Financial Business Manager

Posting Details

Posting Detail Information

Working Title
Financial Business Manager

Position Location
Fort Collins, CO

Work Location
Position is fully in-office/in-person

Research Professional Position
No

Posting Number
202500270AP

Position Type
Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title
Prof/Indiv Contrib III

Number of Vacancies
1

Work Hours/Week
40

Proposed Annual Salary Range
$95,000 - $110,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

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Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on
03/24/2025

Description of Work Unit

The vision of Warner College of Natural Resources (WCNR) is to be a global leader in natural resource education, research, and outreach, enabling solutions to critical natural resource issues in Colorado and around the world. Warner College is at the forefront of research addressing the most pressing natural resource challenges at regional and global scales and educates new generations of natural resource professionals.

Position Summary

The Finance Business Manager position is responsible for: understanding various funding sources; working closely with the WCNR Senior Business Officer to manage daily, monthly, and annual budget and accounting functions for various fund types, which will include creating, properly coding, tracking, and reconciling $19+ million in budget and revenues across multiple fund types; ensuring compliance with Division, University, State and Federal policies and procedures; preparing and presenting financial reports to leadership; financial management of research and donor funding; policy improvements; providing thorough strategic business analysis and guidance for the Department Heads and the Senior Business Officer.

Independent judgment and analytical skills must be exercised to understand, interpret, and manage data, technical information, policies, procedures, federal uniform guidance, and overall university business operations. This position warrants a great deal of independent analysis and decision making to determine the best approach to achieve integrated business and research needs to meet the strategic vision of the Dean and in coordination with the mission and vision of WCNR. This position requires the skills and flexibility to interact effectively with a range of people, such as faculty, researchers, central business operations personnel, university administrators, college staff, and students.

The successful candidate will have a strong work ethic, be able to work independently as well as within a larger team, be willing to serve in a broad variety of roles as needed, and be dedicated to the mission of the college. The successful candidate will be dedicated to contributing to a healthy and collaborative work environment.

Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with high level relevant course work
• Three years of experience in a related field, which must include at least two years of progressive accounting or budget planning experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and the use of data mining tools
• Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Demonstrated high-level communication skills with the ability to communicate to all levels of an organization
• Strong organizational and complex problem-solving skills, follow-through, and attention to detail
• Ability to analyze and recommend effective systems of internal controls
• Demonstrated evidence of professional written and oral communication skills
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the time of hire; WCNR will not provide visa sponsorship for this position

Preferred Job Qualifications

• MBA with a concentration in finance, accounting or other related advanced degree
• CPA or CMA Professional certification
• Understanding of Fund Accounting and Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB)
• Analytical abilities, including the use of statistical techniques, financial modeling and data management
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and data mining tools
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-layered team environment, as well as autonomously
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to foster and work within culturally diverse communities
• Demonstrated experience providing exemplary customer service and/or prior customer service training
• Experience with strategic planning

Essential Duties

Job Duty Category
Accounting & Compliance

Duty/Responsibility

• Subject matter expert on University and Department(s) accounting structure
• Serve as fiscal officer on department accounts, reviewing and approving financial transactions while ensuring proper account and fund usage
• Recommend and implement college process improvements, ensuring that college documentation of said processes is updated and accurate on an ongoing basis
• Work with the WCNR Senior Business Officer to review, establish and document all financial operations and accounting policies and procedures for WCNR, in compliance with university, federal, and state rules
• Review accounting information and transactions to determine the proper use of accrual accounting and oversee entries and/or adjustments necessary for end of month and fiscal year end
• Skilled in University financial systems and the use of data mining and reporting tools
• Work with the financial operations team to maintain a log of annual renewals and follow up with account stewards on continued use/renewal and proactively ensure timely submission of requisition for purchase order
• Facilitate complex requisitions
• Oversight and accountability for following department and university policy and rules related to Accounts Payable, Travel, Property, Procurement, and Financial Procedure Instructions (FPI's)
• Facilitate understanding of donor intent for gifts associated with units/departments and ensure spending towards purpose
• Work with Principal Investigator's (PI's) to assist with budget management and compliance for grants

Percentage Of Time
35

Job Duty Category
Budget & Fiscal Strategies

Duty/Responsibility

• Provide ongoing oversight of sponsored projects within the College, ensuring College, University, State and Federal requirements are met
• Work directly with WCNR principal investigators and appropriate staff to manage sponsored project budgets
• Assist the WCNR Senior Business Officer with the annual budget
• Oversight and reconciliations for day-to-day data entry into CSU financial systems including deposits, transfers of funds, service billings, employee reimbursements, disbursement vouchers, internal orders, internal billings, etc.
• Prepare monthly account reconciliations for submission to WCNR Senior Business Officer
• Manage the fiscal year close and rollovers
• Analyze, forecast, and strategize departmental budgets in concert with other college and departmental staff; provide input on forecasts and strategies to appropriate personnel, including those at the college level as well as within the units
• Serve as backup when the WCNR Senior Business Officer is unavailable
• Work closely with the WCNR Senior Business Officer on primary accounting functions

Percentage Of Time
35

Job Duty Category
Reporting and Monitoring

Duty/Responsibility

• Provide monthly reports to account stewards responsible
• Hold monthly or quarterly budget meetings, or as needed, to review budgets and reports with the units and account stewards
• Oversee monthly gift fund reporting
• Participate in formulation of departmental policies, ensuring that fiscal practices are in compliance with university policies, and advise faculty, staff and students on their provisions
• Provide ad hoc reports as needed to facilitate business operations of the various units

Percentage Of Time
15

Job Duty Category
Supervision, Customer Service, and Special Projects

Duty/Responsibility

• Perform supervisory duties for the WCNR financial team
• Facilitate training on finance and relevant CSU financial systems
• Attend and participate in related WCNR financial team leadership
• Attend and participate in CAPAC (Campus Administrative Processing Advisory Council)
• Serve as a member on a WCNR and/or university committee, task force, etc.
• Participate in professional development opportunities
• Reflecting departmental and institutional values, participate in diversity initiatives to advance the Departments' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

Percentage Of Time
15

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than March 24, 2025 for full consideration at:

https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/157673

Mailed or emailed applications will not be accepted.

Upload each of the items below individually as a Word Document (.doc), PDF (.pdf), or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Please note that incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please remove social security numbers and birth dates from application materials. A complete application consists of:

• Statement of Qualifications (one-page letter addressing each qualification described in the announcement) uploaded in the 'Cover Letter' slot.
• Resume

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of Employment
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search Contact
Sabrina Broderick, [email protected]

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.