Financial Analyst

uchicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago Budget Office is seeking a Financial Analyst to provide analytic and project management support for annual operating budgets and long-range planning. You will collaborate with financial managers across campus to deliver accurate budgeting, forecasting, and analysis.

The role emphasizes building complex financial models in Excel and Oracle, delivering clear presentations, and supporting university-wide analytics and reporting initiatives.

Qualifications

• College/university degree in a related field.
• 2–5 years of work experience in a related discipline.
• Certifications: not required.

Responsibilities

• Supports analytic budgeting and financial planning for University units.
• Develops operating budget targets and reviews unit budgets for accuracy and compliance.
• Analyzes actual vs. budget variances and suggests cost-containment options.
• Performs complex financial forecasting and scenario analyses.
• Creates financial models and presents results to leadership.
• Develops metrics and reporting tools for university-wide financial performance.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Quantitative modelling

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Excel

Oracle

Job description

Department

Provost Financial Planning and Budget

About the Department

Through the Budget Office, the Office of the Provost manages, administers, and implements the University's annual operating and long-term planning budgets. The Budget Office also provides strategic and operational leadership in financial planning and analysis and works collaboratively with units across campus on their budgets. In addition to these core duties, the unit provides financial analysis on a wide range of subject matters including total student charges, research performance, and enrollment trends.

Job Summary

The Financial Analyst will provide analytic and project management support for the University of Chicago Budget Office, which reports directly to the Provost. The Financial Analyst will work collaboratively with financial managers and experts throughout the University, including academic and administrative unit financial leaders, Financial Services staff, and the University Financial Planning and Analysis group. The Financial Analyst will support the Budget Office Team as financial liaison to the Budget Office for assigned units, helping to provide those units with budget development and financial management support with annual and monthly University budget processes. The Financial Analyst will also support the development and integration of University-wide financial data analytics and reporting, with a focus on the development of a common set of metrics and methodologies for evaluating both University and unit-specific financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Supports Senior Financial Analysis as Budget Office liaison to financial administrators in several University units as assigned.
• Assists in the development of operating budget targets for major units and reviews submitted budgets for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with University budget procedures.
• Works closely with units to understand actual to budget variance and develop recommendations for programmatic changes or cost containment strategies to avoid deficits.
• Assists in the development, interpretation and implementation of highly complex financial/accounting concepts and advanced techniques for financial planning and forecasting.
• Performs business case analyses and provides quantitative modeling support for various financial management projects in the Budget Office and the Office of the Provost.
• Prepares presentations to convey financial and administrative matters to leadership and members of the University community.
• Creates financial models that employ scenario analysis for future University planning and budgeting decisions.
• Develops and implements metrics and methodologies toolkits for evaluating financial performance for both the University and specific administrative and academic units.
• Coordinates with all levels of management and individuals across the University to gather, analyze, summarize, and prepare recommendations regarding financial plans, operating forecasts and other complex financial matters, with increasing autonomy.
• Builds and maintains complex financial models using Excel, Oracle, and other analysis and reporting tools and systems as necessary.
• Participates in use case testing for changes to university budgeting and financial management systems and works closely with information technology staff to support design and implementation efforts for future systems.
• Supports the drafting of budgets, providing analytical support for routine budget projects and analyzing budget estimates and proposals. Ensures budget proposals are accurate, complete, and in compliance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives.
• Researches past budgets and economic and financial developments that affect spending, and prepares budget summaries for management.
• Drafts analyses for proposed plans and devises possible alternatives if the projected results are unsatisfactory. Periodically monitors the budget by reviewing reports and accounting records to determine if allocated funds have been spent as specified.
• Drafts variance summaries highlighting difference between the approved budget and actual performance, and make recommendations regarding excess and deficient funds. Informs managers and others within the organization of the status and availability of funds in different accounts.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.
• Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Experience: 2+ years experience in accounting, finance, consulting, or a related field.
• Technical Skills or Knowledge: Demonstrated analytical and quantitative modelling abilities.
• Excellent computing skills with strong proficiency in