Financial Coordinator

Department: WCAS Life Sciences
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Job Summary:

Life Sciences Financial Services (LSFS) manages the financial, human resources, research administration, purchasing, and receiving needs for the departments of Neurobiology and Molecular Biosciences, as well as serving the programs in Interdepartmental Biological Sciences (IBiS) and Plant Biology and Conservation(PBC).

This is a full-time position, with a maximum of 2 days a week remote option after probation period.

• 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.

Specific Responsibilities:

Analysis, Statements & Reporting:

• Creates daily, monthly &/or annual analysis & reports regarding area/unit, grants &/or awards, accounts, funds, payroll, expense &/or revenue allocation, etc
• Analyzes reconciliation and projection templates and implements macros in Excel or creates web-based solutions for process improvements and automation.
• Provides support for annual audit work papers.
• Maintains, and updates financial models and analysis.

Transactions:

• Oversees the purchasing unit within Life Sciences
• Reviews purchasing processes and implements process improvements to reduce workload and eliminate double entry for staff, faculty and students
• 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.
• Initiate wire transfers.
• Provides financial policy interpretation to determine the validity of customer requests & ensure compliance.
• Provides support for internal audit requests.

Grants &/or Awards:

• 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 Corrects charges to various accounts.

Administration:

• Manages the website updates, implements databases online for faculty and staff
• Processes & presents data & information through the application of database, graphic & spreadsheet software.
• Obtains data by downloading from enterprise system; develops and runs queries. Creates custom reports
• Completes special financial projects such as streamlining the reporting for expense reports and open encumbrances.
• Performs general office support activities.

Training:

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

Supervision:

• Provides work direction to others
• Supervises 2 employees
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• 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.)

• At least three years' experience in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
• Familiarity with financial reporting.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills;
• Attention to detail and quality focused;
• Ability to make progress on multiple competing priorities and work in a high-energy environment
• Ability to prioritize with firm deadlines and to work independently;
• Ability to establish and maintain good relationships with a variety of constituents; including faculty, staff, students, and co-workers;
• Excellent computer skills, including experience with Mac and Windows-based environments;
• Skilled at visual organization of information.
• Critical thinking and good judgement

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Database management
• Web development

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Advanced Excel Skills
• Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
• MySQL
• Front end web development languages (HTML, CSS & JavaScript)

Target hiring range for this position will be between $53,000 - $66,000 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.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! 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.

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