University of Wisconsin System Administration

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Position Title:

Financial Administration Accountant

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Accountant III

Job Duties:

The performance in this position requires demonstrated ability to apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) reporting standards, familiarity with Universities of Wisconsin and State of Wisconsin fiscal rules, policies and procedures and participation in the Universities of Wisconsin financial decision making.

This Financial Administration Accountant position would include responsibility for the following types of activity:

Key Job Responsibilities:

Leads and executes the development, organization, preparation, and updating of complex financial statements, journals, accounts, ledgers, and reports for various financial needs within an automated financial system to ensure accurate recording and reporting of financial transactions.

• Analyze financial data and compile other financial information to prepare GAAP based accounting entries for monthly and annual financial close process and annual financial reporting.
• Develop queries that will extract data from financial systems and other databases for financial analysis and reporting.
• Direct and design the compilation of data and preparation for statutorily required reports, external audit support documentation and annual survey requests.
• Prepare other internal and external reports pertaining to surveys, questionnaires, and ad-hoc reporting requested by the Financial Reporting Director, Senior Associate Vice President – Office of Finance, and Vice President of Finance and Administration, and universities.

Coordinates the development, implementation and communication of system-wide financial measures, procedures and related reporting to internal and external stakeholders

• Provide leadership in developing and interpreting system-wide policies that pertain to the financial requirements and management of federal and non-federal grants, contracts, and financial aid programs.
• Interpret and maintain current knowledge of the Federal Uniform Guidance pertaining to federal grants financial requirements such as general administrative, allowable costs, cash management, internal controls, indirect cost rate calculations, and audit requirements.
• Act as liaison between the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) auditors and UWs campus staff for the financial audits. Advocate on the behalf of universities to resolve audit issues.
• Develop and apply system-wide policies and reporting pertaining to the composite fringe benefit rate calculation used by UWs campuses.
• Compile and analyze necessary financial data from financial systems and other sources to prepare facility and administrative indirect cost rate proposals.
• Provide campus staff guidance for the tax reporting process and coordination of corrections with campuses and recipients.

Perform other duties as assigned by Finance Administration leadership.

Department

The Department of Financial Administration has the primary responsibility for the fiscal integrity of the Universities of Wisconsin. It is expected to provide a financial environment that is secure, encourages the accomplishment of academic missions, provides timely and accurate information, and assists all levels of management in making prudent financial decisions.

Financial Administration has day-to-day operating and oversight responsibility for specific areas of system-wide financial management and related financial and budget controls, and tax reporting. In addition, the Financial Reporting sub-unit within Financial Administration prepares the Annual Financial Report of the Universities of Wisconsin (UWs) as well as many other financial reports requested by parties both internal and external to the UWs.

Compensation

The Financial Administration Accountant (job profile: Accountant III) is a full-time, salaried (exempt), academic staff position. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $79,000- $89,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or related field of study from an accredited institution
• Three or more years of progressively responsible financial management experience including accounting, financial reporting and budgeting.
• Solid understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Strong and demonstrated understanding of financial operations and reporting.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across an organization at all levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA – Certified Public Accountant is highly desirable.
• Knowledge and experience applying GAAP and GASB based accounting practices in the preparation of financial statements.
• Knowledge of financial requirements relating to federal and non-federal grants, contracts, and financial aid programs.
• Familiarity with IRS tax reporting.
• Familiarity with the budget and legislative process within state government and/or higher education.
• Knowledge and experience using accounting systems and databases as well as the ability to query and compile financial data from the systems.
• Proficiency with advanced Excel functions and ability to create complex spreadsheets and reports.
• Effective organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently.
• Effective professional oral, written and interpersonal communication skills

Application Deadline

Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through October 19, 2025. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.

To receive full consideration, interested applicants are required to apply online and provide a Resume (PDF Format) and Cover letter addressing your experience and education as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualifications (PDF Format).

Contact Information:

Questions may be addressed to HR Generalist, angie.koppen@uwss.wisconsin.edu

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

Inclusive Excellence is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for Universities of Wisconsin. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the Universities of Wisconsin community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, community service, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

Universities of Wisconsin fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who serve the State of Wisconsin and the public good.

Special Notes

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting uwshr@wisconsin.edu.

The Universities of Wisconsin is required to conduct a criminal background and sexual harassment check for the selected finalist prior to employment.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on, before, or after the effective date of appointment.

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).

Benefits Information

Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Faculty, Academic Staff & Limited Appointees or University Staff Please see this link for total compensation information: Universities of Wisconsin Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to provide you with total compensation information.

Application Instructions

To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through the closing date. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.

Clery Act information

The Universities of Wisconsin provides statistics on campus crime in its Annual Security Report. For more information on university campus statistics see https://www.wisconsin.edu/compliance/clery/.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

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