Financial Administrator

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation

Tuition benefits

Job summary

Northwestern University is seeking a Financial Administrator for Kellogg Financial Administration. The role is to manage revenue recognition for Kellogg Executive Education, involving over 1,500 receivables and 2,500 participant registrations yearly.

You'll ensure accurate financial processes and have opportunities for career growth. The position requires onsite presence twice a week and offers a hiring range between $60,000 to $67,000 annually, depending on qualifications.

Qualifications

• 5 years experience in financial management, budgeting, or related field.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in spreadsheets and databases.
• Strong analytical skills and detail-oriented approach.

Responsibilities

• Manage revenue recognition processes for Kellogg Executive Education.
• Prepare analysis and reports regarding financial operations.
• Provide training and support to university units.
• Troubleshoot financial problems and ensure compliance.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Data management

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, or finance

Tools

PeopleSoft

NUFinancials

CVENT

Job description

Department

Kellogg Financial Admin

Salary/Grade

EXS/6

Job Summary

Kellogg Financial Administration is seeking a Financial Administrator to serve as the primary steward of revenue recognition for Kellogg Executive Education. In this highly visible role, you'll manage more than 1,500 receivables and 2,500 participant registrations each year, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial processes. You'll work across enterprise systems— including NUFinancials, CVENT, and multiple payment channels—while sharpening your skills in reconciliations, revenue analysis, and financial controls.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex financial challenges and taking end to end ownership of high volume transactions. Your accuracy, judgment, and organization will directly influence Kellogg's financial reporting, client experience, and operational excellence—and offer meaningful impact and strong career growth. The role requires a minimum of two in office days per week, with additional time onsite during onboarding.

Supports a university accounting‑related area or program. Manages financial operations & analysis in support of area/unit's mission & in coordination with central offices such as Treasury Operations, etc. Reviews a portfolio of multiple schools/depts' financial operations comprised of work that involves some complex problems & decisions.

Specific Responsibilities

Budget

• Prepares analysis & reports.
• Provides account research.
• Assists with budget projects.
• Reviews & reconciles actual expenses to budget per NU Audit guidelines.

Analysis, Statements & Reporting

• Creates daily, monthly, annual, &/or project end analysis & reports regarding area/unit, accounts, funds &/or revenue allocation, customer service activity, etc.
• Records journal entries and creates reports.
• Performs financial account reconciliations, statement analysis, and transaction research.

Transactions

• Provides review and oversight of Tuition, Accounts Receivable e-Commerce financial transactions some of which may be complex regarding 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 & balance accounts.
• Troubleshoots problems; performs vendor/account research as needed; obtains additional information from or provides instruction & guidance for customers/vendors; corrects or escalates.
• Prepares & delivers bank deposits.
• Provides financial policy interpretation to determine the validity of customer requests & ensure compliance.
• Reviews status of related university accounts, transactions and processes; troubleshoots issues as needed.

Administration

• Processes & presents data & information through the application of database, graphic & spreadsheet software.
• Obtains data by downloading from enterprise systems; develops and runs queries.
• Identifies sources for data & information to be used & completes special financial projects such as assigned.
• Manages operation of or interaction with a computer system or system processes that support the area or program.
• Ensures that area service level goals are met.

Training

• Provides training and support to related university units or program participants; maintains website and training materials.

Miscellaneous

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as accounting, business administration, finance, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 5 years financial, budgeting &/or preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies

• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
• Detail-oriented and focused on accuracy.
• Demonstrate willingness to learn, flexible, and adaptable.
• Demonstrated project management skills, with the ability to multi-task and complete multiple projects independently.
• Proven verbal and written communication skills, customer service orientation, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to establish and follow processes in a respectful manner, engage people, and listen to multiple viewpoints.
• Focused on collaboration with constituents and provision of superior customer service to solve problems.
• Comfortable interacting with colleagues at all levels of the organization, including senior leadership.
• Ability to present financial information to colleagues with non-financial backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer experience with PeopleSoft systems.
• Experience in higher education.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong understanding of financial reporting.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Experience implementing process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to create, interpret, and present management-level reports.
• Ability to assess projects and understand that not all answers are clearly defined.
• Demonstrated ability to influence rather than exert direct control over business decisions.

Target hiring range for this position will be $60,000 - $67,000 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 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 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 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 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.