Senior Financial Administrator

Department: MED-Office of Finance & Admin
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary:

Reviews a portfolio of multiple schools/depts' financial operations comprised of work that involves some extremely difficult problems &/or decisions. Manages daily, monthly, quarterly and annual financial processes for the area or program. Applies industry and professional standards, interprets university policy and procedure, federal and state laws, granting agency guidelines, and other regulations (as applicable); recommends accounting policy for the university. Represents &/or guides business area on internal & external financial affairs by recommending alternatives & suggestions.

Specific Responsibilities:

Budget:

• Serves a primary role in the development & implementation of annual budget including fiscal resource allocation of appropriated, discretionary, endowment & gift revenues & expenses.
• Manages budget & provides timely, accurate financial status for the current fiscal & future plan.
• Works with 20 - 25 units (departments, centers, institutes) on annual budget processing
• Guides units of responsibility through university budgeting and forecasting processes, reviews budget and forecasting submissions.
• Acts a Budget Office expert on units and functions within portfolio of responsibilities.
• Coordinates & completes all associated fiscal year close/open processes.
• Oversight on school level for assigned units
• Reviews & reconciles actual expenses to budget per NU Audit guidelines.
• Approves funds reallocation within budget as necessary & appropriate.

Analysis, Statements and Reporting:

• Recommends changes to tools to improve analysis, forecasting, modeling & reporting & ultimately quality of financial information & analyses provided to management for planning, evaluating & controlling operations.
• Oversees monthly reconciliation & reports on current financial performance, impact on year-end forecast & opportunities & risks.
• Prepares area or program financial statements and regulatory reports.
• Prepares sections of the university's annual financial report.
• Provides information for university reporting to Associate Director and Directors as requested
• Performs complex financial account reconciliations, statement analysis, and transaction research.
• Builds, maintains, and updates financial models and associated financial analysis.

Transactions:

• May serve as primary Level III school approver for NU Financial transactions.
• Provides optimal customer service and financial guidance to areas/units.
• Monitors open encumbrances & deficit chart strings; &/or stop an expense that is inappropriate or against deficit chart string.
• Processes transfers and/or appropriation charges and may balance and/or close accounts.
• Reviews status of related school unit accounts and processes; troubleshoots issues as needed.

Grants and/or Awards:

• Typically involved in the budget management of numerous research grants.
• Collaborates with assigned units on annual budget process and quarterly forecasting.

Administration:

• Identifies current & future resource planning & allocation issues & develops, leads, & supervises complex studies & analyses that will assist senior staff in reaching resource planning and allocation decisions.
• Processes & presents associated data & information through the application of sophisticated database, graphic & spreadsheet tools.
• Ensures that customer service goals are met.

Training and Supervision:

• Provides training and support to related university units or program participants
• Develops and maintains website content and training materials.
• Trains employees
• Leads and provides training for equivalent and other positions within units supported and school-wide, as needed.
• Partners with NU Project Cafe trainers for FSM specific training
• 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 work experience in financial administration OR equivalent combination of education and experience where similar knowledge, skills and abilities may be acquired.
• 5 years financial, budgeting and/or preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheets, database and word processing software.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting.
• ATT DET - attention to detail
• COW - Communication - oral and written
• MUT - Multitasking

Target hiring range for this position will be between $84,000 to $90,000 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.

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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 strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.