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Finance Lead, Global R&D Study Forecasting

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Accounting/Auditing

Posted Oct 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you caught a forecast error before it reached management.

What they are checking: Whether they check their own work and own accuracy, since forecast errors reaching management damage trust in the whole finance team.

Tell me about a time you pulled data from several sources that didn't agree. How did you reconcile them?

What they are checking: Whether they reconcile conflicting data with a clear method and judgment about which source to trust, since study costs come from many systems.

What would you do

An Oncology study is spending well ahead of forecast at 50% enrollment. Walk me through how you'd investigate.

What they are checking: Breaking a variance into drivers like site activation, enrollment pace and vendor costs.

A clinical lead tells you the study is fine and the forecast is wrong, but the actuals say otherwise. How do you handle that?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold a position based on data while staying a partner, because forecasts lose value when finance simply defers to clinical teams.

How would you explain a study budget variance to someone in clinical who doesn't think in accruals?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain variances in plain clinical terms, because partners act on finance information only when they understand it.

You get three ad hoc requests in the same week as the monthly LBE. How do you decide what goes first?

What they are checking: Whether they prioritize by deadline and impact and reset expectations openly, rather than letting the monthly forecast slip quietly.

About the work

What are the main cost drivers in a clinical trial budget, and which ones move the most?

What they are checking: Real understanding of trial economics, from per-patient costs to CRO fees and pass-throughs.

How do the Plan, LBE and LRP cycles differ in what you'd focus on for a study forecast?

What they are checking: Knowing the purpose and time horizon of each forecast cycle.

How would you build scenarios for a study where enrollment could run fast or slow?

What they are checking: Whether they tie scenarios to real operational drivers like enrollment and site activation, so leaders can plan around a believable range.

What do you check before approving contract funding for a new study?

What they are checking: Whether they check commitments, budget availability and contract terms before funding, because those controls prevent overspending on studies.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

The Finance Lead, Global R&D Study Forecasting position is responsible for supporting and performing financial analysis and budgetary reconciliations of clinical trial budgets for ongoing and planned studies in Oncology. The Finance Lead monitors study forecasts and is responsible for managing complex study expenses and forecasts for Plan, LBE, LRP and Portfolio submissions. This position collaboratively interfaces with the clinical teams and respective finance management and supports many ad-hoc requests and projects. Responsibilities • Supports all aspects of the clinical trial budget process including trial cost analysis, scenario planning, contract funding approval, and study budget management through the study life cycle. • Gathers data from a variety of sources and provides quality clinical study budget information and metrics to Clinical and Finance Management to aid in planning decisions. • Responsible for preparing predefined and ad hoc reports for the clinical teams and finance management, communicating on a timely basis for variance discrepancies and issue resolution. • Leads the business in assessing and investigating study spend vs. forecast. • Demonstrates awareness and use of data sources by proactively updating previously established forecasts at a regular cadence (monthly LBEs, Quarterly ROSS reviews, 50%/100% enrollment timepoints, ad hoc requests and annual cost validation), and updates manager as to the status of the study being forecasted (startup, Main ROSS, reconciliation and close-out). • Interacts with various levels of management and functions within the organization. • Supports finance management on ad-hoc requests and projects. • Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting required. • CPA or MBA a plus. • Minimum 6+ years of progressive and related experience. • Strong financial, analytical and problem-solving skills. • Strong communication skills (verbal and written). • Proficient Excel skills required. • Knowledge of SAP, Power BI and BPC a plus. Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​ • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​ • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​ • This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​ Note : No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. ​ AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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