Financial Assistant

Job Summary:

The NITMB is a new University Research Institute (URIC) that is led by Northwestern University and has as its working partner, the University of Chicago. The mission of the NITMB is to create a ground-breaking hub of interdisciplinary research, with mathematical research that advances our knowledge of biology, and biology research that catalyzes new mathematics. NITMB will realize this vision via an innovative research program involving 80 faculty from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. The research done by NITMB will support advances in areas as diverse as the environment, medicine, and technology development. Geographically co-located NITMB members will share space in downtown Chicago that is readily accessible to collaborators across the US and the world. NITMB will engage in a broad array of education, workforce development, and broadening participation activities that will include diverse communities. Its education initiatives will reach students from the K-12 level. NITMB will also develop training for undergraduates, graduates, and post-baccalaureate students and teachers with community partners in a highly diverse city. A wide variety of scientific long programs, workshops, and conferences will enhance international collaboration between mathematics and biology and ensure that the scientific outcomes of the NITMB’s research impact wide-ranging sectors of basic and applied research.

This is a term position ending on 6/30/2027. Opportunity for renewal will be based on performance and available funding.

• Provides day-to-day financial & accounting support using an advanced knowledge of applicable skills, methods & practices & some innovation, analysis, & reasoning to choose appropriate alternatives from among pre-defined policies & procedures to complete work that includes successive steps & involves some non-routine problems &/or 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 & tracks individual budget accounts.
• Updates calendar, spreadsheets, templates & forms; monitors submissions.
• Creates summary reports.

Analysis, Statements & Reporting:

• Prepares account, budget, cost, expenditure &/or funds analysis.
• Provides reports to managers/PIs in tracking payment status & notification when balances & activities do not comply with policy, procedures or are inadequately prepared.
• Creates reports & queries; reviews for incomplete records, data entry errors, &/or accounting mistakes.

Transactions:

• Completes & maintains transactions in enterprise systems.
• Troubleshoots problems.
• Performs vendor/account research as needed.
• Obtains additional information from or provides instruction & guidance for customers/vendors; corrects or escalates.
• Provides financial policy interpretation to determine the validity of customer requests & ensure compliance.
• 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 organizing meetings; reserving AV equipment.
• Coordinates office, lab &/or building repairs & maintenance.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

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

• High school diploma or the equivalent.
• 3 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.
• Familiarity with financial reporting.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $21.00 to $25.00 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 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 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 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 . 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 .