Financial Specialist

Department: MCC Materials Science & Engg
Salary/Grade: NEX/10

Job Summary:

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 analysis & standard summary reports.
• Completes functions/tasks associated with the annual budget open/close processes.

Analysis, Statements & Reporting:

• Performs data entry in spreadsheets &/or databases.
• Completes standard, pre-defined analysis, reconciliation &/or summary reports.

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.
• Prepares & delivers bank deposits.
• Enters information into database.

Grants &/or Awards:

• Assists school/dept &/or research administrator regarding grant accounting issues.

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.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

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

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Understanding of Northwestern's purchasing and reimbursements policy

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of NU Financials
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel
• Grant management experience
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Well-organized, attention to detail

Target hiring range for this position will be between $18.42-$24.01 per hour. 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.

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 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.

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