Senior Financial Administrator (SPARC - Hybrid Schedule)

Department: MED-Office for Research (SPARC)
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

The Senior Financial Administrator provides financial expertise and problem solving in support of the Sponsored Project and Research Catalyst's (SPARC) research programs and mission as a shared service model within NUFSM. Provides administrative direction and intermediate problem solving in support of unit's research programs and mission. Dynamic portfolio may provide sole support to small to mid-sized units, or support a portion of activities in larger units. Ensures that all activities are completed in compliance with associated local, state, federal & institutional rules & regulations.

Job Summary:

• Manages a university accounting-related area or program.
• Manages financial operations &/or analysis in support of area/unit's mission & in coordination with central offices such as HR, Budget, Financial Aid, Facilities, Purchasing, IT, Provost, etc.
• 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.
• Leads and performs all aspects of post-award financial management for sponsored projects.

Please note:

Supervisor provides objectives & deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objective & deadlines & overall compliance with policy & procedures. EE completes some activities without direction, informing supervisor only of potentially controversial matters, &/or far-reaching implications.

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.
• 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.
• Reviews & reconciles actual expenses to budget per NU Audit guidelines.
• Approves funds reallocation within budget as necessary & appropriate.

Analysis, Statements & Reporting:

• Measures individual net performance of all areas/units as well as consolidated area/unit income statement & balance sheet with the use of pre-defined analytical financial tools.
• Recommends changes to tools to improve analysis, forecasting, modeling & reporting & ultimately quality of financial information & analyses provided to management for planning, evaluating & controlling operations.
• Establishes proper accounting & audit trails for revenue & expenses related to programs & initiatives.
• Oversees monthly reconciliation & reports on current financial performance, impact on year-end forecast & opportunities & risks.
• Prepares area or program financial statements and regulatory reports.
• Acts as the key contact for external auditors; prepares financial statement and audit workpapers.
• Prepares sections of the university's annual financial report.
• Performs complex financial account reconciliations, statement analysis, and transaction research.
• Builds, maintains, and updates financial models and associated financial analysis.

Transactions:

• Oversees accurate, efficient and compliant workflow of all transactional processes across areas/units.
• May serve as primary Level III school approver for NU Financial transactions.
• Provides optimal customer service and financial guidance to areas/units.
• Oversees processing of all daily financial transactional activity.
• Reviews exceptions forms and reimbursements that require special attention.
• Requests new chart strings.
• Prepares faculty salary recovery & summer salary.
• Creates & monitors recharge centers.
• Monitors open encumbrances & deficit chart strings; &/or stop an expense that is inappropriate or against deficit chart string.
• Reviews status of related university unit accounts and processes; troubleshoots issues as needed.
• Leads and provides support for internal &/or granting agency audit requests.

Grants &/or Awards:

• Typically involved in the budget management of numerous research grants.
• Oversees &/or completes pre- & post-award research administration.
• Utilizes established systems (effort reporting, direct cost charging/SDA, & financial reporting) to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Interacts with Principal Investigators (PIs) to build relationships, transfer knowledge & advise on research policies & procedures.
• Oversees payroll for research appointments.
• Ensures faculty completion of effort certification.
• Provides appropriate training for staff & PIs.
• Monitors commitments and expenditures to ensure compliance with granting agency guidelines.
• Verifies accurate set up of sponsored project accounts.

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.
• Negotiates with vendors for purchases & leases
• Acts act as project manager for design and implementation of regulatory and system changes.
• Manages operation of a computer system or system processes that support the area or program.
• Ensures that service level goals are met.

Training:

• Provides training and support to related university units or program participants
• Develops and maintains website content and training materials

Supervision:

• Supervises employees
• Trains employees
• Hires employees
• Evaluates employees' performance
• Provides work direction to other employees

Miscellaneous

Performs 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: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting.
• Familiarity with FASB requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CFE-Certified Fraud Examiner
• CIA-Certified Internal Auditor
• CISA-Certified Information Systems Auditor
• CPA-Certified Public Accountant

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 us at 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 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 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 .

Target hiring range for this position will be between $70,017 to $87,292 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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