Financial Administrator

University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

Court Theatre at the University of Chicago is seeking a Financial Administrator to support financial management, transactions, and reporting for the department. This part-time role (~25 hours/week) reports to the Managing Director and focuses on budgets, revenue reconciliation, and grants reporting.

The position requires a college degree in a related field and 2–5 years of relevant experience, with emphasis on nonprofit financials and close processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, arts administration, or related field.
• 2–5 years of experience in financial administration, budgeting, accounting, or related discipline.
• Experience with revenue reconciliation, budgeting, and financial reporting; nonprofit or arts/entertainment experience preferred.
• Familiarity with sales tax requirements and GAAP for revenue recognition.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the department’s annual operating budget preparation, monitoring and maintenance.
• Track, analyze, and reconcile revenues and expenses; prepare explanations and recommendations.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly/annual financial reports for leadership.
• Manage artist dues: tracking, payments, and records; ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Reconcile ticketing revenue and distinguish revenue streams for reporting.

Skills

Enterprise financial systems

Advanced spreadsheets & reporting

Microsoft Office proficiency

Analytical & communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, arts administration, or related field

Tools

Oracle or similar ERP

Job description

About The Department

Department

AI Court Admin and Operations

Winner of the 2022 Regional Theatre Tony Award, Court Theatre reimagines classic theatre to illuminate our current times. In residence at the University of Chicago and on Chicago’s historic South Side, we engage our audiences with intimate and provocative experiences that inspire deeper exploration of the enduring questions that confront humanity and connect us as people.

Job Summary

The Financial Administrator, working under the supervision of Court Theatre's Managing Director, facilitates financial management, transactions and reporting, enhancing the financial functions critical to the success of the theatre. This is a part-time role, to work an estimated 25 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Managing Director, coordinates the preparation, monitoring, and maintenance of the department’s annual operating budget.
• Tracks, analyzes, and reconciles revenues and expenses across assigned accounts; investigates variances and prepares explanations and recommendations to the Managing Director.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports that summarize financial performance and provide decision-support analyses for leadership.
• Manages the full cycle of artist dues, tracking obligations, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure accurate and compliant payments, and maintaining complete records of dues calculations and payment history.
• Reconciles ticketing/box office revenue to ensure accuracy and timeliness of revenue recognized.
• Develops and maintains procedures to distinguish ticket revenue, contributed income, and other income streams to support accurate financial and fundraising reporting.
• Prepares and processes sales tax filings and payments related to ticket sales and other taxable activities in accordance with applicable laws and deadlines.
• Coordinates fiscal year-end close activities for assigned accounts, ensuring all revenues, transfers, accruals, and adjustments are recorded accurately and on time.
• Supports monthly/quarterly close processes by preparing journal entries, reconciliations, and variance analyses.
• Assists with financial reporting for grants.
• 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.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, arts administration, or a related field.

Experience

• 2+ years of relevant experience in financial administration, budgeting, accounting, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience with revenue reconciliation, budgeting, and financial reporting; nonprofit or arts/entertainment experience strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with sales tax requirements and basic accounting principles (GAAP) for revenue recognition.

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

• Familiarity with enterprise financial systems, such as Oracle or similar platforms, and advanced proficiency in spreadsheets and financial reporting tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Competencies

• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills to interpret financial data and communicate implications to non-financial stakeholders.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and organization, to manage multiple deadlines, especially around fiscal close and reporting cycles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a collaborative working style.

Working Conditions

• This is a part-time position, approximately 25 hours per week.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

25

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$45,000.00 - $50,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

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.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.