Accounting Specialist

Financial & Accounting Support

Provides a variety of financial & accounting support using initiative & an intermediate knowledge of applicable skills, methods & practices & chooses appropriate alternatives from among pre-defined policies & procedures to complete mainly routine work that involves standard problems & decisions. Applies industry and professional standards, university policy and procedure, federal and state laws and other regulations. Provides administrative &/or clerical support.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Budget: Maintains, compiles & reviews data within spreadsheets &/or databases. Completes standard reconciliation procedures. Completes functions/tasks associated with the annual budget open/close processes.
• Analysis, Statements & Reporting: Performs data entry in spreadsheets &/or databases. Transactions: Completes & maintains transactions in enterprise systems. Reviews, ensures approval, prepares, processes, reconciles & provides receipts (as appropriate) for transactions. Troubleshoots problems. Performs vendor/account research as needed. Obtains additional information by phone, US- or e- mail from customers/vendors; corrects or escalates. Maintains Chart of Account lists. Enters information into database.
• Administration: Provides excellent customer service, over the phone and in person answering standard questions regarding status of requests, policies and procedures for processing transactions, &/or instructions for completing paperwork. Instructs & advises regarding options and appropriate courses of action & follows-up inquiries to ensure customer satisfaction. Completes other administrative &/or clerical activities such as filing, faxing, sorting, copying, organizing meetings; reserving AV equipment, etc.
• Training: Assists with training of new staff members
• Miscellaneous: Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or the equivalent.
• 2 years accounting &/or bookkeeping or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies:

• 1 Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.

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.

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.

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.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status.