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Financial Analyst II

Requisition Number:

53109

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

Research Faculty

Schedule:

Full-Time

Date Posted:

16-Nov-2023

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.

We are 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.

Intermediate analyst work. Duties include research, selection, and compilation of financial data from multiple sources, such as production, accounting, vendors, and subsequent analysis of that data to produce business information used to support decisions. Verifies the accuracy of data and ensures appropriate number tie outs. Work assignments are of greater difficulty or larger financial impact than those given to entry level Financial Analyst I.

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 at the University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest research institutes at the University of Colorado Boulder. With a focus on solar, stellar, space plasma, atmospheric and planetary sciences, LASP employs both experimental and theoretical approaches to answer key science questions. Since its inception in 1948, LASP has developed, operated, and analyzed the data from scientific instrumentation for solar science, Earth atmospheric, planetary, deep-space, and Earth-orbiting spacecraft missions investigating the Sun, all eight planets, Pluto, and beyond. The progressive development of research capabilities and the use of innovative technologies in pursuit of emerging research initiatives ensures a continued leadership role for LASP in today’s growing “new space” era.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

  • Creates and analyzes monthly, quarterly, and annual reports and ensures financial information has been recorded accurately.
  • Validates latest forecast inputs to determine if the required resources line up with the resources available (compare actuals with forecast).
  • Supports principal investigators (PIs) and project managers (PMs) with proposals, award management, and other analyses as requested.
  • Evaluates and proposes/develops process and tool updates.
  • Supports LASP Finance Information Services Team in testing and updating tools and processes that promote increased efficiency.
  • Reviews and reconciles discrepancies, performs cost/variance analyses, monitors burn rates and spending.
  • Performs cost projections and labor planning.
  • Applies, interprets, or assesses existing policies, procedures, regulations for financial impact on program support.
  • Develops budgets and other related proposal documents.  Coordinates with subrecipient organizations when applicable.
  • Supports 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:

  • Loads project data from the financial system into the EVM system (COBRA) or equivalent tracking system/tool.
  • Supports 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 ITAR requirements, only US citizens and permanent residents may apply.

What We Can Offer

The salary range for this full-time position is $67,774 - $76,800. 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.
  • 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/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 (if applicable) as an optional attachment.

Open ended, will review applications on a rolling basis. 

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