Position Overview
The Accountant Senior position is responsible for performing complex accounting work, including budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing data from various university sources and software. This role ensures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles to execute, analyze, reconcile, verify, and report financial transactions. The Accountant Senior will follow institutional and state policies, procedures, and restrictions, and maintain internal controls. Additionally, this position oversees financial reporting, procurement processes, and associated tasks, as well as collecting, tracking, researching, and analyzing data. The Accountant Senior will prepare financial management reports for past and present operations, support budgeting and forecasting, and audit, monitor, and report activities related to specific budget funds.

This position works Monday through Friday 8 am - 5pm

Operations Business Office within KU Operations provides general oversight for most departments within Operations, including financial oversight, capital project audits and organizational efficiency. KU Operations supports KU's mission of learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor by providing the visible and behind-the-scenes services that make possible the university's academic and research missions.

KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities.

Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees and Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) award opportunities! Details available at: https://humanresources.ku.edu/tuition-assistance

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
Job Description
70% - Accounting:

• Complete complex accounting duties for Facilities, Planning, & Development Department (FPD) including all capital projects handled by FPD. Provide Operations accounting support to affiliates. Review and analyze journal ledger entries, transfer funds, monitor bond funds, and direct year-end closeout processes. Manage and analyze project budgets, funding, and expenses. Prepare, evaluate and review contracts, and contract addenda, for planning, design, construction management, and construction services. Audit large capital construction projects to recover and avoid costs.
• Monitor ongoing budget redesign efforts. Assist with annual Operations budget preparation and enter revenue and expense forecasts for each department in PBCS. Review budgets regularly and adjust before 4x8 and 8x4 meetings. Download reports including PBCS mismatches and the OAC Sources and Uses reports for departments. Enter adjustments in PBCS as needed.
• Reconcile funding issues with project managers, departments, and comptroller. Communicate with vendors and clients regarding contract documents, payments, and project balances. Prepare unit budget reports and facilitate departmental and unit budget development.
• Maximize department fee billing to meet budget demands. Monitor and process approved department expenses. Prepare financial reports, projections and analysis for upper-level administration and KU Operations financial reporting. Review monthly accounting budget reports with all KU Operations departments. Monitor Operations budget monthly and review with each department. Attend CFO and budget officer meetings.
• Lead special projects. Compile legislative report data. Research and document historical campus building construction funding.

15% - Supervisory:
Supervise and support accounting staff. Oversee daily activities and serve as a backup for team members when needed. Provide training and professional development opportunities to enhance team skills and knowledge. Identify areas for improvement and implement changes to streamline and update workflows. Conduct annual reviews and goal setting by leading annual performance reviews, setting clear goals, and providing constructive feedback to support professional growth, while maintaining ongoing communication through regular discussions about performance, offering guidance and support to ensure continuous improvement.

15% - Data Management/Processes:
Manage OAC and Maximo database accounting. Develop and direct procedures for invoicing and tracking payments and funding along with financial reports. Update and streamline processes to assist Business Operations staff. Identify needed modifications to databases to allow interface between systems and additional reporting capabilities. Enter PBCS forecasting/budget data.
Position Requirements

• Primarily sedentary work, involving sitting for extended periods.
• Occasional walking to different locations within the office or campus.
• Ability to lift and carry light objects, such as files or documents, if needed.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in accounting or a business-related field plus three years of professional experience managing a full range of accounting records OR High School diploma and 6 years of related experience.
2. Two years of experience using Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel) requiring advanced knowledge and usage as evidenced by application materials.
3. Experience in providing effective communication with a variety of business contacts both orally and in written form as demonstrated by previous work experience and application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Knowledge of the University of Kansas and/or State of Kansas purchasing policies and financial management programs, as demonstrated by work history.
2. Accounting experience in a design/construction organization.
3. Experience using a financial ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning System), such as Oracle Financials (FITC), Concur, etc, as evidenced by application materials.
4. Supervisory experience as evidenced by application materials.
5. Experience developing and managing budgets as evidenced by application materials.

Contact Information to Applicants
Whitney Remus
wjdcm@ku.edu
Additional Candidate Instruction
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume/CV.
• List of three (3) professional references.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Monday, March 10th and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

UPDATED 4/23/25 - Application review is ongoing with a recently increased salary and applicants will continue to be accepted until a satisfactory pool of candidates is collected.

#LI-MC1

Advertised Salary Range
Starting at $70,000
Application Review Begins
10-Mar-2025
Anticipated Start Date
28-Apr-2025
Primary Campus
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
FTE
1.0
Reg/Temp
Regular
FLSA Status
Nonexempt
Employee Class
U-Unclassified Professional Staff
Work Location Assignment
On-Site
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.