Position Overview:

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) in the College of Science and Engineering is seeking a Finance Professional 1 to join our finance team. We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative team player ready to join a culture of excellence. The Finance Professional 1 position will support the departmentâ™s mission of education, research and outreach. Toward that end, the successful candidate will be assigned the areas of responsibility and accountability listed below. ECE envisions a person who excels at communication, is detail-oriented, and is interested in efficient and innovative processes, and expects the successful candidate will take advantage of the ample opportunities for professional growth and knowledge acquisition that will be provided. The Finance Professional 1 will work closely with the Department Administrator and four other accounting and pre-award professionals in a collaborative and rewarding setting.

The salary range for this position is $53,000-$58,000, dependent on the selected candidateâ™s qualifications and skill set.

Duties/Responsibilities           
This position is responsible for departmental non-sponsored account strings. The position will approve transactions, manage student group accounts, coordinate ECE Depot (department store) and FedEx reconciliation, and manage other various non-sponsored accounts. The position also works closely with the CSE Purchasing Cluster to ensure prompt processing of purchasing card transactions, purchase orders, voucher payments, and requisitions. This position also serves as the Department journal entry (JE) preparer and coordinates the budgeting process each fiscal year. Opportunities to learn sponsored grant finance administration and the pre-award grant application processes will be available.

50% Account Monitoring and Processing

• Monitor financial results of accounts and funds monthly for reasonableness; review and apply regulations and University policies and procedures; identify areas of concern. 
• Serve as liaison to faculty, staff, and Campus Life Program student groups responding to complex accounting questions. 
• Receive/initiate and process invoices and check requests.
• Serve as ECE Journal Entry (JE) preparer.
• Analyze spending activity for compliance with University requirements. Identify areas of concern and recommend solutions. 
• Keep up-to-date on new policies/procedures and communicate to the department. 
• Review requisition requests for accuracy and compliance; audit travel and expense reimbursement to applicable policies and procedures. 
• Oversee purchasing card reconciliation and serve as department card administrator (DCA).
• Oversee and monitor expenses related to the ECE Depot and FedEx shipping.
• Serve as point-of-contact for student employees in their work reconciling Chrome River reimbursement requests.

20% Financial Approver

• Act as department approver for non-sponsored accounts. 
• Evaluate transactions for compliance with financial and regulatory requirements of the sponsor and University. 
• Review and approve purchasing requisitions, vendor payments, including subcontract invoices, journal entries, re-budgeting and adjustment requests. 
• Participate in continuing education on new policies and procedures.

15% Reporting, Analysis, and Reconciliation

• Audit expenditures. Monitor spending activity on accounts and reconcile account activity on a bi-monthly basis
• Resolve accounting issues identified during reconciliation of ECE Depot and FedEx transactions; prepare journal entries for funding transfers, cross-charges and adjustments/corrections. 
• Compile and analyze historical and anticipated revenue and expense data projections. 
• Prepare and review data and accounts in preparation for internal and external audits; research discrepancies in accounting data which includes auditing and analyzing fiscal data.
• In conjunction with the lead financial accountant and the department administrator, prepare and submit the annual budget.

15% Other Duties Dependent on Needs of Department and Interest of Candidate

• Serve as backup for other accounting team members as needed, with potential to learn grants administration.
• Serve as backup for Pre-Award Coordinator, helping faculty apply for new research grants.
• Participate in meetings, training sessions, and special projects as needed to contribute to the development, maintenance, and improvement of the Department and College.

Required Qualifications:          

• BA/BS or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Work experience in a higher education setting and familiarity with University of Minnesota accounting policies, procedures, and systems, including PeopleSoft.
• Proficiency with Excel or similar office spreadsheet programs.
• Excellent communication skills, strong problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment and manage multiple tasks under deadline pressures.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

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