Financial Compliance Payment Analyst

Financial Analyst I (Financial Compliance & Payment Operations) Location: North Chicago, IL Schedule: Hybrid (Tuesday–Thursday onsite, Monday & Friday remote) Contract: 6–12 months to start (extension based on performance & business needs) Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST (flex up to 8:30 AM start) Pay Rate: $25–$29/hr (based on benefits selection) Orion Group is seeking a Financial Analyst I to support payment operations and financial compliance processes for our pharmaceutical client. This role is not a traditional accounting or FP&A position—it sits at the intersection of finance, compliance, and operations, focused on reviewing and reconciling payments tied to consultant and vendor engagements. You will play a key role in ensuring accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness across high-volume payment activities in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment. What You’ll Do: Payment Review & Reconciliation Review and reconcile high volumes of payment requests (invoices, expense reports, out-of-pocket receipts) Ensure all documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with internal policies and regulatory requirements Validate alignment between contracts, invoices, and payment terms Compliance & Documentation Maintain audit-ready documentation for all transactions Support transparency reporting requirements (e.g., Sunshine Act) Ensure adherence to corporate and regulatory compliance standards Vendor & Payment Operations Assist with vendor setup and validation (tax forms, banking details, W-9/W-8 documentation) Process purchase order (PO) requests and support various payment methods (PO, ACR, etc.) Support payment closeout activities and resolve discrepancies Stakeholder Communication Partner with business owners, consultants, and internal stakeholders to resolve payment issues Communicate timelines, delays, and requirements clearly and professionally Provide high-quality customer service in a high-volume support environment Process Improvement & Tracking Identify and support process improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and accuracy Track work using tools such as Smartsheet or internal systems (e.g., iHub, SAP) Help manage backlog and support onboarding of new processes What You Bring: Required: 1–5 years of experience in invoice processing, reconciliation, accounts payable, or financial operations Strong attention to detail and ability to review large volumes of data accurately Excellent written and verbal communication skills Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Strong organizational and problem-solving skills Customer service mindset with experience supporting internal or external stakeholders Preferred: Experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, or regulated industries Exposure to SAP or similar financial systems Familiarity with compliance processes, transparency reporting, or audit documentation Experience with tools such as Smartsheet, Excel, or internal tracking systems (e.g., iHub) Knowledge of tax documentation (W-9, W-8) What Success Looks Like: Quickly learns complex processes and systems Maintains high accuracy across high-volume work (~7,500 invoices annually) Ensures compliance and audit readiness at every step Communicates effectively with stakeholders and resolves issues proactively Adapts easily to changing priorities and workflows Why This Role: Opportunity to gain experience in a large, global pharmaceutical organization Exposure to compliance-driven financial operations and cross-functional collaboration Strong potential for extension and long-term growth Role Overview Important: This is NOT a traditional finance role despite how it may appear Focus is on contract reconciliation, compliance, and payment processing across: HCPs (Healthcare Professionals) HCOs (Healthcare Organizations) Patients / patient advocates (e.g., caregivers, professors, research contributors providing consulting services) Team is responsible for: Receiving invoices Validating against contracts and compliance requirements Ensuring accurate payment processing Reconciling and closing out transactions Core Responsibilities Review and reconcile invoices submitted for services performed (HCPs, patients, research contributors, etc.) Compare invoices against: Contract terms Approved hours Out-of-pocket expenses Ensure: Services billed align with agreed contracts Hours and expenses do not exceed approved limits Manage a multi-step validation process prior to payment approval (This is not a simple invoice processing role — multiple checks are required before payment is released) Ensure invoices are accurately processed, paid, and fully reconciled Support compliance with: OEC (Office of Ethics & Compliance) Transparency reporting requirements Audit readiness Partner cross-functionally with: Legal Accounts Payable Business owners Communicate with both internal teams and external stakeholders (HCPs, patients, etc.) via email and phone Key Skill Sets Strong attention to