Staff Accountant, Corporate Accounting & Consolidations

Job Description
Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system at UChicago Medicine as a Staff Accountant. This position will be primarily a work-from-home opportunity, with the requirement to come onsite as needed.

The Staff Accountant, Corporate Accounting & Consolidations, is responsible for supporting the accurate and timely preparation of accounting records and financial reporting activities for the University of Chicago Health System and its related entities and partnerships. The Staff Accountant supports the monthly close process through the preparation of routine journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial schedules related to investments, debt, insurance, eliminations, and joint venture activities.

The Staff Accountant assists with quarterly and annual financial reporting, audit support, and other Corporate Accounting activities. The role works closely with members of Corporate Accounting, Treasury, and other departments to obtain information, resolve routine accounting questions, and ensure transactions are recorded accurately and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

The position is expected to perform established accounting processes with increasing independence while escalating complex or non-routine accounting matters to senior team members. The role requires strong attention to detail, organization, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a collaborative environment.

Essential Job Functions

Prepare routine monthly journal entries and supporting documentation for assigned accounting areas, which may include:
Investment transactions, including income accruals, amortization, accretion, valuation adjustments, and gains/losses.
Insurance prepaid and accrual activity.
Entity eliminations and intercompany activity.
Joint venture and partnership activity, including recording financial information provided by external partners.
Bonds and debt service, including interest accruals, debt issuance cost amortization, and debt service payments.
Grants and pledges, including recording, reconciling, and reporting related activity.
Perform established accounting processes in accordance with GAAP and department procedures.
Participate in the monthly close process by completing assigned tasks accurately and within established deadlines.
Research and resolve accounting discrepancies, escalating complex or unusual items to senior team members.
Prepare monthly account reconciliations for assigned investment, insurance, elimination, joint venture, debt, grants, pledges, and related accounts.
Analyze account activity and investigate variances and reconciling items.
Maintain accurate and organized supporting documentation for journal entries and reconciliations.
Assist with roll-forward schedules and other supporting schedules used in financial reporting and audit activities.
Follow up with internal departments and external parties as needed to obtain supporting information.
Assist with the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting schedules.
Support the preparation of bond and debt compliance reports by providing assigned financial information and supporting schedules.
Assist with quarterly and annual financial statement close and reporting activities.
Provide requested schedules, documentation, and account support for interim and year-end financial statement audits.
Assist with maintaining audit schedules and responding to routine audit requests.
Support the preparation of consolidated financial reporting by completing assigned accounting and reconciliation activities.
Participate in special projects and operational improvement initiatives as requested by leadership.
Assist with documenting accounting processes and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Support other members of the Corporate Accounting team with routine accounting and reporting activities as needed.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Minimum of 2–4 years of relevant accounting experience.
Experience with general ledger accounting, journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
Experience with nonprofit or healthcare accounting is preferred.
Exposure to investment, debt, consolidation, grants, pledges, or partnership accounting is preferred but not required.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is preferred but not required.

Skills

Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and fundamental accounting concepts, including accruals, prepaids, revenue, expenses, and account reconciliations.
Basic understanding of financial statement preparation and the accounting close process.
Ability to follow established accounting procedures and accurately prepare journal entries and reconciliations.
Ability to identify and research routine discrepancies and appropriately escalate complex or unusual issues.
Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet established deadlines.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other financial reporting or analytical tools.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Ability to learn and apply accounting concepts to new and unfamiliar transactions.
Working knowledge of large-scale, complex Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and an understanding of how transactions flow through the general ledger and financial statements.

Position Details

Job Type: Full Time (1.0FTE)
Shift: Days M-F
Location: Burr Ridge (when/if required to come in office)
Department: Financial Reporting
CBA Code: Non-Union