Financial Analyst

University of Chicago•Hyde Park, IL

11d

About The Position

The Financial Analyst supports billing and collection of payments for sponsored projects at the University of Chicago. The role identifies funds to draw from federal sponsors, bills non-federal sponsors, confirms billing follows designated payment terms, claims incoming wires, and receives and deposits payments. The analyst reviews sponsor payment terms and works directly with university administrators, faculty, sponsors, and other stakeholders. Customer service, civility, and professionalism are priorities. The position facilitates fiscal operations for federal funding, reconciles university and federal systems for expenditures and income, and manages billing for assigned sponsors. It analyzes projects and reports to support timely billing, identifies and resolves invoicing and data-integrity issues, and ensures cash is appropriately applied. The analyst applies independent judgment and knowledge of Uniform Guidance, GAAP, and university policies and procedures to support compliance with federal sponsor requirements. The role also maintains data in institutional systems, answers billing and collections questions, develops understanding of university and sponsor regulations, and contributes to process improvement. The position performs operating and cost accounting activities, interprets accounting records, and prepares or drafts financial statements and reports. It requires rapid proficiency with university and sponsor systems, advanced reporting and spreadsheet skills, sound judgment, discretion, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. Some evening and weekend work may be required. The role is an individual-contributor position scheduled for 37.5 hours per week.

Requirements

College or university degree in a related field.
Two to five years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Knowledge and experience in the discipline, with the ability to solve a range of problems using standard procedures.
Strong technical skills and ability to work with research-administration systems, sponsor portals, and help-desk ticketing systems.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, including VLOOKUPs, INDEX MATCH, pivot tables, and custom formulas.
Strong computer skills, including word processing, database management, and spreadsheet skills; Microsoft Office and Adobe Suite are required.
Ability to develop proficiency with various sponsor and third-party electronic systems.
Ability to work independently with initiative and minimal supervision, collaborate with university administrators and faculty, and make decisions with downstream impacts on sponsored-project management.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and a courteous, service-oriented approach.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations discreetly.
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment with ambiguity.
Sound judgment, proactive problem-solving, adaptability, and ability to maintain composure under pressure and respond constructively to feedback.
Ability to work flexible hours as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Accounting; strongly preferred.
Advanced degree.
Experience interpreting sponsored research grants and contracts and working with budgets, ledgers, invoices, and fiscal reporting.
Knowledge of Uniform Guidance or experience interpreting similar regulations.
Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Experience in a sponsored-programs research-administration office or academic environment.
Experience with University of Chicago systems such as AURA, FAS, ACCTS/PETS, and Business Objects.
Experience with Huron Research Suite or similar systems.
Advanced proficiency in Business Objects, including the ability to understand reporting practices, troubleshoot issues, create complex reports, and interpret exported data.
Ability to creatively troubleshoot technical issues and reach timely resolutions.

Responsibilities

Identify funds to be drawn from federal sponsors and issue bills to non-federal sponsors.
Confirm accounts are billed according to designated payment terms; claim incoming wires, receive payments, and arrange deposits.
Facilitate fiscal operations for federal funding, including direct and pass-through funding.
Liaise between federal financial managers, university faculty, and program officers regarding award modifications.
Coordinate between department administrators and URA Post Award Administrators.
Apply independent judgment and knowledge of Uniform Guidance, GAAP, and university policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal sponsor requirements.
Reconcile university and federal systems related to expenditures and income.
Manage university billing related to assigned sponsors and resolve invoicing problems and issues.
Analyze projects and business-intelligence reports to proactively manage timely billing.
Analyze reports for data integrity, diagnose errors, and make necessary corrections.
Collaborate with the Credit Union, Treasury, and Bursar’s Office to ensure cash is appropriately applied.
Partner with Post Award Research Administrators, URA Contracting, and business units or departments as needed.
Address questions and issues related to sponsored-project billing and collections.
Maintain appropriate data entry in institutional systems and databases for billing and collections work.
Maintain a thorough understanding of university and sponsor regulations and identify opportunities to improve billing and collection processes.
Perform operating or cost accounting activities, interpret accounting records, and draft income, balance sheet, consolidated, and other accounting statements and reports.
Perform other related work as needed.