Financial Accountant

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Financial Accountant to join our team! UCCS offers a diverse and inclusive learning environment that fosters innovation, growth, and the holistic development of its students. The work location for this position is hybrid. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery--a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary Range: $51,000 - $65,800 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications.

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education: Avail nine waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

This position is responsible for providing accounting services to Auxiliary Services departments including but not limited to: Dining & Hospitality Services, Campus Store, University Center and Event Services, Conference Services, Copy Center, Residential Life and Housing, Campus Recreation, Wellness Center, Counseling, Copy Center, and Family Development Center. The accounting support provided should follow established internal controls, be in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and comply with all Federal, State, Local and University fiscal rules and regulations.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

ACCOUNTING

• Maintains and applies knowledge of current CU policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Provides student assistants with accounting guidance for invoice coding and processing daily cash ups to record activity from the POS systems for Campus Store, Dining & Hospitality Services, and University Center; completes the daily cash ups when needed.
• Processes daily cash ups for the Family Development Center while analyzing the transactions to ensure proper accrual accounting procedures are followed.
• Works closely with Auxiliary Service departments and Auxiliary Accounting staff to ensure accounting processes are efficient and effective while in compliance with GAAP/GASB.
• Reconciles and troubleshoots cash-ups as needed to ensure they are accurate, complete, and balanced.
• Provides journal entry review and approval in PeopleSoft for daily cash-ups submitted by student assistants.
• Prepare supporting schedules to record monthly Cost of Goods Sold and inventories, and for Inventory reconciliation analysis.
• Assist Finance and Accounting Manager with month-end/year-end close and posting of financial information to ensure accuracy of accounting records.
• Assist Finance and Accounting Manager with reconciliation of revenue, expense, asset, liability, and clearing accounts in the general ledger, and prepare adjusting entries as required.
• Reviews, along with Auxiliary Services staff and Auxiliary Accounting staff, all relevant SpeedTypes and accounts periodically to ensure proper classification in PeopleSoft.
• Maintains internal forms to collect information required for financial reporting.
• Prepares and processes journal entries of the following nature: adjusting journal entries (usually to correct an error), recording interdepartmental transactions for purchases of auxiliary goods and services, to write-off damaged, spoiled, and obsolete inventory, to record accruals and other period end adjustments.
• Work closely with Auxiliary Accounting staff to resolve issues related to accounting and financial reporting processes.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND RECEIVABLE

• Verifies, classifies/allocates, and monitors the recording of invoices and credit memos from vendors in PeopleSoft or Marketplace.
• Processes payment and refunds as needed through Marketplace or PeopleSoft
• Reconciles A/P balances to vendor statements and assists in collection of credit balances.
• Reconciles various A/R balances monthly to ensure accuracy and collection.
• Collaborate with Procurement Services and Auxiliary services departments, as assigned, to monitor the status of existing Purchase Orders and set up new or closing Purchase Orders as needed.
• Initiates and monitors the setup of new vendors and updates information for existing vendors.
• Provide analysis to the Auxiliary Services departments, as assigned, to determine the need for changes to existing Purchase Orders and the initial amounts needed for new Purchase Orders.

OTHER

• Cash handling - counting/verifying deposits, processes change orders for Auxiliary Services departments, audit the safe daily, ordering cash and supplies.
• Maintains and stores equipment for Campus Store and DHS - checking in/out clovers, iPhones, etc.
• Assists with implementation of internal controls over cash handling and asset management, assist department with cash handling training as needed.
• Reconciles and remits sales taxes collected to the proper taxing authorities.
• Assists with the monitoring and training of student assistants to ensure all assignments are accurate, complete, and performed in a timely manner.
• Develop strong relationships with Auxiliary Services personnel, vendors, University departments and personnel
• Establishes and monitors the filing system in accordance with Records Retention policy.
• Monitors effectiveness and efficiency of existing processes and procedures. Offer suggestions to improve processes and implement, as directed.
• Assists in the development and implementation of new processes and procedures for new business and accounting processes.
• Become familiar with a variety of departmental software programs to review financial reports and reconcile accounts to PeopleSoft general ledger. Software programs include but are not limited to dining, housing, retail, campus cards, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by: April 6, 2025.

• Potential interview dates: April 9, 2025 - April 18, 2025.

• Potential start date: May 1, 2025.

All employees of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) are required to complete training on policies and procedures administered by the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), under the supervision of the Associate Vice Chancellor of Institutional Equity/Title IX Coordinator. Required training includes: understanding and reporting conduct prohibited by the sexual misconduct, protected class nondiscrimination, and conflicts of interest in cases of amorous relationships policies, related retaliation, and compliance with accommodations regarding disability, pregnancy or related conditions, and religion. All employees are also designated as "responsible employees" and are required to report conduct prohibited under these policies, and student disclosures of pregnancy or related conditions directly to the OIE and to provide OIE's contact information to any student disclosing pregnancy or related conditions. More information is available at: Policies and Resolution Procedures | Office of Institutional Equity (uccs.edu).

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, or related field (substitution: Associate's degree and two years of professional bookkeeping/accounting experience OR four years of professional bookkeeping/accounting) is required.
• Experience with Internal Controls, AP, and Inventory/COGS is highly desirable.
• Experience in a retail environment, specifically a university bookstore or food industry is preferred.

UCCS is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.