Financial Analyst

Overview

A healthcare delivery system serving over 4.2 million residents across six counties in northeast Illinois is seeking a Financial Analyst-Research to support its research and development initiatives. The organization operates more than 300 ambulatory locations and eight acute care hospitals recognized for nursing excellence. This role focuses on financial management and compliance for sponsored research projects.

Responsibilities

• Review expenditures and full-time equivalent (FTE) distributions on research accounts to ensure compliance with award guidelines, organizational policies, sponsor requirements, and federal regulations.
• Approve and process requisitions related to sponsored project expenditures, ensuring accuracy and adherence to budgets.
• Prepare and present quarterly financial summaries of sponsored projects to Clinical Research Unit (CRU) managers, directors, and Principal Investigators (PIs), including necessary adjustments.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies in expenses, making corrections through journal entries or other mechanisms.
• Collaborate with PIs and CRU teams to provide salary and fringe benefit information for budget development, progress reports, and financial projections.
• Assist in projecting surpluses or deficits at project end periods and prepare future spending plans aligned with award allotments.
• Manage research labor distribution for PIs and study team members to ensure accurate allocation of research-related labor costs.
• Support completion of sponsored project tasks such as salary/fringe reporting, progress reporting, and budget adjustments.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support research financial management and organizational objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• Certification in Research Financials (e.g., NCURA or ACRP) is highly preferred.
• Relevant experience in post-award financial management within healthcare, university, or research institutions.
• Strong understanding of NIH Grants Policy Statements, OMB Circular A-133, DHHS policies, and PCORI policies.
• Experience with enterprise-level ERP systems such as Workday Finance or Workday Grants is highly advantageous.
• Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate complex financial information clearly.
• Proactive problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Financial analysis
• Budgeting
• Financial reporting
• Research finance
• Compliance
• Data analysis

Compensation & Benefits

• Career advancement opportunities through structured professional growth pathways.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and pet insurance options.
• Tuition reimbursement programs.
• Free parking facilities.
• Wellness program savings plans.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) options.
• Retirement plans with company matching contributions.
• Paid time off and holiday pay.
• Community involvement opportunities.

Location

Northeast Illinois, serving multiple counties with facilities in Naperville, Elmhurst, Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park, Arlington Heights, Skokie, and Chicago.

Equal Opportunity

The organization is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. It does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Reasonable accommodations are provided throughout the application and employment process.