Serve as sponsored and non-sponsored accountant for assigned chart-strings, including responsibility to monitor and report financial activity, provide fiscal oversight, audit, reconcile, forecast accurate balances, and analyze data and transactions for compliance.  Interpret award regulations and relate to principal investigators and lab staff, as well as proactively identify and resolve issues related to carry forward requests, no cost extensions, re-budgeting requirements, grant close-outs, changes in personnel, cost-share/salary cap compliance, and effort certification.  Provide expertise to faculty and other stakeholders on complex financial accounting, reporting and fiscal management issues. Demonstrate proficient knowledge base, strong communication skills, and capacity to work both independently and as part of a team.

25%: Prepare monthly and annual reports for assigned grants/projects/programs for principal investigators and departmental financial team. Prepare detailed and complex financial analysis of assigned accounts to problem solve, identify areas of concern, document for audit purposes, and recommend a course of action to resolve any issues.  Analyze situations that arise and use judgment to interpret grant, contract, and University regulations. Monitor spending activity on assigned accounts and reconcile account activity on a monthly basis; resolve accounting issues identified during reconciliation. Must be proficient to interpret and apply policy to grant management situations outside of the box.

20%: Facilitate meetings with principal investigators regarding the monitoring of grant expenditures and balances, and advise on other related non-sponsored financial accounting matters by keeping the principal investigator and the finance manager informed of current and projected balances.  Provide data and recommendations regarding account balances, budgeting practices, and accounting functions. Provide support and recommendations regarding administrative requests to the sponsor such as submission of re-budget requests, no-cost extension letters, changes to key personnel, requests for carryover of unspent funds, budget short falls/overruns, as well as subaward activity and contract set up and amendments.  Draft and review these communications that go out to the sponsors on behalf of the principal investigator and the University to ensure compliance and financial integrity.

15%: Serve as a resource, consulting with principal investigators, administrative/lab staff, and other accounting and payroll staff regarding financial services, practices, and policy and procedure interpretation related to procurement allowances, travel, appropriate justification preparations, p-card usability, and other financial regulatory activities. Serve as liaison between the principal investigator and the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration, Sponsored Financial Reporting and department staff, interpreting and explaining policy and procedural requirements. Work within the team to provide information to resolve gaps in processes or procedures. Analyze the efficiency and adequacy of established department accounting procedures; and develop and implement changes in collaboration with Finance Manager.

15%: Coordinate effort certification for assigned faculty and grants, including managing and monitoring payroll distributions, effort, salary commitments, salary cap issues, and budgetary implications. Communicate regularly with principal investigators regarding necessary distribution changes; process necessary corrections and set up required cost-share/salary cap correctly.

15%: Perform Departmental approvals, including serving as point of contact for trouble-shooting and problem-solving sponsored activity issues that arise within assigned accounts. Audit and approve/deny expenditures on assigned sponsored and non-sponsored accounts based on administrative requirements of the University and sponsor. Prepare journal entries for funding transfers, cross-charges, adjustments and corrections.

10%: Attend classes, workshops, seminars, and other meetings to remain up-to-date on system and policy changes, pursue or maintain Certified Approver status, and continue professional development.  Serve on various central and local committees, advisory boards and user groups.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials. 

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS plus at least two years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least six yearsâ‹.
• Experience to include financial analysis, creating and maintaining financial reports, and budgeting.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability and willingness to learn and to take on challenges.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders, and individuals 
• Strong organizational and customer service orientation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel (formulas, pivot tables, Vlookup, etc.) and Word.
• Experience analyzing and reconciling data in multiple systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Evidence of successful working relationships with senior management and principal investigators.
• Familiarity with University systems such as PeopleSoft HRMS, EFS, UM Analytics/Reports, ECRT and EGMS.
• Familiarity with University and sponsored accounting (federal and non-federal) regulations.
• Certified Approver
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and resolve complex problems.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and direct multiple projects and interrelated financial activities with major operational or funding impact.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate business needs of the PI and/or Center, develop and analyze alternatives, and make recommendations to faculty and unit leaders regarding budgets and financial impact.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects with fixed deadlines and ability to re-prioritize tasks as needed.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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