Job Summary
The Biochemistry department at CU Boulder is encouraging applications for the Finance and Accounting Professional position! The Finance and Accounting Professional provides financial management and efficient and professional accounting support to the Department, faculty and their research groups which includes 22 full-time, tenure-track, and research faculty, with approximately 200 research personnel and an award portfolio of 8 million in annual research expenditures.
This position reviews, analyzes, and reports on expenditures for research grants, contracts and other fund accounts, and assures compliance with GASB principles of accounting and state fiscal rules through audit and analysis of financial transactions and records;
interpretation of statements and reports, expenditure projection reports, and organization of grant documents and other confidential information.
Budgetary and planning support will be provided to the Manager of Finance and Business Operations, the Chair, the Associate Chairs, and the faculty and technical staff within the department.
This position will create and recommend improved processes to ensure compliance with all fiscal regulations and policies.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment.
We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
Since 1986, Biochemistry has offered a world-class interdisciplinary research environment in a beautiful mountain setting.
Faculty include a Nobel Laureate, five members of the National Academy of Sciences, three Howard Hughes Investigators, and many other esteemed scientists who have established themselves as research leaders within biochemistry.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Budgetary Management and Financial Compliance :
- Provide budgetary support and ensure financial compliance with university policies and processes.
- Ensure financial transactions are in compliance with federal, state, university and campus fiscal policies and processes.
- Monitor activities in all research, general, auxiliary, gift, and royalty and independently analyze the needs of individual project and program accounts.
- Use professional knowledge and judgment to choose the most appropriate and fiscally sound methods of fund financial disbursement ensuring that they are in compliance with GASB principles of accounting, and state fiscal rules, funding agency rules, and University and Department regulations and policies.
- Administer sub-contracts from initial set-up to closeout. Create monthly reports required by sub-contracts.
- Create periodic reports for each of the PIs and help them accurately and appropriately forecast future expenditures and payroll.
- Maintain close communication between PIs and the Office of Contracts and Grants, Campus Controller's Office, Procurement Service Center, Human Resources, and IT.
Advise faculty, research scientists, project personnel, and students of grant and contract procedures and regulations required by funding sponsors and Federal, State, University, and Department rules.
- Using knowledge of basic accounting, supervise and monitor processes for invoicing internal and external customers for core facilities housed within the Department.
- Assist with annual rate-setting exercise for all core facilities in coordination with the Budget and Fiscal Planning office.
- Collect and reconcile payments for invoices to external customers.
Post-Award Management for Sponsored Projects :
Create travel and expense reports for sponsored projects in compliance with Federal, State, University, and Department policies.
Based on knowledge of these policies this position will use knowledge of appropriate policies to approve expenditure requests.
- Collaborate with the Procurement Services Center to ensure research needs are met and campus policies are followed.
- Act as Department point of contact for closeouts, residuals transfers, audits, and fiscal reporting.
- Advise PIs of important funding target dates, and assist with carry-forward and extension funding. Coordinate with grant accountants to ensure proper budget use and allocability.
- Work with Department staff and Human Resources to resolve payroll issues.
- Supervise the approval and reconciliation of procurement card reports, assuring appropriate receipts and documentation are provided.
- Using knowledge of university rules and policies, and in coordination with Human Resources, advise the Department and faculty as to which position types to use for new hires and confirm salaries for Research Assistants, University Staff, and Student Assistants.
- Assist Biochemistry PIs in selecting and administering multi-year fellowships, forecast for future fellowship appointments, and monitor for compliance.
Administrative Management and Planning :
- Serve as a primary resource for determining, interpreting, and applying university and campus policies and procedures.
- Coordinate retreats, project meetings, and committee meetings for all faculty.
- Provide overall financial knowledge and support for faculty and staff and the Biochemistry Chair, focusing on day-to-day management.
- Assist in any assigned projects involving research finance as requested by the Chair and / or faculty and principal investigators.
- Work with the Chair to ensure accurate distribution of the Department’s allocation of ICR revenues.
What You Should Know
This position offers a hybrid work modality requiring at least 2 days in the office and 3 days remote.
What We Can Offer
The salary range for this position is $53,000-$58,000.
Benefits
The University of Colorado offers excellent , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass.
The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the .
Be Statements
Be dynamic. Be strategic. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field from an accredited university. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be substituted for the degree on a year-for-year basis.
- 1+ years of experience providing professional financial management and administrative support.
What You Will Need
- Excellent customer service. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal problem-solving skills.
- A high degree of professionalism and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to work optimally in a working environment with multiple interruptions.
- Ability to build and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
- Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple complex priorities.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Suite, Word, and Excel.
- Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences, with the ability to work well with faculty, staff, and students from around the world.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field from an accredited university.
- 2+ years of experience providing accounting, finance, and / or business administration in a complex environment that includes budgetary responsibilities.
- Experience with research and contract accounting and management.