Utility & Project Accounting Specialist

Colorado Mesa University•Grand Junction, CO

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Utility and Project Accounting Specialist provides comprehensive financial, accounting, compliance, reporting, and administrative support for University utility operations and capital project activities within Facilities Services. This position serves a dual role with responsibility for both utility accounting and management functions and project accounting and contract administration functions. The position supports utility budgeting, billing, metering, energy reporting, regulatory compliance, and vendor management while also providing financial oversight and accounting support for capital construction, controlled maintenance, and deferred maintenance projects. Working closely with Facilities Management, Procurement Services, contractors, consultants, utility providers, and University stakeholders, this position ensures accurate financial management, regulatory compliance, timely payment processing, contract administration, audit readiness, and reporting across all assigned utility and project activities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Construction Management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience.
Three (3) years of professional experience in accounting, financial management, project accounting, utility accounting, contract administration, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated experience managing complex financial data, reconciling accounts, preparing budgets and financial reports, and ensuring accuracy across multiple funding sources or projects.
Experience interpreting and applying financial policies, procurement procedures, contracts, and regulatory or compliance requirements while maintaining strong internal controls.
Proficiency using enterprise financial systems (such as Workday, PeopleSoft, Banner, or similar), Microsoft Excel, and other business software to analyze data, generate reports, and manage financial transactions.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret general written materials, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.
Ability to write reports and prepare and conduct verbal and visual presentation of materials.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from top management, public groups, and board of directors.
Strategic and analytical reasoning skills are necessary.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
While performing the duties of this job, the individual is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear.
The individual must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting capital construction, facilities management, higher education, government, or public-sector financial operations, including project accounting and contract administration.
Experience with utility management systems, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, SkySpark, LCPTracker, SharePoint, or similar utility, energy management, or construction compliance platforms.
Professional certification (CPA, CMA, PMP, or related credential) and/or experience with utility budgeting, sustainability reporting, prevailing wage compliance, or capital asset accounting.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for all University utilities on all University campuses
Ensure accurate and timely entry of all utility invoices into WorkDay for payment; reconcile all utility accounts to ensure proper, timely payment; research and resolve discrepancies
Maintain online utility vendor accounts to facilitate timely access to invoices, statements, account status, and payment status
Review and monitor all monthly utility bills and accounts for unplanned overages, outages, and missing usage; resolve issues through identifying and resolving maintenance, meter, or personnel issues
Provide quarterly utility budget-vs-actual and forecasting reports for utility use and cost; assist with development of annual utility budgets, utility cost projections, and long-range utility expenditure forecasts
Calculate tenant utility charges, prepare and distribute monthly utility invoices, and collect/deposit payables from tenants; track payments and report on revenue
Submit applications for utility rebates; track, validate, document, and generate reports on utility rebates
Scan and upload all utility statements, invoices, setup requests, disconnect requests, OH-UG changes, and documentation to SharePoint
Manage the SkySpark account and smart meters; coordinate with Iconergy to troubleshoot meter outages and data discrepancies; perform regular meter updates and upgrades; coordinate smart meter installation in new and existing facilities
Collaborate with the IT academic departments to continue the development of a utility accounting database and analysis tool
Manage utility setup and disconnect for all University properties; maintain documentation for new, renovated, and demolished properties
Maintain the University ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account, including the addition of new sites, updating data for existing sites, uploading current energy use and cost data, validating energy and water data, performing annual reporting in the State of Colorado BEAM Building Owner Portal, applying for annual building waivers, and ensuring compliance in all areas mandated by the State of Colorado Building Performance program
Assist with summer and winter shutdown processes as requested
Ensure adherence to University fiscal rules and State financial regulations in all procurement and payment processes for utilities and projects
Serve as the primary point of contact for the University for vendors and contractors on financial, compliance, and documentation matters
Coordinate with Payment and Procurement Services to onboard and orient new contractors
Encumber and maintain all project contracts in WorkDay
Support contract development, execution, amendment, and closeout processes
Support compliance with Colorado State Building Program documentation and procurement guidelines
Review contractor pay applications for accuracy and compliance; validate fund, account, and encumbrance; obtain final CMU signatures and enter into the financial system for payment
Track pay applications for all contracts, ensure timely processing and payment, and resolve discrepancies
Monitor pay application submission and coordinate with contractors to ensure timely submission of pay applications and supporting documentation
Generate and execute all final contract change orders in preparation for encumbrance close; close or roll encumbrances per internal controls
Complete Notice of Contractor Settlement advertisement and facilitate retention release
Provide day-to-day accounting support for capital construction, controlled maintenance, and deferred maintenance projects
Assist project managers with budget and expenditure tracking, year-end budget reporting, balance availability, and project payment reconciliation throughout the project lifecycle
Prepare and distribute project financial reports, budget status reports, and expenditure summaries for project managers and leadership
Monitor project funding availability, expenditures, commitments, and cash flow throughout the project lifecycle
Reconcile project budgets, expenditures, encumbrances, and financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance
Maintain project documentation to support audit readiness and response to CORA requests
Provide documentation, reporting, and support for internal and external audits related to utilities, construction projects, contracts, and financial transactions
Develop and maintain financial procedures, documentation standards, and internal controls supporting utility and project accounting activities
Manage project data and payroll approvals in LCPTracker to support compliance with prevailing wage and workforce requirements
Coordinate project financial closeout activities, including final reconciliations, capitalization documentation, and transfer of completed projects to fixed assets in accordance with University and State accounting requirements
Assist with capital asset reporting and documentation related to completed construction and renovation projects
Perform final commissioning and owner information verification activities at project closeout