Financial Coordinator

Department: MCC Chem & Biol Engg
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Target hiring range for this position will be between $51,350 - $63,674 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Job Summary:

Under general direction, performs specialized budget and accounting functions of a semi-complex nature in support of the McCormick Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering operating programs, projects and grants. Under the guidance of the department Business Administrator, supports the preparation of the annual budget and monitoring of the budget throughout the fiscal year provides transactional oversight and manages the daily financial operations of the department, ensuring financial administration activities are completed in a timely, accurate, and compliant manner. Initiates, reviews and analyzes department financial data from several sources to administer and maintain strategic plans used in financial planning, budgeting and/or operations. In collaboration with the Business Administrator and Research Administrator, monitors sponsored and non-sponsored budgets and manages related activities such as payroll, salary recovery and cost sharing.

Supports a university accounting-related area or program under supervision of the area manager. Supports a school/dept's financial operations. Reviews a portfolio of multiple schools/depts' financial operations comprised primarily of standard and routine work. Provides transactional oversight. Applies industry and professional standards, university policy and procedure, federal and state laws and other regulations (as applicable). Represents &/or guides business area on internal &/or external financial affairs by exchanging information.

• Accounting policy & procedure
• Accounts payable
• Additional/special pay
• Analysis
• Balancing
• Bank and balance sheet acct
• Bank deposits
• Budget
• Expense reimbursement
• Financial Statements
• Forecasting
• Grants &/or awards
• Journal &/or ledger
• Payroll
• Purchase orders
• Reconciliation
• Reporting
• Salary administration
• Student funding
• Transfer charges

Specific Responsibilities:

Budget:

• Prepares materials for annual budget planning such as analysis, budget performance reports & year-end close data.
• Provides updated budget estimates & account research.

Analysis, Statements & Reporting:

• Creates daily, monthly &/or annual analysis & reports regarding area/unit, grants &/or awards, accounts, funds, payroll, expense &/or revenue allocation, etc.
• Prepares financial analysis and lead schedules for supplies, equipment, &/or personnel decisions.
• Assists with monthly/quarterly/annual journal entries, reports and statements

Transactions:

• Provides review and oversight of all types of financial transactions some of which may be complex in regard to size or duration of account.
• Enters individual &/or summary of transactions into journals &/or general ledger or other NU enterprise system.
• Reviews; ensures approval based on alternatives regarding practice & policy; analyzes and classifies transactions in accordance with established chart or coding of accounts; creates new accounts; prepares, processes, reconciles & provides receipts (as appropriate) for transactions.
• Processes transfer &/or appropriation charges & may balance &/or close accounts.
• Troubleshoots problems; performs vendor/account research as needed; obtains additional information from or provides instruction & guidance for customers/vendors; corrects or escalates.
• Maintains Chart of Account lists.
• Prepares & delivers bank deposits.
• Accesses multiple banking systems to process transactions, retrieve information, &/or initiate wire transfers.
• Provides financial policy interpretation to determine the validity of customer requests & ensure compliance.
• Contacts outside agencies, banks &/or banking systems to obtain clarification of rules &/or regulations.
• Controls account availability for all chart strings.
• Provides support for internal audit requests.

Grants &/or Awards:

• Provides assistance regarding grant financial administration such as preparing financial information for grant submission.
• Completes post award accounting.
• Sets-up sub-contracts &/or start-up research accounts.
• Modifies grant budgets.
• Reviews, forecasts, and budgets grants performance
• Closes grants.
• Approves expenditures on travel, consulting &/or equipment, along with various forms, such as Intra Institutional Vouchers, Requests for Accounting Corrections, the Research Assistant and Scholarship Appointments, &/or payroll adjustments, in accordance with granting agency guidelines & University policies & procedures.
• Processes subcontract payments according to rules & regulations of granting agencies.
• Reconciles subcontract payments.
• Verifies payroll funding entries.
• Corrects charges to various accounts.

Administration:

• Processes & presents data & information through the application of database, graphic & spreadsheet software.
• Obtains data by downloading from enterprise system; develops and runs queries.
• Completes special financial projects such as: (enter in explanation of special projects):
• Performs general office support activities.

Training:

• Assists with training of new staff members
• Creates & provides financial training on practice, procedure, policy &/or laws & regulations to customers.

Supervision

• Assists with hiring employees

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or related field; OR 2 years financial administration work experience; OR equivalent combination education and experience where similar knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acquired.
• 1 year financial, budgeting &/or preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
• Familiarity with financial reporting.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles, methods & procedures, and financial reporting
• Ability to complete accurate budget plans and reports and forecasts.
• Ability to evaluate budget scenarios and to interpret and analyze budget and accounting reports.
• Fluent in Excel. Competent in Word and other Windows applications.
• Solid interpersonal skills, diplomatic, maintains confidentiality and exercised discretion in handling financial matter.
• Efficient, able to multi-task.
• Self-directed. Assumes responsibility for one's work; takes initiative. Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to identify, research, and solve problems.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous business experience in a university academic setting desirable.
• Knowledgeable and experienced with People Soft NU Financials and the NU FASIS system.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.