Senior Financial Analyst

JOB DESCRIPTION:NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst to support Projects in our Financial Management and Analysis Department in our Chicago, IL office. The Senior Financial Analyst (SFA) is responsible for cost monitoring on the department''s projects and e to work every day energized and ready to add value through hard/smart work, critical thinking, and quality work products. Take responsibility for financial planning, analysis, and cost monitoring to ensure NORC''s compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and federal government accounting standards. Leverage your strong accounting and compliance background to drive process and policy improvements. Support leadership teams in a rapidly evolving research landscape to budget proposals, manage project budgets, develop tools/templates to drive efficiency and quality, understand and adhere to all compliance regulations, and develop strong working relationships with our corporate finance, accounting, and contracting teams. Join our cohesive and motivated team that likes to have fun and do great work, all while developing the skills that will launch your career path in the right direction.As a condition of employment, all NORC employees and contractors - including those working remotely - must be fully vaccinated to comply with the Executive Order issued by President Biden on September 9, 2021.DEPARTMENT: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSISNORC''s Financial Management and Analysis department plays a pivotal role across the entire NORC ecosystem. Members of the team ensure that NORC''s financial management functions are fully aligned and integrated so we can support NORC''s work to provide trustworthy data to decision-makers around the world. The FM&A department directly supports research departments and projects, and works closely with the other administrative departments, particularly the Accounting and Finance and Contracts and Grants, to navigate the complex government regulatory environment.RESPONSIBILITIES:Provide financial leadership for all Health Care Evaluation Department budgets, revenue and indirect spending forecasts, and departmental and corporate reporting activitiesDeliver analysis of weekly, monthly, and quarterly financial results including the interpretation of information as a predictive tool for attainment of performance expectationsImplement financial monitoring tools to proactively provide senior managers and project directors with concise information regarding at the moment performance and early warning of projected cost variancesReview project and vendor invoices, expense reports, cost reports, purchase requisitions, and other project-related expenses to ensure compliance with all accounting standards and regulationsManage project billing, monitor project receivables, and address client budget and billing inquires, as needed. Prepare monthly cost reports for submission to clientsImplement closeout procedures at project completionContribute to proposal development by creating budgets as specified by the client and/or project directors with a sound understanding of NORC budgeting principles and all compliance standardsSupervise and train budget analysts and financial analysts, as necessaryREQUIRED SKILLS:Bachelor''s Degree in economics, finance, or finance-related area is required; MBA preferredAt least five (5) years of experience handling a wide range of financial responsibilities as a senior financial analyst, financial analyst, or a similar role with cost accounting experience, preferably in a professional services/consulting or contract research companyDeep understanding of GAAP and federal government accounting regulations, with experience understanding contracting terms as they relate to financial mattersHands on financial planning and analysis experience, demonstrating strong analytic and problem solving skillsAbility to synthesize complex financial data and present analyses/results using sophisticated P&L reports and charts/graphsProven experience with all project financial monitoring tasks including budgeting, revenue projections, and cost monitoring in accordance with GAAP and government accounting regulationsExperience developing and implementing processes and procedures to ensure staff adhere to all departmental and corporate standards, rules, and regulationsAbility to analyze budget information to provide early warning of projected cost variances from budgetExcellent planning/organizational skills and attention to detail, sound judgment, dedicated to meeting tight deadlines and producing high quality work while managing competing priorities, sometimes working under pressureStrong interpersonal skills with an ability to work with staff across departments and levels; ability to communicate and explain financial results to non-finance staffHigh degree of proficiency with Excel including creating vlookups and pivot tables; prior experience with Cost Point and FocusPoint is a plusExperience supervising junior staff or willingness to learnWHAT WE DO:NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.WHO WE ARE:For over 75 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we''re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.EEO STATEMENT: NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally- protected characteristics.

Created: 2021-11-29