Financial Analyst II

Job Summary

The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) develops, designs, and builds instruments and spacecraft for space-based observations of the Sun, Earth, and planets.

• LASP has built instruments and participated in missions to every planet in the solar system.
• LASP manages the financial aspects for over 170 active grants and contracts, from proposal through award.

LASP is seeking a dynamic financial professional to further LASP’s science mission by providing coordination and support to individual programs as well as to aid LASP faculty in managing sponsored research programs.

• This professional will have a technology-first approach to solving problems and optimizing processes.
• Duties include research, selection, and compilation of financial data from multiple sources, such as production, accounting, vendors, and duties also include subsequent analysis of that data to produce business information used to support decisions.
• This role Verifies the accuracy of data and ensures appropriate number tie outs.
• Decisions by this role may impact the effectiveness and efficiency of administrative and business processes.

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

LASP is a world-renowned space science research institute at the University of Colorado Boulder. CU receives more NASA funding than any public university in the country, due in large part to LASP programs. Professional engineers work closely with scientists and assembly technicians in designing and building space flight hardware while helping mentor students as entry-level engineers working on these programs. LASP is particularly proud of a work environment that supports employee creativity and productivity and offers opportunities for diverse experiences and a broad range of responsibilities.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Support principal investigators (PIs) and project managers (PMs) with proposals, award management, and other analyses as requested.
• Create and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual reports and ensures financial information has been recorded accurately. Responsible for completing journal entries as necessary.
• Evaluate and proposes/develops process and tool updates.
• Support LASP Finance Information Services Team in testing and updating tools and processes that promote increased efficiency.
• Review and reconciles discrepancies, performs cost/variance analyses, monitors burn rates and spending.
• Perform cost projections and labor planning.
• Apply, interpret, or assess existing policies, procedures, regulations for financial impact on program support.
• Develop budgets and other related proposal documents. Coordinate with subrecipient organizations when applicable.
• Support subcontract/subaward management and other direct cost review and approval. Assists with modifying and renewing incoming and outgoing subcontracts for research awards.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of certain business practices and products particularly in the areas of finance and sponsored project accounting.
• Review and approval of expenses of sponsored projects.
• Create ad hoc reports using data from a variety of sources to answer questions posed by program management/principal investigators.
• May conduct special financial and business-related studies and cooperates with other departments in the preparation of analyses
• Consults or receives guidance with senior analysts or functional management.
• Other duties as assigned to facilitate continuity within research programs at LASP.

Where applicable:

• Load project data from the financial system into the EVM system (COBRA) or equivalent tracking system/tool.
• Support monthly reporting to sponsors and internal stakeholders, by updating and providing reports such as 533s and earned value management-related reports.

What You Should Know

• Due to U.S. Export Control Restrictions, only U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents may apply.
• All University of Colorado Boulder employees are required to comply with the campus COVID-19 vaccine requirement . New employees must provide proof of vaccination or receive a medical or religious exemption within 30 days of employment.

What We Can Offer

The salary range for this position is $65,000-70,000. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 200% matching for the first 5% contributed with immediate vesting.

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 ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent, with 3 to 5+ years of relevant experience or a master’s in business administration or equivalent, with 1 to 3+ years of experience.

What You Will Need

• Understands accounting principles.
• Demonstrated ability to research, investigate, analyze, reconcile, and evaluate data.
• Able to generate financial statement reports for internal and external customers.
• Functions within well-defined guidelines and procedures to resolve routine issues, and to make independent and logical decisions and/or recommendations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task while under pressure.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in accounting or finance.
• Understanding of Business Analytics and Business Intelligence.
• Understanding of Microsoft Power BI.
• Understanding of Visual Basic (VBA) specifically for Excel.
• Understanding of SQL.
• Understanding of Deltek/Cobra or other project management tools.
• Understanding of Earned value management.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume or CV.
2. Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

This position will remain open until filled.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu