Finance Professional 3 or 4

This is being cross posted with a Finance Analyst 1 position, Job Opening 376911. We will hire a total of 2 people. The selected finalist would then be hired into the respective position for which they meet the qualifications.

This position is part of the College of Science and Engineering Shared Services Team (SST). SST is a team of administrative and financial professionals who support units across the College of Science and Engineering. As a member of SST, this individual will have a variety of assignments that will change over time to meet the College's evolving needs. This is a hybrid position, neither fully remote nor fully on-campus. (The general expectation will be to work on campus at least 3 days per week.)
This position may be filled at the level of Fin Pro 4 or Fin Pro 3. The position level and starting salary range are determined by the chosen candidate's qualifications, background and experience. To serve at the Fin Pro 4 level, a candidate must be demonstrably ready to serve in informal leadership roles such as mentoring other staff.

Location and Work Environment:

• Hybrid
• This position will work on the University of Minnesota - East Bank campus at least 3 days a week.

Work Schedule:

• Monday-Friday, totaling 40 hours per week

Primary Responsibilities (Fin Pro 4):

Typical position responsibilities may include:

• Financial: 65% (Non-sponsored and sponsored accounting)
  • Complete a variety of accounting functions, which may include capitalizing assets; reconciling account strings; transferring funds; setting up new accounts and/or grants; monitoring fund balances and preparing status reports. Activities may involve data from multiple departments or colleges.
  • Manage accounting of a local unit's sponsored and non-sponsored accounts. Develop and maintain local chart of accounts structure.
  • Advise managers and staff on proper accounting procedures in the purchase, sale or exchange of goods and services; recommend improvements in local practices.
  • Review and approve financial transactions, perform monthly reconciliation, and prepare journal vouchers as needed.
  • Serve as budget manager for a local unit; lead annual budget-development process for a local unit. Enter budgets and position budgets into EFS.
  • Manage finances for internal and external sales activities of a local unit.
  • Create custom financial reports, including projections for multiple funding types. Assist Administrator/PIs in report interpretation and identify trends and possible solutions. Assist grant leadership and faculty to develop financial plans. Forecast and analyze areas of business in departments. Develop comprehensive funds picture for department to include non-sponsored and sponsored activities. Assist units with external reporting requirements.
  • Monitor UMF foundation accounts; process UMF transfers as needed.
  • Manage accounting for the entire life cycle of assigned sponsored projects.
  • Manage accounting of cost share funds per requirements of cost share sources.
  • Manage sponsored re-budgeting requests. Suggest options to recalibrate budgets that are outside of compliance.
  • Manage effort certification of a local unit.
• Pre-award Grants Management Support: 15%
  • Support PIs and project managers in grant proposal development. Partner with PIs to ensure timely submission of proposals.
  • Partner with PIs and/or project managers to develop a budget that is in line with funding opportunity, University guidelines, and project needs.
  • Serve as primary administrative contact for grant proposal submissions.
• Leadership: 10%
  • Provide expert guidance to less experienced financial staff colleagues.
  • Serve, formally or informally, as a mentor (non-supervisory) to new and/or junior financial staff colleagues in CSE.
• Administration - Other: 10%
  • Build relationships with other CSE/University departments and staff.
  • Participate in professional development opportunities and special projects that contribute to the ongoing improvement of units and the college. Attend training, meetings and workshops to keep current on changing policies and procedures.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Primary Responsibilities (Fin Pro 3):

Typical position responsibilities may include:

• Financial: 75% (Non-sponsored and sponsored accounting)
  • Complete a variety of accounting functions, which may include capitalizing assets; reconciling account strings; transferring funds; setting up new accounts and/or grants; monitoring fund balances and preparing status reports. Activities may involve data from multiple departments or colleges.
  • Manage accounting of a local unit's sponsored and non-sponsored accounts. Develop and maintain local chart of accounts structure.
  • Advise managers and staff on proper accounting procedures in the purchase, sale or exchange of goods and services. Attend departmental staff meetings as necessary.
  • Review and approve financial transactions, perform monthly reconciliation, and prepare journal vouchers as needed.
  • Serve as budget manager for a local unit; lead annual budget-development process for a local unit. Enter budgets and position budgets into EFS.
  • Manage and approve employee travel/expense reimbursements.
  • Manage finances for internal and external sales activities of a local unit.
  • Oversee local payroll processes to ensure accuracy and compliance with policy.
  • Create monthly financial reports, including projections for multiple funding types. Assist Administrator/PIs in report interpretation and identify trends and possible solutions. Assist grant leadership and faculty to develop financial plans. Forecast and analyze areas of business in departments. Develop comprehensive funds picture for department to include non-sponsored and sponsored activities. Assist units with external reporting requirements.
  • Upload scholarships to the scholarship automation system and track scholarship disbursements.
  • Monitor UMF foundation accounts; process UMF transfers as needed.
  • Provide primary accounting support for the entire life cycle of assigned sponsored projects. Maintain departmental files for project awards with supporting documentation and grant correspondence.
  • Analyze and identify projected budget and revenue shortfalls, personnel commitments, pending fixed-price transfers, and other grant related issues.
  • Manage accounting of cost share funds per requirements of cost share sources.
  • Manage sponsored re-budgeting requests. Suggest options to recalibrate budgets that are outside of compliance.
  • Manage effort certification of a local unit.
  • Coordinate close-out of projects.
• Pre-award Grants Management Support: 15%
  • Support PIs and project managers in grant proposal development. Meet with PIs to review proposal guidelines and deadlines and to set timelines for review and submission.
  • Work with PIs and/or project managers to develop a budget that is in line with funding opportunity, University guidelines, and project needs.
  • Draft budget justifications and support PIs and project managers in writing compelling, compliant justifications.
  • Prepare and edit other administrative documents.
  • Submit proposals through application systems and University approvals.
  • Work with Grant Administration Team at UMN Sponsored Projects Administration on all corrections to proposals.
  • Facilitate submission of collaborative grant proposals within and across departments.
• Administration - Other: 10%
  • Build relationships with other CSE/University departments and staff.
  • Participate in professional development opportunities and special projects that contribute to the ongoing improvement of units and the college. Attend training, meetings and workshops to keep current on changing policies and procedures.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications (Fin Pro 4):

• BA/BS Degree plus five years of related experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience to equal nine years
• Demonstrated experience in both pre-award and post-award grant accounting
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in informal leadership roles.
• UMN Certified Approver

Required Qualifications (Fin Pro 3):

• BA/BS Degree plus four years of related experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience to equal eight years
• Prior experience in university administration, including university financial roles
• Demonstrated experience in either pre-award or post-award grant accounting
• UMN Certified Approver (or ability to become a CA within 3 months)

Preferred Qualifications (All Levels):

• Knowledge of and experience with University financial policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of and experience with University human resource policies and procedures.
• Experience with the UMN budgeting process and budget entry.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and work both independently and as part of a team.
• High level of analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within and outside of the unit and with all levels of management.

About the Department

The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) is ranked among the top engineering and science academic programs in the country. The college includes 12 academic departments offering a wide range of degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. For more information about the College of Science and Engineering Office of the Dean, visit https://cse.umn.edu/.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: Fin Pro 4 ($43.25 - $50.50 per hour) or Fin Pro 3 (36.54 - $44.80 per hour); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

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

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

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 jobcentr@umn.edu.