funders to build relationships, transfer knowledge, &/or advise on research policies & procedures

Administration

• Processes & presents data & information through the application of database, graphic & spreadsheet software.
• Obtains data by downloading from enterprise systems; develops and runs queries.
• Identifies sources for data & information to be used & completes special financial projects such as (enter in explanation of special projects):

Training

• Provides training and support to related university units or program participants; maintains website and training materials

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or related field; OR 2 years financial administration work experience; OR equivalent combination education and experience where similar knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acquired.
• 2 years financial, budgeting &/or preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis experience.

Minimum Competencies

• Familiarity with Northwestern financial systems
• Experience with budget processes
• Exceptional accounting and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to take initiative

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Paid medical/sick and parental leave
• Tuition benefits for the employee and dependents
• Pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care
• Generous retirement savings options
• Wellness programs

Work-Life and Wellness

• Comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
• Supports flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care.

Professional Growth & Development

• Supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home.
• Offers a variety of tools and resources.

Pay Range

$56,780.00 - $70,978.00 per year.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement.