Finance and Grant Professional

Job Summary

We are encouraging applications for a Finance and Grant Professional to be an integral part of our finance team in the Department of Chemistry. The position is responsible for administering all payroll on research-related funds in the department. The person in this role will make recommendations and initiate corrections to maintain sound fiscal responsibility and ensure compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, and guidelines. This position monitors and analyzes all subawards and cost-share commitments on sponsored research accounts in the department, prepares expenditure reports, creates projections, and assists with research related purchasing, service center reconciliations and required sponsor reporting. This position ensures accurate and appropriate setup and management of sponsored research equipment and fabrication purchases and assists with inquiries regarding funded research projects. We are looking for someone with strong customer service skills who can interact with a wide variety of constituents ranging from faculty, staff and students.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder is internationally recognized for its specialized research and education into the study of matter, energy, and the interaction between them. The behavior of atoms, molecules, and ions determines the sort of world we live in, our shapes and sizes, and even how we feel on a given day. Chemists who understand these phenomena are well-equipped to tackle problems faced by our modern society.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Payroll Administration

• In coordination with department HR and Graduate Program team, accountable and responsible for research related payroll processes in Chemistry – initiating Payroll Expense Transfers (PETs), funding distribution, tuition remission, clearing suspense and overpay accounts, etc.
• Continually evaluate all departmental research payroll processes to make sure employees are paid in a timely and accurate way including performing routine transactional reconciliations. Work with department staff to confirm available research funding for employee groups paid from research funds, including graduate research assistants (GRA), research faculty/post-docs, student stipends, bi-weekly hourly and temporary aides. Assist with resolving issues in pay for research supported students and staff.
• Support HR Coordinator as needed to assist with conveying information to supervisors and research supported employees and students regarding payroll setup and procedures. Ensure that appointments per term are within the current available budget. Work with HR Coordinator and Finance Manager to process off-cycle payments, additional payments and overpayment corrections. Point of contact for all research related payroll questions or issues.

Research Administration

• Monitor and analyze payroll and related data for all research related activities to ensure that activity aligns with internal and external policies. Update funding end dates when required (e.g. for no cost extensions) to prevent earnings from hitting suspense account. Assist faculty with budget analysis on all research related activities to ensure that payroll and related expense is spent according to budget and alert Principal Investigator (PI) if there are any discrepancies. Research and reconcile discrepancies on accounts.
• Prepare Personnel Expense Transfers (PETs) and perform corresponding Journal Entries (JEs) as needed. Ensure documentation is submitted (e.g. PI justification) for PETs and JEs. Responsible for tracking PET requests through entire approval process including documentation of resolution and ensuring that corresponding benefits, tuition remission and encumbrances follow salary changes.
• Manage all aspects of research funded graduate fellowships including calculation and submission of appropriate stipend and student aid payments.
• Connect with PIs, finance team, and supervisor on all payroll issues regarding research administration. Coordinate with the Graduate Program Administrator on setting up new and recurring research appointments each term ensuring all data fields are correct and there is available funding. Review salary allocations and personnel assignment on research funds, including encumbrances, and communicate issues or proposed changes to Finance Manager. Review monthly reports and create customized reports that concisely itemize, interpret, and compare payroll expenditures to budget. Distribute reports to PIs and have monthly or quarterly one on one meetings with them in conjunction with Accounting & Finance Manager. Work with PI and Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) to resolve issues with funding allocations, supervisor designation, etc.
• Review notice of award with PI and Accounting & Finance Manager, noting any special restrictions and requirements. Confirm budget information is loaded to speedtype(s) according to approved budget.
• Review rate and application of fringe and F&A costs for total budget. Work directly with finance team, PI, OCG/SPA, HRSC and Employee Services to resolve issues.

Accounting and Property

• Under the supervision of the Accounting and Finance Manager, monitor and analyze subawards and cost- share commitments on sponsored research accounts to ensure that all activity aligns with policies. Act as a resource for Purchasing regarding allowable costs and expenses. Assist faculty with budget analysis to ensure that revenue and expense match award, and appropriate proportional expenditures and required cost-share percentage is met.
• Working closely with Building Manager and finance team, set up and monitor fabrication and equipment purchases on all sponsored research accounts and make corrections as needed. Ensure accurate and timely setup of fabrication speedtypes and purchase requisitions, including all documentation and approvals.
• Other accounting and payroll support as assigned, such as reconciling service center charges and assisting with p-card reconciliations, purchasing, non-research payroll issue research, etc.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range is $48,000-$50,000.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements
Be Empowered. Be Resourceful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• A Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• 1 year of professional-level experience in payroll, accounting, or a finance-related role.

What You Will Need

• Excellent customer service.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and interpersonal problem-solving skills.
• High degree of professionalism and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively in a working environment with multiple interruptions.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple complex priorities.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Suite, Word and Excel.
• Proven ability to proactively analyze issues in such a way as to foresee possible problems or concerns that may arise and to develop possible solutions and initiate related action with little close supervision.

What We Would Like You To Have

• 2+ years of professional-level experience in payroll, accounting, or finance-related role.
• 2+ years of grant management experience in an academic or non-profit setting.
• Background knowledge of academic institution financial structure and operational standards.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:



1. A current resume.

2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by May 31, 2021 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: recruiting@colorado.edu