Accountant II

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

8d•$60,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health is seeking an independently functioning yet team-oriented individual to provide financial support for program managers and the director. This role will manage financial aspects of federal and state grants, a fee-for-service program, and smaller funds. The position serves as a liaison to the School of Medicine and Public Health and campus, ensuring compliance with policies and providing expertise in financial reporting, budget management, invoicing, transaction tracking, travel and expense reimbursement, purchasing, event payments/refunds, and gift processing. The Accountant II performs highly responsible financial tasks under general supervision, interacting with a diverse range of people to support the mission of providing programming, technical assistance, and funding to healthcare providers across the state. This role executes and guides financial and accounting transactions across multiple finance functional areas, including creating and reviewing transactions, preparing financial reports, and managing budgets. The incumbent participates in daily financial operations to ensure accuracy and guides other staff as needed. The position also recommends and implements fiscal policies and assists in developing and implementing new systems and processes to enhance customer service, efficiency, and internal controls, requiring proficiency with online applications and a willingness to learn.

Requirements

At least 2 years of demonstrated experience in accounting, bookkeeping, or financial duties such as budgeting, financial projections, preparing reconciliations, journal entries, and more complex financial reporting.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or Smartsheets, including complex formulas and pivot tables to create financial dashboards.
Strong oral & written communication skills to explain and present complex financial data and information through a variety of reports to key stakeholders such as Principle Investigators, Program, and Department leadership.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload, effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines, and independently follow-through on tasks unsupervised.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to manage complex budgets and financial transactions.
A willingness and interest in investigating and analyzing invoices, charges, and payments to identify discrepancies and facilitate a timely resolution.
Ability to interpret and apply financial regulations and compliance policies.
Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to accuracy and integrity in financial reporting.
Ability to work directly with high level professionals in healthcare facilities, and engage in an empathetic manner to various cultural settings (rural and small town, tribal, urban, etc).

Nice To Haves

Experience in a highly regulated environment such as a university or government organization. Two or more years of experience in a relevant sector is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with the financial management of grants and complex accounting tasks related to award management. Two or more years of experience in this work is preferred.
Experience and expertise with online enterprise applications, like Workday, is strongly preferred.
Experience working with complex automated accounting systems and processes, including databases and queries, is preferred.
Experience and expertise with online communication tools, like Zoom and Teams (both video conferencing and chat).

Responsibilities

Organizes, prepares, and updates financial statements, monthly and year-end journal entries, accounts, ledgers, and reports for various financial needs within an automated financial system to ensure accurate recording and reporting of financial transactions
Prepares and analyzes financial data, reports and records, identifies discrepancies, investigates, recommends, and implements solutions as needed
Provides and prepares budgets and projections based on existing data and established policies and procedures
Develops and maintains automated financial systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity
Answers questions and provides accounting related information to internal and external stakeholders according to established policies and procedures
Assists with accounting and reviewing reconciliations, journal entries, schedules, and reports
Prepares and/or approves financial transactions and payments