Accountant II

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee•Milwaukee, WI

6d•$70,000 - $80,000

About The Position

The Accountant II provides professional accounting, financial reporting, budget monitoring, and financial analysis support for the Lubar College of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Reporting to the Divisional Finance Officer, the position serves as a financial resource to College leadership and personnel. It monitors financial activities across program, gift, and grant funds and works collaboratively with financial personnel across the College and University. The Accountant prepares recurring and ad hoc reports, monitors budgets and financial activity, performs reconciliations, prepares accounting adjustments, costing allocations, payroll accounting adjustments, and journal entries, and supports budget development, projections, and fiscal-year activities. The role reviews financial information for accuracy and completeness, investigates discrepancies, recommends or initiates corrective action, and helps College leadership understand the financial status of College resources. The role’s primary duties are financial reporting, analysis, and reconciliation (35%); budget monitoring, planning, and forecasting (25%); accounting transactions and financial operations (30%); and gift financial support and special projects (10%).

Requirements

Associate degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least two years of professional experience in accounting, budgeting, financial management, sponsored-project administration, or a related area.
At least one year of experience preparing, reviewing, or analyzing financial reports and financial data.
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and standard accounting practices.
Ability to analyze financial information, identify discrepancies and trends, and develop appropriate recommendations.
Ability to prepare accurate financial reports, reconciliations, journal entries, and other accounting documentation.
Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities and meet recurring financial-report deadlines.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Ability to interpret and apply financial policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate financial information clearly to faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively as part of a financial management team.
Strong customer-service, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
Two years of professional accounting, budgeting, or financial management experience in higher education, government, nonprofit, or a similarly complex organization.
Two years of experience preparing budgets, financial forecasts, budget-to-actual analyses, or financial projections.
Two years of experience performing account reconciliations and preparing accounting transactions such as journal entries, payroll accounting adjustments, or costing allocations.
Two years of experience using enterprise financial systems and advanced spreadsheet or data-analysis tools, such as Workday, Microsoft Excel, Power BI, or similar systems.

Responsibilities

Prepare and distribute recurring monthly financial reports for College departments and programs.
Analyze financial activity, balances, commitments, and trends and communicate significant findings to the Divisional Finance Officer and appropriate College leadership.
Reconcile accounts, financial transactions, and supporting records to ensure financial information is accurate and complete.
Research discrepancies, unusual transactions, accounting errors, and other financial issues; determine or recommend corrective action.
Prepare ad hoc financial reports and analyses for College decision-makers.
Help develop and improve financial reporting tools, processes, and documentation, and maintain documentation supporting transactions, reconciliations, and reports.
Assist with development, monitoring, and management of College and departmental budgets.
Monitor budget-to-actual results, available balances, commitments, and spending patterns throughout the fiscal year.
Prepare projections and forecasts of revenues, expenditures, payroll, and fund balances; identify and communicate budget concerns, variances, funding shortfalls, or opportunities.
Help College leadership understand budgets, reports, resources, and the financial implications of operational decisions.
Support annual budget development, fiscal-year close, carryforward analysis, periodic financial planning, and tracking of funding commitments and financial obligations.
Prepare and process journal entries, accounting corrections, transfers, and other financial transactions in accordance with University policies and procedures.
Prepare costing allocations and payroll accounting adjustments to ensure salary and fringe benefit expenses are charged appropriately.
Review financial transactions and accounting classifications for accuracy, appropriate funding, and compliance with University policies and procedures.
Research and resolve accounting, funding, payroll, and financial-system issues with College and University personnel.
Assist with month-end, year-end, and other periodic accounting activities and support effective financial processes and internal controls.
Provide accounting guidance to College faculty and staff regarding financial transactions, reports, policies, and procedures.
Provide gift-fund accounting support, including routine financial reporting, monthly Foundation billing, reconciliations, adjustments, and related transactions.
Participate in financial initiatives, system implementations, process improvements, and special projects.
Develop documentation and provide guidance or training to College personnel on financial processes and systems.
Perform other assigned accounting, budgeting, and financial management duties.