Financial Analyst /Spend & Contract Reconciliation Analyst

Financial Analyst / Spend & Contract Reconciliation Analyst
Location: North Chicago, IL (on-site)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, standard business hours
Contract: 6 months (extension based on performance & business needs)
$33-$37/hr based on benefit selection
 
Orion Group is seeking a Financial Analyst to support external spend tracking, contract reconciliation, and payment operations for our pharmaceutical client in North Chicago.
This role is highly analytical and detail-driven, focused on reconciling large volumes of financial data against contracts, invoices, and planned spend. You will work cross-functionally to ensure accuracy, resolve discrepancies, and support efficient financial operations in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
 
What You’ll Do:

Spend Tracking & Reconciliation

• Track, analyze, and reconcile external spend against contracted amounts and financial plans
• Review and validate invoices and contracts (often high-volume and multi-page) for accuracy and compliance
• Monitor actual spend vs. forecast and ensure alignment with approved budgets

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze large datasets using Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, trend analysis) to identify discrepancies and trends
• Create and maintain tracking tools to monitor spend, payments, and outstanding balances
• Summarize and present findings to support leadership decision-making

Systems & Financial Operations

• Utilize systems such as SAP, SRM, and Conga to manage contracts, vendors, and payment processes
• Enter and track financial plans, ensuring accurate documentation of actuals and forecasts
• Support contract and invoice lifecycle processes from submission through reconciliation

Issue Resolution & Stakeholder Support

• Identify and resolve payment discrepancies, outstanding balances, and contract misalignments
• Partner with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure timely and accurate payment processing
• Communicate effectively to drive resolution and maintain smooth financial operations

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve tracking, reporting, and reconciliation processes
• Challenge existing processes and recommend more efficient or accurate approaches
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the team

 
What You Bring:

Required:

• 2+ years of experience in financial analysis, accounts payable, contract reconciliation, or similar
• Advanced Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis, trend reporting)
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to work through large, complex datasets
• Experience reviewing invoices and contracts in detail
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to ensure accuracy across high-volume work
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills in a fast-paced environment

Highly Preferred:

• Experience with SAP, SRM, and/or Conga
• Background in accounts payable, financial operations, or contract management
• Experience working with budgets, forecasts, and financial tracking
• Experience in pharmaceutical or regulated industries

 
What Success Looks Like:

• Accurately reconciles spend across contracts, invoices, and financial plans
• Quickly identifies and resolves discrepancies and payment issues
• Leverages Excel and systems effectively to manage large datasets
• Communicates clearly with stakeholders to drive timely resolutions
• Contributes to process improvements and increased efficiency

 
Key Traits for Success:

• Highly detail-oriented and analytical
• Comfortable working with large volumes of financial data
• Proactive problem solver
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Adaptable and able to manage shifting priorities

People are our business worldwide
 
Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.