Careers

Job Description:

• Maintains the chart of accounts used by both the University FAS system and  partner international accounting services providers.
• Leads the reconciliation of monthly financial data, the preparation of monthly variance reports and annual effort reports, supports the year end close  and budgeting process.
• Performs general accounting tasks, such as monitoring accounts, preparing financial projections and/or reports, and account creation, reconciliation and closing.
• Leads the processes for paying vendors, trouble shooting account set-up for vendors and independent contractors as needed, and advises internal unit administrators on the procurement process.
• Prepares monthly Financial reporting for the Faculty Director, Executive Director, and other relevant unit or project leads.
• Coordinates and monitors the accounting for grant and donation revenue.
• Oversees the review and approval process for monthly payroll reports and contract approvals.
• Consolidates financial information for DEC, DIL, Weiss Fund, and other sources and reports as needed.
• Provides required institutional reporting to the Becker Friedman Institute as needed.
• Creatively problem solves the unique accounting and reporting needs of an international academic organization.
• Handles special projects as assigned.
• Assists the Executive Director in developing and generating periodic financial progress reports, building budget projections for administrative and fundraising needs.
• Serves as lead and primary contact during audits to ensure that all audits are to standard, checked and complete for submission before the deadline.
• Works independently to maintain and support the planning and execution of financial strategy.
• Works with Chicago, Kenya, India, Pakistan, Uganda, and other location staff, and any local external accounting services providers to ensure that the University has an effective financial oversight structure and accounts reporting regime in place, as well as the ability to provide timely delivery of financial transaction processing.
• Develops procedures and tools to assist personnel with compliance with University accounting requirements.
• Develops and maintains productive working relations with the UChicago and BFIâ™s Accounting, and the University Financial Services offices, and other University partners.
• Keeps abreast of changes to University financial systems, policies, regulations and guidelines.
• Provides relevant training to new hires, assists internal units with GEMS, e-Payment and other transactions as needed, acts as a resource for University systems.
• Guides others and acts as a resource on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
• Acts as a resource for team members, solves complex problems. Explains complex and sensitive information.
• Serves as an experienced liaison interacting with financial administrators within operational units on financial, budget, or accounting matters to prepare, advise and recommend.
• Ensures University of Chicago compliance standards are met across all accounts and transactions in accordance with each institutionâ™s requirements and guidelines.
• Serves as an experienced liaison interacting with financial administrators within operational units on financial, budget or accounting matters to prepare, advise and recommend.
• Provides financial input based on the development of data collection, metrics, reports and other analytical applications.
• Analyze, organize and communicate business information to ensure deliverables are meeting or exceeding expectations.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelorâ™s degree in accounting or finance.
• Masterâ™s degree in accounting or MBA.

Experience:

• Minimum 6 years of experience in accrual accounting
• Progressively responsible work experience in sponsored programs administration.
• Senior-level skills in pre-award, post-award, and contract administration.
• Experiences within research-intensive environments and supporting highly productive and motivated research faculty and staff, on an academic research institution, research foundation, or industry / corporate research setting.  

Certifications:

• CPA.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Accounting and budgeting experience.
• Project management skills; plan tasks for teams, monitor progress, make corrections to plans.
• Strong budget management skills.
• Team player with good problem solving and time management skills.
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills.

Preferred Competencies

• Familiarity with standard business practices and advise the Faculty Director and Executive Director on policies and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including standard business English, spelling, arithmetic, letter and report format, and forms.
• Excellent knowledge of accounting and audit procedures.
• Proven ability to organize complex projects, obtain partnerâ™s cooperation, work through problems and deliver a clean finished product on time consistently.
• Consistently work effectively with diverse constituencies such as staff, faculty, students, accounting firms, and vendors.

Working Conditions

• This position is expected to work an average of three days per week in the office.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)
• Work Sample (required)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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 the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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About University of Chicago (UC)

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