Fin Pro 4 Supv-Fin Gnrlst

Position Overview

The senior accountant / finance professional supervisor provides professional accounting, analysis, financial services consultation for assigned complex, diverse, and high-volume financial portfolios. Portfolios include tuition revenue, state allocations and specials, foundation and endowments funds, internal and external sales, sponsored projects, grants, and indirect cost recovery (ICR) funds. The position is responsible for developing complex budgets, creating customized reporting, analyzing financial trends, preparing financial forecasts, reconciling, and approving financial transactions. Leveraging in-depth knowledge and expertise, the position provides financial consultation and reporting to the unit leadership, faculty, principal investigators (PIs), and staff.

The senior accountant / finance professional supervisor responsibilities include supervisory and oversight for multiple units. In partnership with FSO management the senior finance professional is responsible for staff onboarding, training, delegation for work, leading search committees, and ensures issue resolution and/or escalation. Civil Service classified finance professionals report to this supervisory position.

The senior account / finance professional supervisor supports one of CEHD's larger more complex portfolios and supervises 1-4 finance professional positions. Unit assignments and direct reports are subject to change based on evolving needs, structure, and finance portfolio of the college.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.

Job Responsibilities

Senior Finance Professional (30%)

College Process Resource

• Provide oversight of the financial operations clustered within CEHD (Purchasing, Contracting, JEs, POs/Procurement, Billing, Deposits, EFS access, approval set-up, and ongoing maintenance).
• Department Card Access (DCA) coordinator (University defined role) for assigned units across RRC/college.
• Provide oversight, continuous process improvement of college-wide business processes; serve as a college-wide resource for process and procedure interpretation.
• Lead finance-related initiatives that have an overall impact on individual units and/or college-wide.
• Develop and conduct initial and continuing training related to assigned college-wide business process oversight for: finance professionals, department administrators, preparers, initiators, processors, faculty and staff across the college.
• Attend college and university-wide meetings; participate in committees and working groups as assigned.

Supervise, Delegate, Train, Mentor, Evaluate/Manage Performance

• Supervise professional staff; authority to perform or to effectively recommend the following actions: hire, transfer, suspend, promote, discharge, assign work, reward, discipline, direct the work of other employees.
• Meet regularly with direct reports to communicate policy and/or procedural changes, delegate work and set expectations; facilitate transparent communication and foster a continuous learning environment.
• Write and deliver annual performance reviews; provide ongoing performance recognition and feedback; foster an environment that encourages professional growth and development.
• Chair search committees, provide input, and make consultative staffing/hiring decisions as new positions are created and/or current positions are vacated.

Sponsored Project, Post-Award Accountant (25%)

• Develop budgets and/or projections for sponsored projects grant proposal awards, renewals, and no-cost extensions, working closely with the pre-award grant coordinators and Principal Investigators (PIs)/researchers to ensure effective pre- and post-award coordination and management of sponsored projects.
• Provide fiscal management and monitoring of sponsored project activity and balances in compliance with university and regulatory agency policies and procedures.
• Consult with and develop partnerships with Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), Sponsored Financial Reporting (SFR), and external sponsors to manage sub-awards, reconcile/resolve concerns, and close out awards.
• Coordinate and facilitate grant kick-off/renewals, ongoing, and routine meetings with PIs, and department administrators to monitor financial activity, reconcile, and resolve discrepancies/concerns.
• Coordinate effort certification, including managing and monitoring effort certification process, investigating budgetary issues, preparing payroll distribution changes, cost transfers, correcting entries in advance of deadlines.
• As appointed, serve as a Certified Approver (CA) for sponsored transactions for assigned units.

Budget and Financial Management (25%)

• Initiate, lead, and facilitate budget meeting discussions.
• Lead assigned unit annual budget and fiscal year close processes. Facilitate conversations and provide guidance to unit leadership regarding financial position and potential funding gaps.
• Develop and enter the budget into college budgeting tools and into the enterprise financial system. Complete required reporting and fiscal year closing procedures.
• Consult with business managers and department administrators in the development of external/internal sales business plans, billing rates, and contracts.
• Maintain chart of accounts for assigned units, ensure alignment with university policy and collegiate strategies.
• Ensure accuracy of personnel and payroll transactions through payroll verification/reconciliation, including consistency with appointment source documentation and appropriateness of funding source.

Reporting and Analysis (20%)

• Prepare complex, comprehensive, customized, routine, and ad hoc reporting. Present reports and consult with a variety of stakeholders; interpret data, share observations, and make recommendations.
• Perform budget-to-actual analysis. Analyze financial data for anomalies, identify gaps in revenue and/or expenses, investigate and recommend solutions.
• Develop and present projections and trending to inform, consult, and advise stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS plus at least five years of professional work experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal nine years.
• Demonstrated experience in accounting, fund accounting, budget development, reconciliation, ad-hoc reporting.
• Demonstrated experience with post award grant management.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.

Preferred Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in accounting, finance, business, economics, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience in a higher education and/or grant/research organization/agency; sponsored research and/or grant management.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience; to include direct supervision, onboarding, training, and performance evaluation of full-time professional finance and accounting staff.
• Experience analyzing financial data, projections, forecasting, pre and/or post grant management, auditing, and monitoring complex budgets and contracts.
• Advanced computer skills including spreadsheet development and maintenance using Excel and web database reporting software systems.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage priorities, coordinate multiple assignments simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Experience delivering high level customer service, including proactive communication, issued identification and solutions, and ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Certified Approver (University of Minnesota specific credential, specific training/education offered once in the position).

Department Overview

The Financial Services Office (FSO) is a centralized administrative support unit consisting of 20 professional staff within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). CEHD includes seven academic departments, three college-wide research centers, and multiple administrative and student support units.

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: The salary range for this position is $85,000-$100,000. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).