Financial Coordinator

Job Summary

Supports a university accounting-related area or program under supervision of the area manager. Supports a school/dept's financial operations. Reviews a portfolio of multiple schools/depts' financial operations comprised primarily of standard and routine work. Provides transactional oversight.

Specific Responsibilities

• Budget: Prepares materials for annual budget planning such as analysis, budget performance reports & year-end close data. Provides updated budget estimates & account research. Ensures lead schedules are prepared. Guides units of responsibility through university budgeting and forecasting processes, reviews budget and forecasting submissions. Serves a primary role in the development & implementation of annual budget including fiscal resource allocation of appropriated, discretionary, endowment & gift revenues & expenses. Coordinates &/or provides information for annual salary review process.
• Analysis, Statements & Reporting: Creates daily, monthly &/or annual analysis & reports regarding area/unit, grants &/or awards, accounts, funds, payroll, expense &/or revenue allocation, etc. Prepares financial analysis and lead schedules for supplies, equipment, &/or personnel decisions. Assists with monthly/quarterly/annual journal entries, reports and statements. Provides support for annual audit work papers. 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. Controls account availability for all chart strings. Provides support for internal audit requests.
• Grants &/or Awards: Provides assistance regarding grant financial administration such as preparing financial information for grant submission. Completes post award accounting. Sets-up sub-contracts &/or start-up research accounts. Modifies grant budgets. Reviews, forecasts, and budgets grants performance. Closes grants. Approves expenditures on travel, consulting &/or equipment, along with various forms, such as Intra Institutional Vouchers, Requests for Accounting Corrections, the Research Assistant and Scholarship Appointments, &/or payroll adjustments, in accordance with granting agency guidelines & University policies & procedures. Processes subcontract payments according to rules & regulations of granting agencies. Reconciles subcontract payments. Verifies payroll funding entries. Corrects charges to various accounts.
• Administration: Processes & presents data & information through the application of database, graphic & spreadsheet software. Obtains data by downloading from enterprise system; develops and runs queries. Completes special financial projects such as: (enter in explanation of special projects). Performs general office support activities.
• Training: Assists with training of new staff members. Creates & provides financial training on practice, procedure, policy &/or laws & regulations to customers.
• Supervision: Supervises temporary, part-time or work study students. Provides work direction to others. Supervises other employees. Assists with hiring employees.
• Miscellaneous: Performed other duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as accounting, business administration, finance, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 1 year financial, budgeting &/or preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies

• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
• Familiarity with financial reporting.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include 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; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html.

Work-Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.