Job Title: FINANCIAL ANALYST - ERP PROGRAM BUDGET AND VALUE MANAGEMENT

Location: Chicago, IL – Hybrid

Duration: 1 Year

Type of contract: W2 / C2C

Background: currently undertaking a multi-year ERP modernization program for migrating and upgrading from on-premises Oracle E-Business Financials, Oracle PeopleSoft Human Capital Management Applications, and Kronos Workforce Management System to the latest SaaS-based Oracle Cloud ERP Platform as part of business and technology transformation initiative.

As part of the ERP Modernization Program, the Financial Analyst - ERP Program Budget and Value Management will be responsible for managing the overall budget preparation, tracking, and reporting as well as program benefit tracking for the Program BRIDGE implementing Oracle Cloud Fusion ERP.

This position resides in the ERP Transformation Program BRIDGE Office of the Information and Technology Services (ITS) of Chicago Public Schools.

Responsibilities:

The ideal candidate will:

• Overall responsibility for the Program BRIDGE budgeting processes including identification of Capex and Opex spend, collaborating with leadership to develop and manage the annual budget, ensuring the budget aligns with Program and organizational goals.
• Overall responsibility for the development and management of processes for tracking the Program benefits and key performance metrics.
• Responsibilities include development of KPI definitions, the value engineering approach, the value case, a CPS Program cost estimate, and the business case.
• Monitor Program BRIDGE spending to ensure it stays within approved budget limits for each of the fiscal year and for the whole program, and provide and track monthly Budget Vs Actual Spend analysis reports throughout the fiscal years for delivering Program within budget.
• Prepare monthly budget performance and benefit tracking reports with appropriate analysis, and provide briefings and documentation for tracking the actual program spending and adequacy of the approved budget for appropriate fiscal years.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses to determine value, and evaluate the financial well-being of the Program.
• Ensure that the program budget proposals and reports comply with CPS regulations, and stay abreast of new processes and procedures.
• Defend budget recommendations, and make recommendations for improving budget processes to optimize the Program Value.
• Provide consultation and training for team members responsible for preparing and reporting Program BRIDGE budgets, and tracking and reporting actual Program spend for both Capex and Opex categories.
• Process vendor payments according to the payment schedule upon certification of completion of relevant program milestones, deliverables and successful passage of exit gate criteria.
• Manage the importing of budget and actual data from accounting systems and ensure accuracy and efficiency for reporting.
• Prepare monthly financial reports including budget to actual variance and ad-hoc summaries.
• Assist senior management in establishing and finalizing the annual program budget for Board approval, providing technical and financial expertise as needed.
• Evaluate project change request proposals; assist in the development of budgets, review and approve budgets for the approved change request proposals and recommend contract terms.
• Develop and monitor budget forecasts to ensure financial stability of the program.
• Work with stakeholders during project implementation to address budget, grant and reporting and ensure compliance with funding guidelines.
• Prepare and maintain program financial procedures and tracking reports, leading monthly reviews with stakeholders.
• Recommend, review and implement financial policies and procedures to improve operational efficiency.
• Partner with leadership to streamline budgeting processes and provide financial insights for informed decision making.
• Support accounting team as assigned.
• Support the annual audit process, working with the Finance team to assure timely completion.
• Collaborate with Program BRIDGE internal and external team members to foster a positive and productive culture and contribute toward the overall Program delivery success.
• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of budgeting, financial forecasting, reporting, GAAP accounting, project management and grant reporting preferred.
• Proficiency in financial software and databases.
• Advanced competency using Excel and working knowledge of other MS Office products (Word and Outlook) required.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.
• Proficiency in Google Suite software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to work with a minimal amount of supervision.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Type of Education and Certification Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or a related field or comparable work experience required; CPA is preferred.

Type of Experience and Number of Years:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in financial management, preferably in a public sector setting preferred.
• Experience with Budget preparation, Value Management, Financial Tracking, and Reporting of a multi-million-dollar long-term Cloud ERP Program is preferred.
• Experience in non-profit GAAP accounting required preferably in Education (K-12) preferred.