Assistant Director, Accounting & Financial Reporting

Assistant Director, Accounting & Financial Reporting

Hiring Department : Budget & Financial Analysis

Location : Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID : 1027671

Posting Close Date : 10/18/2024

Salary Range: $90,000 - $105,000

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university.

Description:

Position Summary
This position reports to the Director, Accounting and Financial Reporting in the UIC Office of Budget and Financial Analysis (BFA) and plays an integral role in support of budget development and financial policymaking through the preparation and analysis of accurate financial reports.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Assist with coordination of operating budget development as well as preparation for posting in the enterprise-wide financial system and incorporation in the University of Illinois Budget Summary for Operations document presented annually to the Board of Trustees for approval. Assist with the development and implementation of the University's annual operating budget through completion of accurate projections.
2. Work with assigned colleges and administrative units to prepare and evaluate budget requests. Prepare associated correspondence that may include analyses of issues impacting each assigned area. Communicate and train staff throughout UIC on various financial and budgetary policies and procedures.
3. Perform skilled financial and budgetary analysis to monitor and evaluate the university's financial condition from both a macro and micro level, and in support of various UIC initiatives including those related to the Healthcare enterprise. Identify financial issues through the regular analysis of revenue and expenditure trends and communicate those to management as concerns are detected.
4. Prepare annual cost studies to justify the administrative allowance assessment to the UI Hospital and auxiliary self-supporting funds as a mechanism for recouping overhead costs incurred by campus units in support of UI Hospital and auxiliary operations.
5. Act as the Budget Office point of contact for a portfolio of colleges and/or administrative units. Oversee the preparation of unit financial schedules used during annual budget meetings. Evaluate the viability of course fees and pro forma budgets for new initiatives. Draft memoranda for the commitment of campus funds and manage financial commitments made to colleges and administrative units.
6. Organize and monitor the campus deficit reduction plan process including follow-up with units and providing metrics on the number of deficits, dollar value and progress toward resolution.
7. Develop expertise in administrative, data warehouses and reporting systems that serve as key data access points, utilizing current data extraction methodologies. Extrapolate, analyze, and manipulate BANNER financial data to generate reports and disseminate them across campus departments. Work cross-functionally with other Budget Office staff, Office of Institutional Research, and throughout the University to establish and maintain accurate reporting and data collection processes.
8. Provide team leadership in areas for which it is expected to have subject matter expertise. Assist management in setting work priorities and goals, training of assigned staff and review of work assignments.
9. Perform year-end activities that may include monitoring fund balances and working closely with UIC Budget and Financial Analysis management and University Accounting and Financial Reporting to ensure compliance with Legislative Audit Commission Guidelines.
10. Assist with the development and maintenance of financial dashboards for UIC leadership and financial managers across campus units that provide performance metrics on key financial indicators to facilitate decision-making.
11. Perform other related duties as appropriate for an Assistant Director.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, financial data analysis or related field required.
Five years increasingly responsible experience in financial analysis, budget, forecasting, modeling, trend analysis, or accounting, preferably in a public university.
Strong analytical skills with extensive experience using Microsoft Office products (especially Excel and Access) for financial analysis and reporting. Experience with quality control and attention to detail.
Demonstrated leadership skills. Outstanding verbal and written communications skills and exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills.
Experience working with executive leadership that includes preparing summaries of complex information or drafting communications or policy on behalf of management.

Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field with quantitative and analytical focus preferred.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or other accounting or finance professional certification preferred.
Seven years financial analysis, reporting, budgeting, business, financial, or accounting experience, preferably in a large and complex university or not-for-profit setting.
Knowledge of fund accounting, GASB and GAAP
Supervisory experience
Knowledge of the University of Illinois at Chicago, SCT Banner finance module, SAP Business Objects, EDDIE, and other related campus-based business/finance systems.
Experience with Tableau or other business analytics platforms.
Knowledge of federal and State regulations governing University business and financial activities.

Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University's Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate's successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit:

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.

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