The Finance Professional 3 (FP3) position within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) supports the department’s mission of education, research and outreach. The incumbent will be assigned the areas of responsibility and accountability listed below. The incumbent excels at communication, is thorough, and is interested in efficient and innovative processes. This individual will take advantage of the ample opportunities for professional growth and knowledge acquisition that will be provided. This position works closely with the Finance Manager and three other accounting professionals in a collaborative setting.
This position is in-person, with flexibility to work from home two days per week. The expected salary range for this role is $72,000-$84,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
Duties/Responsibilities- 60% Financial Reporting/Approver and Grants Management
- Partner with Principal Investigators (PIs)/faculty to develop financial projections and adjust, as needed; meet with PIs as needed, at least monthly, regarding account status; analyze financial activity and prepare monthly financial reports.
- Communicate and coordinate with faculty and staff from multiple departments, colleges and central units, the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) and Sponsored Financial Reporting (SFR), to meet requirements and deadlines. Work with SPA and SFR with project renewals, no-cost extensions, re-budgeting and close-outs.
- Assist faculty with proposal budget planning: decipher funder requirements, and create tools for accurate and efficient proposal budget creation.
- When proposals are accepted, continue to work with SPA and agencies to set up the awards, which include a PeopleSoft Friendly budget, including updates within MnGEMS.
- Serve as department approver for sponsored and non-sponsored research accounts. Evaluate transactions for compliance with financial and regulatory requirements of the sponsor and University. Review and approve purchasing requisitions, vendor payments, including subcontract invoices, journal entries, re-budgeting and adjustment requests.
- Participate in continuing education on new policies and procedures. - 30% Effort and Payroll
- Compile and analyze data from varied sources to meet cost share and effort guidelines. Review, analyze and reconcile Effort Certification Reports. Provide recommendations to PIs on cost share and effort activities to ensure compliance. Liaison with faculty, research staff and other departments.
- Determine and implement best practices to assist faculty and other researchers with effort certification issues and questions.
- Review and approve PI summer salary distributions, affirming in line with effort commitments.
- Approve payroll appointments. Process retro distributions and distribution changes as needed. Assist faculty with payroll-related questions including encumbrances, expenditures, and costs for a variety of job classes. - 10% Other Duties
- Serve as backup for other accounting team members as needed.
- Provide backup assistance for the grant proposal submission process as needed.
- Participate in meetings, training sessions, and special projects as needed to contribute to the development, maintenance, and improvement of the Department and College.
Required Qualifications:
- BA/BS with a major in accounting, business administration, or a related field and four years professional accounting experience, or a combination of related education and work experience to total eight years.
- Certified Approver status, or the ability to pass the University of Minnesota Certified Approver exam within 12 months of hire.
- Accounting experience that includes forecasting, reporting, monitoring, and budgeting.
- Proficiency with Excel or similar office spreadsheet programs.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with the University of Minnesota Enterprise Financial System.
- Experience with HRMS (Human Resources Management System) systems.
- Experience with sponsored projects (auditing, accounting, or pre- or post-award project administration) in a higher education setting.
- Accounting experience in a higher education area with knowledge of administrative policies and procedures, budget analysis, forecasting, reporting and auditing within a large institution.
- Proven track record of building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external team members. Must have excellent communication skills, strong problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment, and balance multiple tasks under deadline pressures.
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