Financial Assistant

Department: QSIB - Querrey Simpson Inst B
Salary/Grade: NEX/11

Job Summary:

About the department

The mission of the Querrey Simpson Institute of Bioelectronics (QSIB) is to achieve scientific and technological breakthroughs in electronics, optoelectronics, and microfluidic systems, with the potential to improve human health and deepen our understanding of living systems. QSIB's activities span the Northwestern campus, primarily within the Office for Research, the McCormick School of Engineering, and the Feinberg School of Medicine.

About the position

Reporting directly to the Director of Operations and Outreach and collaborating with the Senior Research Administrator, the Financial Assistant (FA) position is a vital part of QSIB's administrative team. In this essential role, the FA 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. Additionally, the FA applies industry and professional standards, university policy and procedures, federal and state laws, and other regulations; provides crucial administrative and clerical support.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities:

Budget:

• Maintains & tracks individual budget accounts.
• Completes reconciliation procedures.
• Creates summary reports.

Analysis, Statements & Reporting:

• Creates reports & queries; reviews for incomplete records, data entry errors, &/or accounting mistakes.
• May analyze open encumbrances that are no longer valid & recommend appropriate modifications to ensure smooth processing of financial transactions.

Transactions:

• Completes & maintains transactions in enterprise systems.
• Provides review and oversight of all types of financial transactions some of which may be complex in regard to size or duration of account.
• Reviews; ensures approval based on alternatives regarding practice & policy.
• 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.

Grants &/or Awards:

• Corrects charges to various accounts.

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.
• Coordinates office, lab &/or building repairs & maintenance.
• Maintains inventory.

Training:

• Assists with training of new staff members
• Creates & provides financial training on practice, procedure, policy &/or laws & regulations to customers.

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.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Experience working with a high volume lab group
• Experience with Northwestern financial systems

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Attention to Detail: Precision in handling financial data and documents.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Communication Skills: Clear verbal and written communication with team members and external units.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze financial data and identify discrepancies.
• Time Management: Effectively managing deadlines and workload.
• Technical Skills: Knowledge of SmartSheet, MS Power Automate, Power BI, Power, and Power Apps

Target hiring range for this position will be between $21.00-$25.50 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 strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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