Accounting and Finance Specialist

Department

Provost Charter School Finance

About the Department

The University of Chicago is distinguished among its peers by its firm commitment to academic excellence in all its forms. Among its many strengths, the University operates numerous entities and initiatives focused on excellent elementary and secondary education. Central to the University’s commitment to public education is the UChicago Charter School (UCCS), a non-profit entity governed by a Board of Directors and operating as a University affiliated unit under the Office of the Provost.

UCCS began in 1998 with a group of committed educators, who, working in partnership with the University of Chicago, founded a prekindergarten to fifth grade charter school on the North Kenwood/Oakland campus. Today, UCCS operates two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school in three buildings, all within 10 minutes of the University of Chicago campus. Approximately 200 staff members across the three campuses offer over 1300 neighborhood children on Chicago’s South Side a PK-12 superhighway that empowers students to achieve excellence at every level, cultivating critical thinkers and leaders for success in college and in life.

Job Summary

The Accounting and Finance Specialist will provide comprehensive accounting support to the Director of Finance at the University of Chicago Charter School Corp (UCCS). The role encompasses global budget-to-actual analysis, ledger review, account administration, corrections, and fiscal closings. The Accounting and Finance Specialist will prepare various accounting entries, perform monthly reconciliations, and generate quarterly and annual financial statements. They will also assist with audit preparations, grant financial reporting, fixed asset depreciation, and cash receipts auditing. Other key responsibilities include submitting reimbursement requests, supporting payroll functions, and resolving discrepancies related to purchasing and payroll.

Responsibilities

• Provide global analysis of budget-to-actual for UCCS.

• Support accounting activities including ledger review, account administration, corrections, and fiscal closings.

• Complete grant, program, or activity-based reporting.

• Prepare accounting entries, analyses, and reconciliations.

• Generate monthly budget-to-actual reports and quarterly and annual financial statements.

• Assist with preparation of audit schedules for annual external audits and other applicable audits.

• Prepare grant financial reports for Chicago Public Schools, State of Illinois, Federal agencies, and private foundations.

• Assist in preparation of Form 990.

• Complete monthly bank reconciliations.

• Maintain fixed asset depreciation schedules and expenditure tracking ledgers for federal funds.

• Audit cash receipts.

• Submit reimbursement requests to CPS and other funding agencies.

• Assist with financial forecasting for grants and proposals.

• Perform budget-to-actual analysis and year-end projections.

• Manage and post Pension Employer and Employee Contributions for CTPF.

• Support payroll functions as needed.

• Facilitate resolution of problems, discrepancies, and emergencies in purchasing and payroll processing functions.

• Performs a variety of routine operating or cost accounting activities which require basic knowledge of accounting theories and principles.

• Examines accounting records for the purpose of determining gains and losses, receipts and disbursements, and inventory.

• 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 < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Associate’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.

Experience:

• Accounting/finance experience.

• Experience items: Federal Grants, Audit, CPS Compliance.

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with spreadsheet and word processing software.

• Proficiency with accounting and budgeting software, Oracle strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

• Clear and concise communication of accounting and fin