at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
DepartmentProvost Academic Affairs and Governance
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
As a member of the Office of the Provost staff reporting to the Associate Provost for PK-12 Public Education and working directly with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UCCS, the Director of Finance (Director) is responsible for the sound financial management of UCCS. The Director oversees all aspects of financial operations including budget development for each charter school campus, the corporation overall, and the university's investment in UCCS. In addition, the Director advises UCCS leadership on fundraising through grants, gifts, and endowment; is responsible for the management of public and private revenues and expenses; oversees payroll and benefits; and directs financial planning and reporting. With the CEO and the UCCS Board of Directors, the Director ensures that adequate controls are maintained to safeguard the assets of UCCS and that financial accounting and reporting processes comply with University of Chicago policies as well as city, state, and federal policies/laws relevant to the UCCS corporation and charter school operations, so that UCCS and its students can be successful.
Responsibilities
- Leads annual and long-term budgeting for UCCS and serves as a resource in all aspects of the financial operations of UCCS, including strategic planning and organizational effectiveness.
- Acts as the principal fiscal advisor to the CEO and UCCS school directors.
- Serves as the financial representative for UCCS with the University and the Chicago Public Schools, which authorizes and funds the charter school campuses.
- Partners with other schools and charter advocacy organizations as appropriate to learn, network, and advocate for UCCS.
- Hires, supervises, and evaluates University staff responsible for payroll, accounting, and grants management.
- Oversees the financial health of UCCS by directing, supporting, and evaluating the work of UCCS employees who manage payroll, accounting, and operations at the four campuses.
- Serves as liaison between UCCS and the Office of the Provost and other University departments to support the financial and operational health of UCCS.
- Develops and implements accounting policies, fiscal controls, and procedures for improved operations.
- Develops and manages the key financial processes and functions of UCCS related to financial records, general ledger, and financial statements and reports.
- Ensures the preparation of timely, concise, and meaningful financial reporting for UCCS Board of Directors meetings, internal University audits, external audits, and regulatory reports, such as charter renewal.
- Oversees the timely and accurate preparation of all tax documents including Form 990 and Form 5500 for ERISA retirement plan and health, dental, vision and life insurance plans.
- Conducts research, analyzes issues, produces presentations and recommendations for review with the CEO, Associate Provost, Board of Directors, and other UCCS and University leaders as necessary.
- Manages financial staff through subordinates, usually other managers and professional staff. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for the related departments managed.
- Executes functional business plans and contributes to the development of financial goals, strategies, plans, and policies for the unit.
- Recommends the management of operating and capital budgets, information and accounting systems, revenue billing and collection, and the monitoring of expenditures on active accounts.
- Advises budgets for all areas within scope of responsibility. Directs quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in accounting, finance, or a related field required. CPA strongly preferred.
Experience:
- A minimum of ten years of accounting experience. Experience with budgets, ledgers, invoices, and fiscal reporting.
- Charter school or university accounting experience.
- Supervisory experience.
Preferred Competencies
- Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Proficiency with spreadsheet and word processing software.
- Ability to communicate accounting and financial information clearly and concisely.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong technical and analytical accounting skill.
- Ability to work independently.
- Strong business ethics and dependability.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- References (3 required)
When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Financial Management
Role Impact
People Manager
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.
Staff 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.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
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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