Campus Accountant

Job Summary

The Campus Controller’s Office at CU Boulder welcomes applications for a Campus Accountant! The University of Colorado Boulder is a Tier One, nationally competitive research university with a $2.00B annual operating budget. The University is focused on cultivating its instruction and research, increasing its innovative impact at the national and international level through collaboration, transformation, and leadership.

This full-time position reports to the Accounting Manager within the Campus Controller’s Office and works closely with campus departmental finance and accounting staff. This position is responsible for providing accounting expertise, internal controls, guidance and interpretation of CU’s fiscal policies and procedures, and post-audit financial transaction management. This position is responsible for assigned CU Boulder departments and serves the campus needs by properly recording, classifying, reconciling, correcting and querying transactions. This position also provides various trainings throughout the year to assist and mentor campus users on proper policies, procedures, financial systems, and other topics of interest.

This position exists to:

• Assure proper accounting of the General, Auxiliary, Restricted, Loan, and Plant funds at the University of Colorado Boulder in accordance with all Federal, State, University and campus rules and regulations.
• Provide timely and accurate reports and related information to external constituents, and internally as requested.
• Provide consulting, training, and mentoring to campus personnel on the proper administration of General, Auxiliary, Restricted, Loan, and Plant use of the PeopleSoft Financial System (and new business processes associated therewith), and departmental roles and responsibilities in the administration of its funds.
• Manage any relevant subsystems related to accounting operations.

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 Campus Controller’s Office maintains and supports CU Boulder’s fiscal responsibility through accurate financial accounting and reporting and is in compliance with laws, regulations, policies/procedures, and contract requirements for sponsored projects. We provide oversight, assistance, and training in financial stewardship for the Boulder campus.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Accounting Excellence:

• Understands and reviews campus departmental operations to ensure that they are in compliance with applicable accounting and industry standards.
• Develops sound campus business management accounting practices by examining State, campus management, and campus departmental users’ needs.
• Prepares weekly, quarterly, and year-end journal entries in Excel and uploads journal entries into the PeopleSoft finance system for review and approval.
• Creates and assures accuracy of year-end financial statements, related footnotes, and workpapers for audit and publication for the General, Auxiliary, Agency, Gift, and Loan by developing, reviewing, compiling, comparing, analyzing and interpreting accounting system sources and generated documents for correctness, comparability, and appropriateness.
• Directs and oversees Boulder campus financial transactions in the General, Auxiliary, Agency, Gift, Loan, and Renewal & Replacement funds. Also controls and detects irregularities or unusual developments; assesses potential impact on campus financial reporting and recommends proper accounting treatments by:
• Interpreting, and applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) standards, Colorado Higher Education Standards, State Fiscal Rules, Colorado Department of Administration (DOA) Rules, TABOR (Amendment 1) Guidelines, University of Colorado Policies and Procedures, and Financial Reporting System guidelines.
• Performing post-auditing through exception reports including abnormal balances, unchanged balances, suspended accounts activities, cash deficit controls, budget deficits controls, recharge activity review, use of ID rev/exp review, and other exception reviews as necessary. Assures campus user compliance with above by instructing and advising correct application and practice of these principles and standards.
• Develops and produces, as needed, monthly and quarterly General, Auxiliary, Gift, Agency, Loan, Renewal & Replacement reports and variance analyses for Office of State Controller, Office of University Controller, UCB – Budget and Fiscal Planning (BFP), and campus management by compiling, analyzing, and interpreting finance system data, COFRS data, and system-generated documents and discussing fund activities with campus departmental users for changes.
• Follow-up reviews on internal audit reports and reports the current status of management actions on internal audit findings to the Controller.
• Performs credit card business practice evaluations and makes appropriate recommendations on the creation of credit card accounts.
• Other duties as assigned.

University Engagement:

• Provides, coordinates, and plans for consulting, training, advising, coaching, and mentoring services to campus personnel on the identification and investigation of current accounting issues; the development of accounting methods and business processes; the implementation of accounting related projects; the design of customized managerial reports; the preparation of service center rate calculations; and the facilitation of accounting opportunities and solutions.
• Develops, designs, and implements optimum training and customer support approaches.
• Provides, coordinates, and plans for training campus personnel on the use of the PeopleSoft system.
• Discusses fund activities with campus users and serves as liaison between campus user departments and State audit staff, University System Administration, and Campus management.
• Services as the financial specialist for assigned CU Boulder departments.

People Development:

• Seek opportunities for professional development and training for self and unit.
• Provide suggestions for growth and development of the campus accounting area and CCO.

Infrastructure Enhancement:

• Assists with training and implementation of system upgrades, such as PeopleSoft or Cognos.
• Identify areas to improve service excellence to campus constituents.

What You Should Know

• Hybrid work environment. 2 days working in office, 3 days working remote.

What We Can Offer

• The salary range for this position is $53,000 -$56,000 per year.

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 impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting or related field.
• Professional accounting experience may substitute for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.
• One year of accounting or closely related professional experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

• Advanced Microsoft Access and Excel skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability as a problem solver.
• Demonstrated customer service orientation.
• Demonstrated public presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people.

What We Would Like You to Have

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting or related field.
• Two years of accounting experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of GAAP, University and state accounting and fiscal rules.
• Experience and knowledge of governmental or higher education accounting procedures.
• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft or related enterprise accounting system.
• Advanced Microsoft Access and Excel skills.

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 October 10, 2023, 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