Accounting Operations Program Manager

University of Colorado•Hybrid, CO

3d•$67,133 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Colorado Anschutz Finance Office is seeking a collaborative, analytical, and customer-focused accounting professional to provide advanced technical accounting leadership and oversee key accounting operations. The Program Manager serves as a subject matter expert and leads campus accounting support functions, including chartfield governance; review and approval of complex accounting transactions; selected financial reporting, reconciliations, and close activities; and compliance with GAAP, GASB requirements, university policies, and internal controls. The role advises campus departments, improves service through training and process improvement, and supervises accounting staff. The position manages day-to-day Finance Office accounting operations, develops and implements operational workflows, policies, and processes, and independently supervises the accounting operations team. In collaboration with the Assistant Director, the role makes informed recommendations to leadership and translates departmental strategy into long- and short-term accounting operations objectives. The position is hybrid, with two days per week on campus and in-person attendance as needed for meetings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a directly related field from an accredited institution; a combination of education and related technical, military, or paraprofessional experience may substitute year for year.
Five years of professional accounting experience, including financial reconciliations, financial analysis and reporting, journal-entry review, complex problem resolution, and month-end and fiscal year-end close activities.
One year of professional experience supervising employees, including assigning and reviewing work, coaching staff, and supporting performance and professional development.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, lookup functions, data analysis, and reporting.
Advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, fund accounting, Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements, financial reporting, and internal controls.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including identifying trends, investigating discrepancies, assessing risk, and resolving complex financial issues.
Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing, to financial and non-financial audiences.
Ability to build collaborative working relationships with employees and stakeholders at all institutional levels.
Responsive, solutions-oriented customer service that balances stakeholder needs with accounting standards, university policy, and internal-control requirements.
Sound judgment, discretion, accountability, and ability to make well-supported decisions in technically complex areas.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and meet deadlines.
Ability to learn and effectively use new software, systems, reporting tools, and business processes.
Commitment to continuous improvement, responsible technology use, and an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful workplace.
Legal authorization to work in the United States without current or future work visa sponsorship or employment authorization sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Professional accounting experience in higher education, government, the public sector, or another complex organization.
Experience with an enterprise resource planning system such as PeopleSoft, Workday, Oracle, SAP, or a comparable financial system.
Experience using financial reporting, business intelligence, or data analytics tools.
Experience identifying and implementing process improvements, strengthened controls, or workflow automation.
Experience providing consultative financial guidance and customer support to diverse stakeholder groups.
Prior experience or familiarity with University of Colorado financial systems, reporting tools, and administrative policies.

Responsibilities

Lead campus accounting support, providing accounting guidance, issue resolution, stakeholder consultation, and service delivery.
Review and approve complex accounting transactions, journal entries, chartfield requests, and organizational structure changes for compliance with accounting standards, university policies, and internal controls.
Manage financial reporting, reconciliations, and analysis, investigate discrepancies, resolve complex accounting issues, monitor financial activity, and maintain accurate financial records.
Coordinate and perform month-end, quarter-end, and fiscal year-end close activities, including account analysis, accrual review, financial reporting, sales tax reporting, and resolution of outstanding items.
Provide technical accounting expertise and consultative support to campus departments, interpret accounting requirements, advise on financial matters, and deliver training.
Supervise and develop accounting staff through coaching, work prioritization, performance management, quality review, and professional development support.
Establish accounting support policies, processes, and objectives, and make data-informed recommendations to leadership.
Oversee chartfield governance, including review and approval of setup and maintenance requests processed by accounting staff.
Manage the accounting operations team, including hiring, firing, advancement, promotion, performance management, and staff development.
Identify and implement improvements to accounting processes, controls, service delivery, reporting, technology use, and automation.
Identify resource or policy gaps and develop or update policies and resources for complex scenarios involving accounts receivable, general ledger updates, funding deficits, reorganizations and department-node changes, financial-statement balances, and payroll expense updates.
Develop and facilitate training materials for the accounting operations team and campus departments.