Financial Analyst

The University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking a Financial Analyst to support the Budget Office with robust financial planning and analysis across campus. You will collaborate with financial managers, academic leaders, and university staff to develop budgets and provide monthly financial management support, dashboards, and common metrics for performance.

Responsibilities include building complex models in Excel and other tools, performing variance analysis, presenting findings to leadership, and

Qualifications

• College or university degree in a related field.
• 2–5 years of related work experience in financial planning or budgeting.
• Certifications: none required.

Responsibilities

• Supports Senior Financial Analysis as Budget Office liaison to financial administrators in several units.
• Assists in developing operating budget targets for major units and reviews budgets for accuracy and compliance.
• Works with units to analyze actual versus budget variance and recommends changes to avoid deficits.
• Performs complex financial planning concepts and forecasting techniques.
• Prepares presentations conveying financial matters to leadership and the University community.

Skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Financial modelling

Data analysis

Database skills

Statistical analysis

Communication

Project management

Forecasting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Database software

Statistical analysis tools

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 Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with database software applications and statistical analysis tools.

Preferred Competencies: Analytical and Quantitative Skills: Ability to analyze financial data, create reports, develop financial models, and conduct basic statistical analysis to support business decisions.

Communication Skills: Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to explain financial concepts clearly and collaborate with various teams.

Project Management and Organization: Capable of managing tasks, meeting deadlines, coordinating projects, and supporting system updates with organizational efficiency and autonomy.

Financial Acumen: Knowledge of budgeting, financial management, forecasting, and compliance standards to evaluate performance and variance analysis.

Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Ability to assess variances, recommend solutions, and optimize forecasting and cost strategies based on analysis.

Collaboration and Teamwork: Skilled in building relationships, working as part of a team, and contributing to process improvements.

Results Orientation and Detail Focus: Committed to accuracy, efficiency, attention to detail, and achieving objectives independently and autonomously.

Working Conditions

This role may be hybrid with the expectation of 2-3 days per week on campus.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• References (3) (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family

Financial Management Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 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.

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.

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The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/