Financial Analyst I - U of C NORC

JOB DESCRIPTION:

NORC at the University of Chicago, an objective and non-partisan research organization with more than 75 years of leadership in data collection, program evaluation, data analysis, and information dissemination, seeks Financial Analysts to join the Financial Management and Analysis team. Financial Analysts provide on-going support for multiple projects, including project tracking, budget monitoring, forecasting and modeling, and pricing for proposals. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in project accounting, project management, experience in working with government contracts and grants, and a must be able to work both independently and in concert with senior financial analysts and project teams. NORC currently has openings in our Chicago office and an opening for someone that will be based in the Hyde Park office who will have the opportunity to work from NORC's Chicago Loop office at varying days throughout the week, when office-based work resumes.

NORC offers flexible work arrangements.  Employees may choose to work remote, hybrid, or in the office.

DEPARTMENT: Financial Management and Analysis

NORC’s Financial Management and Analysis department plays a pivotal role across the entire NORC ecosystem. Members of the team ensure that NORC’s financial management functions are fully aligned and integrated so we can support NORC’s work to provide trustworthy data to decision-makers around the world. The FM&A department directly supports research departments and projects, and works closely with the other administrative departments, particularly the Accounting and Finance and Contracts and Grants, to navigate the complex government regulatory environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review, approve, and track project expenses including processing of vendor invoices and tracking of spending against purchase orders


• Manage project billing, monitor project receivables, and address client budget and billing inquires, as needed


• Contribute to periodic client financial reports as required by project


• Assist Senior Financial Analysts with cost estimation for project budget modifications or cost over/under run scenarios


• Review and provide quality assurance for client and vendor invoices, expense reports, cost reports, purchase requisitions, and other project-related expenses to ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations


• Closeout project accounts at project completion


• Supporting Senior Financial Analysts in revenue and cost-estimating efforts for proposals


• Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in finance, accounting, economics, or related area is required


• Minimum of 6 months of experience in project based account management highly desired.


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.


• Skilled in budget development, forecasting, and analysis.


• Ability to juggle multiple tasks under time pressure while maintaining accuracy and close attention to detail.


• Ability to work with minimal supervision


• Familiarity with federal government accounting regulations and accounting and contractual structures (i.e., FAR, OMB, FTR) is preferred


• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite; intermediate to advanced knowledge of Excel preferred


• Skills in the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. Costpoint and FocusPoint experience is a plus

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The pay range for this position is $51,000 - $78,000

This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to:  

• Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment 

  
  


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  Dental and vision insurance  

  
  


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  A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program  

  
  


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  Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance 

  
  


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  Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). 

  
  

 NORC’s Approach to Equity and Transparency  

Pay and benefits transparency helps to reduce wage gaps. As part of our commitment to pay equity and salary transparency, NORC includes a salary range for each job opening along with information about eligible benefit offerings. At NORC, we take a comprehensive approach to setting salary ranges and reviewing raises and promotions, which is overseen by a formal Salary Review Committee (SRC). 

WHAT WE DO:

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

WHO WE ARE:

For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.

EEO STATEMENT: 

NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally protected characteristics.