Department: MCC Computer Science
Salary/Grade: NEX/11
Job Summary:
• The Computer Science (CS) Department at Northwestern University is recognized for technical excellence, whole-brain thinking, and highly interdisciplinary research. Our department’s goal is to equip students with the applied and critical thinking skills to lead the future in computer science while exploring how computer science can be leveraged for societal benefit.
• With a faculty of 40+, and a PhD program of 155, the Financial Assistant plays an integral part in processing student funding, reconciling payroll discrepancies and providing financial administrative support to the department.
• The role requires critical thinking to make decisions, both routine and non-routine, to choose appropriate alternatives in alignment with university policies and procedures.
• The ideal candidate will have strong oral and written communication skills. They will display strong interpersonal skills, be self-directed and detail oriented.
• Additional/special pay
• Analysis
• Financial Statements
• Grants &/or awards
• Journal &/or ledger
• Payroll
• Reconciliation
• Salary administration
• Student accounts
• Student funding
Please Note: Supervisor provides objectives & deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objective & deadlines & overall compliance with policy & procedures. EE completes some activities without direction, informing supervisor only of potentially controversial matters, &/or far-reaching implications.
Specific Responsibilities :
Budget:
• Assists with annual budget process including tasks associated with the open/close processes.
• Updates calendar, spreadsheets, templates & forms; monitors submissions.
• Assists with reconciliation procedures.
• 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.
• May analyze open encumbrances that are no longer valid & recommend appropriate modifications to ensure smooth processing of financial transactions.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.
• Provides financial policy interpretation to determine the validity of customer requests & ensure compliance.
• Contacts outside agencies, McCormick Administration or HR Payroll office to obtain clarification of rules &/or regulations.
• Enters information into database.
• Acts as Level 1 NU Financials Approver
Grants &/or Awards:
• Completes post award accounting.
• Approves expenditures, Requests for Accounting Corrections, the Research Assistant and Scholarship Appointments, &/or payroll adjustments, in accordance with granting agency guidelines & University policies & procedures.
• Reconciles subcontract payments.
• Verifies payroll funding entries.
• 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.
• Provides administrative support in regard to HR matters such as hiring, onboarding as it relates to student payroll.
Miscellaneous
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
• 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:
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Knowledgeable and experienced with NU enterprise systems.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
• Experienced with Excel
Target hiring range for this position will be between $19.31 – $27.16 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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