Finance Administrator
About the Company
For more than 125 years, the University of Chicago has forged its own path. This has led to new schools of thought and a transformative education for students, and laid the groundwork for breakthroughs across the sciences, medicine, economics, law, business, history, culture, the arts, and humanistic inquiry.
The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth leverages the University’s unique legacy and resources to balance the risks of a changing climate with the essential need for human progress. It does so by combining frontier research in economics and climate policy, and key energy and climate technologies, with a pioneering approach to education that provides a 360-degree understanding of the climate and growth challenge. The Institute also seeds interdisciplinary research that explores new topics in this ever-evolving field and deploys practical, effective solutions in countries central to this challenge.
About the Job
The Finance Administrator will act as the primary financial and analytical liaison for assigned departments and initiatives, overseeing budget development and providing comprehensive financial management support. This role will drive the development and integration of unit-specific financial data analytics and reporting, focusing on establishing standardized metrics and methodologies to evaluate both University-wide and department-level financial performance. Additionally, the Finance Administrator will contribute to the formulation of long- and short-term financial goals, business strategies, and financial forecasts. The role involves coordinating quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget, leveraging a solid understanding of financial principles.
Responsibilities
Analyzes, reviews, and tracks comprehensive financial activities for the Climate and Energy (CEI), Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), Climate Systems Engineering Initiative (CSEi), the Energy and Environment Lab (E&E Lab) and the various programs/initiatives, primarily in the areas of finance, auditing, budgeting and forecasting, purchasing, and other operational-related financial activities
Plans, develops, and manages budgets, including developing multi-year budget forecasts
Oversees the review, approval, and reporting of all expenditure goods and services, and costing allocations
Monitors and reconciles actual expenditures and revenue against budget and prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual variance reports for the Finance Manager and leadership. Works closely with departments to understand variances and develop recommendations for programmatic changes or cost containment strategies to avoid deficits
Reviews financial reports for consistency and accuracy. Flags potential errors to be investigated and corrected. Prepares and submits account corrections as necessary, including both payroll and non-payroll
Oversees and tracks multi-year faculty fund support packages. Provides faculty periodic reports of spend and available balance
Works in close partnership with UChicago Global and UC Trust to oversee, process, and manage transfer of funds for international programmatic activities
Prepares and submits financial transactions through the University systems in Oracle and Concur
Assists staff with the GEMS system and runs reports to ensure that transactions are reconciled at regular intervals
Builds and maintains complex financial models using Excel and other analysis and reporting tools and systems as necessary
Assists and prepares various presentations/trainings to convey financial and administrative matters to leadership and members of the assigned departments
Coordinates and manages Calls for Proposals and awarding of internal grant funds to faculty. Assists faculty and staff with review and execution of contracts and data use agreements; works to understand needs, assesses contract suitability to meeting those needs, and negotiates with vendors to ensure contracts comply with university standards and guidelines
Assists the Finance Manager to develop and implement metrics and methodologies toolkits for evaluating financial performance for both the unit overall and specific assigned departments
Assists the Finance Manager in the annual budget process such as preparing departmental budget packets and inputting budgets into Oracle Planning Module, UCPlan
Helps to develop and maintain a Financial Administration manual for staff with relevant University policies and procedures
Assists with various payment processing in Oracle and may work with other team members on the procurement process
Liaise as necessary with staff and Financial Services
Acts as a primary account administrator for account owners in an intensive customer service environment
Routinely prepares budgets, creates accounts, and works with the financial accounting system to allocate, authorize, monitor, and control expenses
Helps to prepare 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
Performs other related work as needed
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
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
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field
Knowledge of financial computing and database software application
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, which includes usage of pivot tables, v-lookups, macros, and formatting
Knowledge of various financial principles, practices, and applications including budgeting, financial planning, and financial reporting
Background with accounting systems and budget systems
Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills. Detail-oriented and prioritize and complete multiple concurrent projects
Demonstrates capacity to work independently in an organized detailed manner while maintaining a collaborative team environment
Exercise sound judgment and absolute discretion regarding confidential matters with tact
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Demonstrated time management ability to deliver high-integrity products within established deadlines
Personable, professional, and consultative work style
