Financial Analyst - School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

Summary: The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a leading research institution seeking a Financial Analyst for the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology. This role involves performing financial and administrative duties to support business operations, ensuring financial accuracy, compliance, and effective communication with stakeholders. Responsibilities: - Oversee and assist with the school’s internal accounting and perform reconciliation of monthly statements, assuring transactions are accurate, complete and in compliance with University policies and procedures - Conduct periodic reviews of open encumbrances across all fund types; collaborate with the school purchasing staff to close outdated purchase orders and maintain accuracy in projected balances - Investigate, correct, and document charges posted to incorrect CFOPs (“rogues”) on all fund types to ensure accurate and timely reporting - Review and approve expenditures in the Emburse system, evaluating transactions for complete business justification, proper CFOP usage, and adherence to policy; effectively communicate required revisions to end users - Serve as a point of contact for resolving payables issues or errors - Monitor the HR application for appointments charged to non-grant funds, and review and approve based on appropriateness and availability of funds - Assist the Associate Director for Business and Administration with service rate calculations - Gather historical expense and user data and other information requested to complete the rate calculation and review - Gain and maintain basic proposal-preparation skills to provide backup support to the MCB grants team during peak submission periods - Collect, analyze, and compile financial data to prepare ad hoc reports for the Associate Director and School leadership - Assist with reconciliation, auditing, and maintenance of payroll transactions - Develop, run, and maintain a repository of recurring financial and operational reports for use by the School Business Office and departmental partners - Assist in maintaining updated guidance on fund usage, internal procedures, and business-office resources for both the School and MCB departments - Stay current on university business, finance, and administrative policies; effectively communicate relevant updates to faculty, staff, and departmental stakeholders - Assist with donor intent reviews and NACUBO function code assessments for gift funds - Coordinate and support special projects at the direction of the Associate Director, including process improvements, data assessments, and operational initiatives - Perform additional duties as assigned to support the mission and operational effectiveness of the MCB Business Office Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a field related to the position - Two (2) years of professional business, financial, and/or managerial work experience - (NOTE: A Master's Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of work experience.) Preferred Qualifications: - Demonstrated financial analysis and or accounting experience - Experience entering and approving transactions in Emburse/Chrome River - Experience with BANNER, iBuy, and university financial reporting systems (EDDIE, My-UI-Financials, etc.) - Familiarity with university fund types (state, ICR, self supporting, grant, and gift) - Experience processing university accounting transactions, including journal vouchers and labor redistributions - OBFS Journal Voucher Processing Certification - Experience calculating service activity rates, or related training certification - Experience in grants management or sponsored programs administration - Illinois Certified Research Administrator (Illinois CRA) credential or progress toward certification - Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles used for determining allowability, reasonableness, and allocation of costs - Organizational and multi-tasking skills with an ability to meet deadlines with accuracy, including prioritization of tasks where some are deadline-driven and others are on-going/continuous - Knowledge of OBFS policies and procedures, as well as University administrative operations, policies and procedures - Independent decision-making ability and resourcefulness - Customer service and communication skills - Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Outlook - Proficiency in commonly-employed software and databases - Knowledge acquired in a higher education environment, preferably the University of Illinois - Ability to foster an inclusive, collaborative environment and be dedicated to supporting the success and growth of those they work with - Ability to maintain confidentiality Required Skills: Financial analysis, Accounting, Emburse/Chrome River, BANNER, iBuy, University financial reporting systems, University fund types, Journal voucher processing, Service activity rate calculation, Grants management, Sponsored programs administration, Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Customer service, Multi-tasking, Independent decision-making, Resourcefulness Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, A Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, Tuition waivers for employees and dependents