Finance and Administration Specialist

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Chicago Law School occupies a unique niche among this country's premier law schools. Located on a residential campus in one of America's great cities, UChicago Law offers a rigorous and interdisciplinary professional education that blends the study of law with the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. Students, faculty, and staff form a small, tightly knit community devoted to the life of the mind. The Finance and Administration Specialist reports to the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and will help coordinate analysis and reporting for the Law School's operating, endowment, gifts, capital, and other internal budgets. This role will support the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis by providing budget, financial, and analytical input and by assisting with special projects. This role will also provide administrative support for the Law Human Resources department.

Requirements

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in finance or related field strongly preferred.
Experience with Oracle Cloud ERP and/or chart of accounts strongly preferred.
Strong financial and analytical skills.
Communicate accounting and financial information clearly and concisely.
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
Develop strong working relationships with internal units and University-wide offices.
Think strategically and translate into operational objectives.
Independently develop and analyze alternative solutions and make recommendations.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and tact.
Time management skills and the ability to handle multiple, concurrent tasks within deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact professionally and diplomatically with individuals across the division and university.
Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changes in workflow and procedures.
Ability to work independently and complete projects on time and accurately with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

Assist and provide support to prepare annual budgets, create internal tracking mechanisms, ensure compliance with policies, procedures and leadership’s expectations, and perform research, reporting and analysis as directed.
Act as a resource and provide general training to faculty and staff; assist internal units with University financial systems, as needed.
Oversee monitoring of all procurement activities, including approval of purchasing and expenditure activities.
Assist staff with transactions in Oracle, Concur, and Workday, and provide guidance on University procurement policies.
Manage all graduate and undergraduate student employment for the Law School.
Work with faculty and Law School colleagues to ensure GSU compliance and resolve any student employment issues.
Perform all related accounting functions required to maintain the general ledger, such as monitoring accounts, preparing financial projections and/or reports, and account creation, reconciliation and closing, in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and University policies and procedures.
Reconcile monthly financial data, assist in the preparation of monthly variance reports and annual effort reports, support the year-end close process.
Make deposits, track gifts, payments and pledges to ensure proper allocation, reconcile stale dated checks and monthly wire transfers.
Submit journal entries and expense transfers in Oracle as needed.
Process payments to vendors as needed, assist with account set-up for vendors and independent contractors, advise internal unit administrators on the procurement process.
Provide administrative support to the Human Resources team as needed.
Help to prepare monthly reports, conduct and correct errors in accounts using existing procedures that are in place, and provide advice on the financial impact of human resources and academic affairs decisions.
Work with other administrators on the procurement process, allocate expenditures for authorization, and advise in communications regarding funding agencies, subcontractors, and others at the instruction and direction of others.
Perform other related work as needed.