Senior Financial Analyst

Seeking a Senior Financial Analyst for a direct hire opportunity in Chicago for one of the nation's largest independent foundations. Organizations supported by the Foundation work in about fifty countries. The Senior Financial Analyst is an integral part of the Financial Planning and Analysis team within the Finance Department and has developed a broad knowledge of accounting and FP&A practices, rules, and regulations applicable to the nonprofit field. This position supports the established financial policies and procedures in the conduct of everyday operations and is knowledgeable of policies and procedures regarding all aspects of accounting and finance. The Senior Financial Analyst will primarily assist the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis in supporting the financial planning and accounting operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Budget Analysis and Reporting

• Collaborate with team, including Chief of Operations and President, on annual budget preparation and monthly forecast updates; prepare analysis of year-to-date actuals and provide forecast templates
• Prepare internal financial and budget reports for quarterly board meetings and semi-annual Audit Committee meetings, including variance analysis
• Create, maintain, and support ad hoc reports in the Workday ERP system used for the preparation of annual financial statements, tax returns, and budget reporting
• Assist with internal financial and budget schedules for Board Budget Committee meetings
• Assist Director, Financial Planning & Analysis with annual budget development process and monthly forecast process; schedule Budget Update meetings with President and senior leadership, assist with preparation of monthly Budget Update materials
• Contribute expertise in financial modeling, scenario planning, development, and tracking of key performance indicators in support of Foundation-wide initiatives across programs and departments
• Develop financial dashboards and scorecards for executive-level and team-level consumption to help drive data-informed decisions

General Ledger Accounting

• Support staff in recording operational transactions and review financial activity on a periodic basis to ensure all transactions are properly recorded and in line with accounting standards; process operational reclass transactions as necessary. Exercise sound judgment to either promptly resolve outstanding issues or request additional input from the supervisor
• Support general ledger accounting and reporting required for external audit and tax return preparation, including allocation entries, as necessary
• Process and reconcile all intercompany activity including cash settlement between two entities; ensure accurate elimination of intercompany activity for financial statement purposes
• Complete account reconciliations for general ledger accounts, including but not limited to cash, prepaid assets, receivables, payables, deferred revenue, and intercompany accounts
• Prepare prepaid insurance amortization schedule and record monthly entry to the general ledger

Accounts Receivable

• Process revenue transactions and ensure compliance with ASC standards, including all accounts receivable transactions and customer invoicing related to competition fees and receipts of gifts and grants
• Ensure accurate and timely presentation of grant and contract revenue on internal reporting, audited financial statements, and tax reporting

Accounts Payable

• Review and approve invoices processed by administrative staff; ensure the correct amount is properly authorized in compliance with company policies; provide payment processing support to staff
• Review employee expense reimbursements for accuracy and compliance with policy and process for payment; ensure that employees submit expense reports in a timely manner
• Manage weekly settlement of electronic payments via retail banking system (BMO Harris), including resolution of payment issues with bank, re-issuance of wires, and resolution of payment instruction issues
• Manage corporate card and airline accounts, book activity in the general ledger, and analyze prepaid and unclassified travel accounts

Treasury and Cash Management

• Manage the bank account, track all settlements, record cash activity, reconcile variances, and inform operational team of potential cash flow issues
• Collaborate with BMO Harris representatives and foundation banking specialists to troubleshoot banking issues in the ERP system and maintain integrations with the bank. Maintain settlement controls and verify compliance with approved board resolutions

Tax Accounting and Other

• Assist Tax Manager with preparation of the annual Form 990 tax filing, including analysis of functional expenses
• Prepare analysis of supplier payments to be included in the annual filing of Form 1099s 

Other Details:

• Schedule: 8am-5pm
• Location: Chicago/Remote

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is required, a CPA is essential
• At least four to seven years of finance-related experience required
• Expert level knowledge of accounting systems and applications, budget planning tools, Microsoft Office Suite, and other business-related software
• Solid understanding of transaction analysis and recording of financial transactions with supporting documentation
• Knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards including revenue recognition, grant and contract accounting, and financial statement disclosures
• Understanding of control environment and compliance with policies and procedures to minimize errors (and prevent fraud) by employees, customers, vendors, and management, and to protect the organization’s financial assets
• Ability to respond quickly and accurately to requests for information from Foundation employees and external parties such as consultants and auditors
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable speaking and presenting to large groups and translating financial and accounting data into terms different audiences can understand