College Accountant

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee•Milwaukee, WI

About The Position

The College Accountant provides professional accounting, financial reporting, budget monitoring, and financial analysis support for the College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Reporting to the Divisional Finance Officer, the position serves as a financial resource to the Dean, Associate Deans, Department Chairs, and other College personnel. The College Accountant prepares and analyzes recurring and ad hoc financial reports; monitors budgets and financial activity; performs reconciliations; prepares accounting adjustments, costing allocations, payroll accounting adjustments, and journal entries; and assists with budget development, projections, and fiscal-year activities. The position reviews financial information for accuracy and completeness, researches discrepancies, recommends or initiates corrective action, and helps College leadership understand the financial status of College resources. The role works collaboratively with the CEAS Research Accountant and other College and University financial personnel, is cross-trained in research accounting, and provides backup support for sponsored-project financial activities as needed. The position supports financial reporting and analysis, budget monitoring and forecasting, accounting transactions and financial operations, and cross-functional projects. It also provides accounting guidance to College faculty and staff and helps maintain effective financial processes and internal controls. The role is part of UWM, a public research university that emphasizes access, research, diversity, and equitable opportunity.

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 related areas.
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 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 while collaborating 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 the College and its 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 College 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.
Assist in developing and improving financial reporting tools, processes, and documentation, and maintain support for accounting transactions, reconciliations, and reports.
Assist the Divisional Finance Officer with developing, monitoring, and managing 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 potential budget concerns, funding shortfalls, unusual variances, and opportunities to better use available resources.
Help College leadership understand budgets, reports, available resources, and the financial implications of operational decisions.
Support annual budget development, fiscal-year close, carryforward analysis, periodic financial planning, and tracking and analysis of College funding commitments and other 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 so 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 and assistance to College faculty and staff regarding transactions, reports, policies, and procedures.
Cross-train with the CEAS Research Accountant and provide backup for sponsored-project accounting, including routine grant financial reporting, reconciliations, accounting adjustments, and related transactions.
Collaborate with the Research Accountant to support consistent accounting practices across sponsored and non-sponsored College funds.
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 accounting, budgeting, and financial management duties as assigned.