Finance Associate

Company: American Institutes for Research
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

AIR’s Corporate Finance Office is seeking a Finance Associate to join its forward-thinking and supportive team. The Corporate Finance Office is a dynamic workplace with a clear mission to develop and maintain a service-oriented organization aligned with business objectives. The Finance Associate role in government contracting is a crucial position responsible for providing in-depth financial analysis, reporting, and strategic guidance to support government contracts. The ideal candidate will have a deep knowledge of government contracting practices, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to clearly convey complex financial data. Reporting to the Senior Financial Analyst, this role will ensure close collaboration with multiple collaborators to maintain financial accuracy, ensure regulatory compliance, and achieve key financial goals. If you're looking to grow your impact and be part of a mission-driven organization, we invite you to bring your skills and perspective to AIR. This position offers flexibility to be fully remote within the United States (does not include U.S. territories) or to work in a hybrid capacity from AIR’s offices in Crystal City, VA or Chicago, IL with occasional travel required for meetings and training sessions. About AIR: Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all. Responsibilities: The key responsibilities for the position include- Financial Planning, Analysis and Reporting Conduct comprehensive financial analysis to support government contracts, including budget preparation, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial modeling. Collaborate cross-functionally to develop and implement strategic financial plans aligned with organizational goals. Provide financial insights and recommendations to support decision-making and long-term growth. Contract Cost Management Monitor and manage contract costs to ensure adherence to budgetary guidelines and contractual requirements. Conduct cost-benefit analyses and identify areas for cost optimization and efficiency improvements. Compliance and Audit Support Ensure compliance with government regulations, accounting standards, and internal policies by staying current on regulatory updates and implementing necessary changes. Assist with internal and external audits by providing accurate documentation, addressing findings promptly, and implementing corrective actions as needed. Contract Negotiation and Review Support in contract negotiations and review financial terms and conditions to ensure favorable outcomes for the organization. Evaluate potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to protect financial interests. Cross functional Partnership and Guidance Work closely with project managers, contract administrators, and other collaborators to provide financial expertise and guidance throughout the contract lifecycle. Foster strong relationships and enhance collaboration and engagement to achieve shared objectives. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time based on business needs. Qualifications: Education, Knowledge, and Experience Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. Minimum of 2 years’ experience in financial analysis, ideally within government contracting. Knowledge of government contracting principles, regulations (e.g., FAR, DFARS), and cost accounting standards. Experience with financial management systems such as Deltek, SAP or Oracle is preferred, but not required. Skills Effective communicator with the ability to engage across all organizational levels and backgrounds, particularly in virtual settings, and present financial information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Skilled at juggling multiple priorities and adapting to team dynamics while meeting deadlines independently and collaboratively. Strong analytical and strategic problem-solving abilities, with a proven ability to analyze complex financial data and deliver data-driven insights that support informed decision-making. Strong proficiency in financial principles, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling, with expertise in financial analysis tools and techniques. Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in financial reporting, forecasting, and compliance, ensuring high standards of integrity and reliability. Proficient in using standard Microsoft 365, including OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel (advanced), Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat Pro. Hands-on experience with financial systems and analytical tools such as Costpoint 8, Cognos, Tableau, and Power BI. Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements. American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000. Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out torecruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams. LI-AS1 LI-REMOTE AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States. Anticipated Annual Salary Range $75,200 - $84,000 USD

Keywords: American Institutes for Research, Buffalo Grove , Finance Associate, Accounting, Auditing , Chicago, Illinois