About The Role

BSD AFA - Accounting

About the Department

The University of Chicago biomedical enterprise houses three entities: the Biological Sciences Division (BSD), the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM), and the Pritzker School of Medicine. Collectively called UCM, we are one of the nation's leading academic medical institutions and have been at the forefront of discovery, education, and clinical care since 1927. Located 20 minutes south of downtown Chicago, our Hyde Park main campus provides a single environment for learning, world-renowned basic science and clinical research, and outstanding clinical care.

The BSD is the largest academic unit within the University. The BSD is comprised of faculty from ten basic science departments, 13 clinical departments, and several Centers and Institutes. The approximately 1,300 faculty and 3,000 staff members working in the BSD collaborate across the organization to achieve our Mission, Vision, and Values (MVV):

MISSION: As part of the University of Chicago, we pursue globally impactful solutions to seemingly unsolvable challenges. Through our rigorous research, innovative education, and comprehensive care and healing, we collaborate on life-changing advancements that create meaningful results for our community and the world, including a greater, more equitable future for all.

VISION: Together, we elevate the human experience with knowledge and health care.

VALUES

Commit to Excellence: We contribute our exceptional talents to all we do and empower the same spirit of excellence in others.
Embrace Curiosity: We stay open to new ideas, champion diverse perspectives, and drive a culture of thoughtful risk-taking to deliver transformative innovation.
Embody Equity: We identify systemic issues and then foster change to drive a more equitable environment inclusive of diverse people, ideas, and fields of science.
Grow Together: We meaningfully collaborate with one another to create something bigger than we could ever achieve alone.
Make a Difference: We lead with heart and compassion in all our interactions. We create positive change in our areas of influence, whether expanding scientific inquiry, developing the next generation of leaders, or healing our community.
Take Ownership: We accomplish what we say we will and hold ourselves and one another accountable for our actions.

The MVV serves as our True North, charting our strategic plan for the next ten years and beyond. It is an exciting time to be a part of the University of Chicago and the BSD. Our team is helping to shape the future for our learners, staff, faculty, patients, and community.

Job Summary

Serves as a resource for operational units on financial, budget, clinical strategy, physician productivity and Faculty Compensation Plan issues. Collaborates with Executive Administrator, Senior Director, Finance Service Delivery and departmental leadership team to develop and implement strategic initiatives for the Department. Prepares and advises others on operating budget for department. Provides project management and analytical support for special projects. Consolidates Section budgets into departmental operating and capital budget submissions and surfaces/addresses issues for Executive Leadership. Assists department leaders in analyzing proposals and developing proforma business plans. Regularly monitors operating budget reports and accounting records to determine if professional fee revenue and expenses materialize according to plan. Responsible for monitoring and approving expense reimbursements. Reports on variances between the approved budget and actual performance and recommends remediation measures. Ensures accuracy and compliance with financial results by identifying and processing journal entries and payroll transfers, when necessary. Assists with assessment of efficiency and effectiveness of programs and procedures to ensure conformance with budgetary provisions.

This role manages operating and capital budgets for divisions and/or University-wide administrative units. Helps develop long and short term financial goals, business strategies/plans, and financial forecasts/models for major service programs and initiatives. Manages quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget.

Responsibilities

Develops systems/procedures to ensure integrity and internal financial controls of annual operating budget and annual gift/endowment use.
Reviews financial and clinical information; prepares daily, monthly, and ad-hoc reports including dashboards; provides analysis of financial statements, identifies variances from previous periods/budget; ensures policies/procedures to govern financial decision-making are followed to ensure achievement of objectives.
Responsible for financial management of IADFs, and the associated report out and monitoring of faculty start-ups. The finance manager uses this information to identify financial contingencies as it relates to long range financial planning.
Monitors aspects of revenue generation including professional fees, charge capture and billing, regulatory compliance and offsite practice activities.
Manages external billing agreements, including but not limited to proforma development, monthly invoicing, monitoring overall financial health of agreement, and identifying financial risks or concerns to the Senior Director.
Assists with tasks related to monthly close, including but not limited to journal entry, accrual preparation, and completing variance analyses.
Integrates long/short-range strategies into daily operational and financial planning/reporting to ensure resources for strategic programs are available.
Performs analysis and interpretation of financial data.
Creates proforma business plans and serves as chief information source for external benchmarking and market assessments to facilitate physician recruitment. Works closely with Senior Director of Finance to ensure business plans are coordinated relative to mission, physician deployment, capital equipment, space, revenue and expense.
In collaboration with the Senior Director, leads the annual budgeting process.
Liaise with departmental stakeholders to collect and stress test volume assumptions to build revenue budgets, including but not limited to gifts, grants and clinical revenue.
Utilizes various systems and inputs to build accurate expense budgets including salary and non-wage expense.
Provides support in developing budget roll up and narrative, as well as identifying financial risks throughout budget process to Senior Director and Department leadership.
Designs and manages physician compensation programs and tracks financial, wRVU, payor mix, case volume, research, academic and teaching targets for section leadership, existing faculty and new physician recruits.
Reports on productivity measures and monitors progress, identifies opportunities to streamline financial operations through best practices; monitors productivity, charge capture, revenue and expenses vs benchmarks to identify opportunities for expense reduction or productivity improvement.
Performs financial and clinical data analysis using internal data (eSimon, UCPG, Oracle, and other sources) and published benchmarking (MGMA, AAMC, etc.) to develop strategies and reporting to improve physician and departmental performance.
Analyzes and interprets financial information and assesses operational plans, forecasts and potential risks; evaluates alternative courses of action.
May manage/supervise staff; provides training, coaching, and mentoring in order to enable individual and team success.
Works independently to maintain and support the planning and execution of financial strategy.
Acts as a resource for team members, solves complex problems. Explains complex and sensitive information.
Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications

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Preferred Qualifications

Education

MBA or advanced degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in accounting, financial planning, budgeting, analysis, forecasting, modeling, auditing, financial control systems, and regulatory compliance.
Extensive experience in financial management skills, including the ability to analyze data for budgeting, operations, auditing and accounts receivable and reserve analysis, pro forma preparation.
Background in higher education, healthcare, or academic medical center, with a proven track record of success in the financial environment.

Technical Skills or Knowledge

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, financial computing, and intellectual versatility and creativity.

Preferred Competencies

Aptitude for translating complex issues and ideas to general audience.
Proficiency in financial principles, practices, methodologies, and applications, including budgeting, planning, and reporting within the organization's financial ecosystem.
Strong financial modeling skills within financial platforms.
Translate financial data into actionable insights and anticipate trends.
Demonstrated ability to navigate complex environments, exercise sound judgment.
Maintain confidentiality.
Excellent analytical and organizational abilities, with a focus on maximizing efficiency within financial systems.
Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills to establish and maintain relationships at all organizational levels.
Collaborative work style with strong consultative skills, facilitating effective engagement with financial stakeholders.
Work independently and manage multiple projects and competing priorities with minimal supervision, while navigating financial systems.
Strategic thinking to translate strategic objectives into operational plans, considering the financial landscape.
Work effectively under pressure, adapting to changes within financial systems.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically.
Develop and analyze alternative solutions and assist in making recommendations.
Work effectively and gracefully under considerable time pressure with competing deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Working Conditions

Office environment.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)
Cover Letter (required)
Professional References Contact Information (preferred)(3)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40 Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$90,000.00 - $130,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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