General Ledger Financial Analyst

University of Chicago • Hyde Park, IL

6d • $70,000 - $95,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Polsky Center advances innovative ideas and technologies from the University of Chicago ecosystem to the world. Our team is dedicated to supporting faculty, students, staff, and alumni, as well as other entrepreneurs and local business owners, in navigating the complex process of bringing new products, services, and research to market. The Polsky Center’s programming includes a top-ranked business accelerator, the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge; a multi-disciplinary co-working space called the Polsky Exchange; the George Shultz Innovation Fund that invests in early-stage ventures; and deep tech accelerators focused on areas including quantum, data science and AI, and energy ventures. In addition, the Polsky Center houses the University of Chicago’s technology transfer unit, which manages all University-based intellectual property originating from faculty research and its commercialization. Reporting to the Director, Finance and Accounting, the General Ledger Financial Analyst is responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the organization's general ledger, financial reporting, grant accounting, and equity holdings analysis. This role works closely with Polsky Center leaders to review comprehensive financial information on a periodic basis and collaborates with colleagues across the Polsky Center to ensure that all financial data is accurate, complete, and aligned with institutional objectives. The General Ledger Financial Analyst partners with department heads, the grants team, and senior finance leadership to deliver timely analysis that supports strategic decision-making across the organization.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

• BSc/BA in accounting, finance, or a relevant field. MSc/MA/MBA is a plus.
• Progressive experience in financial planning, general ledger accounting, and controllership, ideally in higher education, industry, or professional services.
• Background with grant accounting, sponsored research, or funded research administration.
• Demonstrated experience with financial policy, systems, and compliance development.
• Proven track record of accuracy, attention to detail, and delivering timely financial reporting in a complex, multi-entity environment.
• Background in higher education will be considered a plus if coupled with a strong background in accounting or business operations.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel coupled with previous experience using financial and accounting systems.
• Working knowledge of finance and accounting principles, laws, and best practices.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while exhibiting the highest personal and professional standards of integrity.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and a clear understanding of organizational strategy.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication, and analytical skills.
• Consistently displays initiative, motivation, discipline, and work effectively and autonomously.
• Work well under pressure and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial and organizational information.

Responsibilities

• Prepares accurate and timely annual budgets and monthly forecasts using the budgeting and planning system, and communicates variance analysis to management in a concise and clear manner.
• Performs award accounting and prepares related journal entries as needed in support of the organization's strategic investment activities.
• Enters grant budgets into the grant management system for both pre-award and accounting purposes, ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements and university policy.
• Reviews and approves funding proposals in coordination with principal investigators and the grants team to authorize expenditures in accordance with award terms.
• Tracks grant deliverables and prepares interim and closing financial reports per contract requirements.
• Processes grant cost corrections through the cost correction workflow system to maintain accurate award balances and ensure proper expense allocation.
• Processes payroll and expense cost corrections through HR and workflow management systems to ensure accurate financial records.
• Records internal transfers and internal billing in the accounting system on a monthly basis.
• Performs monthly bank account reconciliations across accounting, revenue, and bank records to maintain integrity of cash balances.
• Conducts a monthly financial review of designated cost centers and prepares supporting documentation.
• May process annual bad debt write-offs and generate manual billing as needed.
• Processes credit card transactions on a monthly basis and applies cash for manual billing as required.
• Conducts recurring reviews of equity holdings, preparing reports and analyzing valuation data where needed in support of the organization's venture investment strategy.
• Prepares and distributes monthly department budget-to-actual reports and monthly financial packages at the unit, divisional, and consolidated levels, and performs daily general ledger downloads and reconciliations.
• Monitors and reports AP aging on a monthly basis to support cash flow management and vendor relations.
• Reconciles legal invoices monthly in the accounting system and collaborates with the Office of Legal Counsel to ensure proper documentation and timely payment.
• Completes and submits annual tax filings as needed; and as needed prepares annual escheatment documentation and coordinates payment in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Develops and maintains standard operating procedures (SOPs) for general ledger and accounting processes to support operational consistency, knowledge transfer, and compliance.
• Supports the improvement of operational efficiency and strengthens internal controls in compliance with governmental, University, and unit requirements.
• Supports special projects across topics including procurement, financial investment structures or performance, budgeting, and more.
• Analyzes and prepares budgets, creates accounts, and works with the financial accounting system to allocate, authorize, monitor, and control expenses.
• Prepares monthly reports, conducts and correct errors in accounts using existing procedures that are in place, and provides advice on the financial impact of human resources and academic affairs decisions.
• May work with other administrators on the procurement process, allocates expenditures for authorization, and advises in communications regarding funding agencies, subcontractors, and others at the instruction and direction of others.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees