Accountant

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This Accountant III position performs complex accounting duties, prepares financial and statistical reports, delivers training to others, develops and/or manages complex budgets, and develops and documents controls for accounting systems to ensure the accurate recording and reporting of the business unit's financial transactions. The role may also lead and be a resource for others in their department/unit. The position requires a minimum of 3 days per week onsite at a designated campus work location (HSLC), with some work performed remotely. The role is within the School of Medicine and Public Health, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR), Central Administration. Established in 2007, the UW–Madison ICTR provides training, funding, and services to help clinical and translational researchers grow their careers and increase their impact. ICTR connects researchers with resources to increase efficiency and effectiveness, shortening the time between discovery and clinical/community impact. ICTR is based at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) and is a robust, multidirectional partnership with other UW–Madison Schools and the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute. It is supported by grant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Wisconsin Partnership Program, and other sources. The Accountant will join a highly collaborative fiscal and grants management team responsible for managing a complex research administration infrastructure, including pre and post award activities, training awards, degree programs, pilot research grants, revenue generating services, purchasing and payments, contracts, internal and external grant reporting, and compliance. The position will contribute to financial management activities such as managing and reconciling budgets, preparing and analyzing financial reports, facilitating purchases and agreements, preparing and approving transactions, and interpreting policies and guidance. The Accountant will work with faculty and staff across ICTR programs, partnering departments, and ICTR awardees to ensure strong stewardship of funds and adherence to funder and UW policies and requirements. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, and service-oriented, thriving in a fast-paced, complex environment.

Requirements

Minimum 2 years of work experience in accounting or financial management, such as budgeting, financial projections, preparing reconciliations, and financial reporting.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Smartsheets, or Google Sheets, including complex formulas and pivot tables to create financial dashboards.
Experience in a highly regulated environment such as a university or government organization.

Nice To Haves

Experience with post-award management of grants and complex accounting tasks related to award management.
Experience with Workday or other systems used in higher education for financial management.

Responsibilities

Monitors automated financial systems, develops, and documents controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity
Performs complex accounting and auditing reconciliations, journal entries, schedules, and reports
Develops and manages complex work unit budgets, analyzing funding sources, operational needs, budget trends, and financial commitments
Prepares and/or approves financial transactions and payments
Forecasts budget balances and recommends corrective action as needed
Answers questions and provides accounting related information to internal and external stakeholders according to established policies and procedures
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
Facilitates trainings and provides financial guidance to management and staff
Prepares and analyzes financial reports, data and records, identifies discrepancies, investigates, and recommends solutions as needed