Fin Pro 2-Fin Gnrlst- Dept Mech Eng

About the Job
This position reports to the Finance Manager and involves department accounting and
compliance; budgeting, financial analysis, financial policy and procedure compliance;
and pre-award support. It collaborates closely with faculty and leadership. We are
looking for a thoughtful, motivated, and service-oriented team player to join a flexible,
fun, and driven group of faculty and staff in ME.

Position Description
35% - Department Accounting: Monitor department operating accounts (chartstrings)
including reviewing transactions for compliance with policies and procedures. Monitor
balance of Foundation chartstrings and report to leadership on balances. Monitor
accounts for and coordinate with student groups and their faculty advisors to ensure
compliance with financial policies and procedures. Facilitate agreements and invoicing
for courses offered in partnership with other institutions.
Prepare monthly and annual reports for assigned departmental accounts. Prepare
detailed and complex financial analysis of assigned accounts to problem solve, identify
areas of concern, document for audit purposes, and recommend a course of action to
resolve any issues. Analyze situations that arise and use judgment to interpret
department, contract, and University regulations. Monitor spending activity on assigned
accounts and reconcile account activity on a regular basis; resolve accounting issues
identified during reconciliation.

25% - Pre-award Management: Support the Pre-Award Accountant with proposal
preparation process with faculty (and subcontracts as needed). Read and interpret
proposal solicitations for budget instructions, proposal requirements, and all necessary
submission materials. Manage timeline for submission to ensure all proposal deadlines
are met including submission to SPA, agency, etc. Management of collection,
formatting, file creation and other necessary requirements for submission. Submit PRFs
for all department grants and awards; track through the lifecycle of the submissions.
Prepare PeopleSoft-friendly budgets once the final budget is complete. Determine
appropriate rates to use for personnel, fringe and indirect costs.

15% - Serve as sponsored and non-sponsored accountant for a small portfolio of
assigned faculty and their chartstrings, including responsibility to monitor and report
financial activity, provide fiscal oversight, audit, reconcile, forecast accurate balances,
and analyze data and transactions for compliance. Interpret award regulations and
relate to principal investigators and lab staff, as well as proactively identify and resolve
issues related to carry forward requests, no cost extensions, rebudgeting requirements,
grant close-outs, changes in personnel, cost-share/salary cap compliance, and effort
certification. Provide expertise to faculty and other stakeholders on complex financial
accounting, reporting and fiscal management issues. Demonstrate proficient knowledge
base, strong communication skills, and capacity to work both independently and as part
of a team.

10% - Facilitate meetings with department groups and faculty regarding the monitoring
of grant expenditures and balances, and advise on other related non-sponsored
financial accounting matters by keeping the principal investigator and the finance
manager informed of current and projected balances. Provide data and
recommendations regarding account balances, budgeting practices, and accounting
functions. Provide support and recommendations regarding administrative requests to
the sponsor such as submission of re-budget requests, no-cost extension letters,
changes to key personnel, requests for carryover of unspent funds, budget short
falls/overruns, as well as subaward activity and contract set up and amendments.

5% - Serve as a resource for department stakeholders regarding financial services,
practices, and policy and procedure interpretation related to procurement allowances,
travel, appropriate justification preparations, p-card usability, and other financial
regulatory activities. Serve as liaison between the college and university finance offices
and department staff, interpreting and explaining policy and procedural requirements.
Work within the team to provide information to resolve gaps in processes or procedures.
Analyze the efficiency and adequacy of established department accounting procedures;
and develop and implement changes in collaboration with the Finance Manager.

5% - Perform departmental approvals, including serving as point of contact for trouble-
shooting and problem-solving activity issues that arise within assigned accounts. Audit
and approve/deny expenditures on assigned accounts based on administrative
requirements of the University and department. Prepare journal entries for funding
transfers, cross-charges, adjustments and corrections.

5% - Attend classes, workshops, seminars, and other meetings to remain up-to-date on
system and policy changes, and continue professional development. Serve on various
central and local committees, advisory boards and user groups.

Required Qualifications
* BA/BS degree plus at least two years of professional accounting experience or a combination of related education and relevant work experience to equal six years.
* Experience with Excel and Word, analyzing and reconciling data in multiple systems.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders, and individuals.
* Ability to prioritize multiple competing tasks with strong organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications
* Experience in an academic environment and fund accounting.
* Ability to work successfully with senior management, faculty and staff at all levels of authority.
* Experience with University systems such as PeopleSoft, HRMS, EFS, Reporting Center, ECRT and MN-GEMS.
* Familiarity with University and sponsor accounting (Federal and non-Federal) regulations.
* Demonstrated ability to anticipate business needs of the PI and/or Center, develop and analyze alternatives, and make recommendations to faculty and unit leaders regarding budgets and financial impact.
* Certified Approver

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has an internationally recognized faculty, and is part of the College of Science and Engineering, the highly interdisciplinary college of engineering, physical sciences, and mathematics.

Pay Range: $31.74/hr - $39.65/hr ($66,019.20 annually - $82,472.00 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).