Jobs UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER

Founded in 1893, CEAS at CU Boulder is the second largest of seven schools and colleges at one of the nation's top public research institutions. As Colorado's flagship university, CU Boulder has selective admissions standards and a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college’s mission is to generate new knowledge in engineering and related fields, and to equip students from a diverse set of backgrounds to become leaders and citizens responsible for the improvement of individuals and society. Our vision is to be a recognized world leader for excellence and innovation in engineering research and education, with an emphasis on inclusive excellence, active learning and global society.

Strategic Oversight and Operational Duties:

• Use expertise in university policy and procedures to navigate campus requirements efficiently and compliantly, providing best-practice financial services to CEAS units.
• Consult with campus and unit administrators on the effective use of financial and business systems (e.g., Marketplace, Concur, CU-Data, PeopleSoft Finance), including streamlining processes and system upgrades.
• Oversee the development of measures and metrics to analyze data related to FSC productivity, department process workflows, and internal processes. Regularly evaluate and adjust internal processes to ensure effective support services and adaptability to changing business needs.
• Recommend and coordinate support initiatives with FSC Leads and CEAS Assistant Director of Budget and Finance.
• Ensure the FSC remains at the forefront of business solutions by focusing on continuous operational improvement and using current and effective technology. Develop and implement innovative business processes within the FSC.
• Engage with FSC staff and CEAS units to develop and implement standardized forms and templates for data collection, entry, and reconciliation.
• Assist with reviewing and developing FSC business processes, procedures, reports, and forms to enhance overall operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with campus Internal Audit to ensure that proper internal controls are in place within the FSC.
• Provide training to CEAS units on an ad hoc basis to ensure effective financial operations and compliance.

Financial Oversight and Transaction Review:

• Review Marketplace transactions, including all types of requisitions, and approve purchase order invoice receiving.
• Conduct financial oversight of procurement expense reports, travel expense reports, and reimbursement expense reports for both CU employees and non-employees.
• Provide financial oversight on journal entries and payroll expense transfers to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Identify and investigate problematic issues, determining the appropriate resolution methods.
• Collaborate with FSC leads, coordinators, and the Assistant Director of Budget and Finance in implementing effective solutions for identified issues.

Accounting and Finance Administration:

• Apply strong knowledge and understanding of fund accounting and policies and practices associated with campus financial operations to procurement and travel activities.
• Ensure fiscal operations in accordance with Federal, State, and university fiscal policies and procedures.
• Understand and attend trainings and meetings related to sponsored research. Apply what is learned from the sponsored research trainings, meetings, policies, and procedures when applicable.
• Process payroll expense transfers (PET) and funding distributions submitted by units for processing. Ensure all documentation is attached to the PETs that is relevant and required, such as PI statements. Communicate and works with the unit if documentation is needed.
• Process journal entries submitted by units for processing. Communicate and work with the unit if documentation is needed for the journal entry, such as PI statements and travel authorization forms. Ensure all relevant information is included in the journal entry to be processed.
• Provide accounting and finance support to units as needed.

Procurement:

• Coordinate procurement activities, manage contracts, and ensure compliance with university regulations.
• Process and approve invoices, audit payments, and resolve discrepancies.
• Advise on complex purchases, documentation, and acquisition methods.
• Maintain procurement documentation for audit readiness.
• Manage procurement card transactions, create purchase requisitions, and ensure compliance with guidelines.
• Assist vendors with CU Marketplace setup.
• Collaborate with vendors, campus units, and Procurement Service Center teams.

Expense Reimbursements:

• Process unit expense reimbursements for CU employees and non-employees and ensure correct documentation is obtained for processing.
• Communicate procurement options to reduce reimbursement delays and ensure tax compliance.
• Manage payment adjustments and investigate missing payments.
• Ensure timely processing and proper approval workflows.

Travel:

• Review travel documentation, process travel expense reports and reimbursements, and ensure compliance.
• Provide travel training and guidance to faculty, staff, and students.
• Assist with travel bookings for non-employees.
• Audit travel and expense reimbursements to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Assist with travel card applications and guide travelers on policies.

Management and Administration of Department Procurement Cards:

• Administer the procurement card program, provide training, and ensure compliance.
• Assist with procurement card applications and guide cardholders on policies.
• Review, prepare, and validate procurement card transactions, ensuring timely submission of expense reports.
• Develop internal deadlines and manage fiscal year-end processes related to procurement cards.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, including sales tax, alcohol, sensitive expenses, and gift restrictions.

Supervision & Other:

• Supervise and train the CEAS FSC staff. Provide day-to-day management of professional development and feedback.
• Evaluate annual performance and on a continuous basis for coaching and performance feedback, setting goals, cultural leadership, and any disciplinary action as needed.
• Ensure compliance with University and College policies. Approves leave requests and monthly timesheets.
• Responsible for recruiting and hiring CEAS FSC staff.
• Serve as the backup to Assistant Director of Budget and Finance.
• Serve as the backup for FSC staff turnover or when FSC Staff team members are out of the office.
• Stay apprised and current on relevant University and State of Colorado policies and procedures.
• Participate in professional development activities and serve on unit, college or campus committees as applicable.
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of related experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
• Two years of experience supervising financial staff.

• Demonstrates strong customer service skills with the ability to communicate efficiently and effectively.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective and trusting working relationships with faculty, administrators, staff, and students.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of internal accounting control principles.
• Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political and geographical differences, with ability to work well with faculty, staff and students from around the world.
• High-level computer skill proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Word and Excel).
• Demonstrated effectiveness in written and oral communications
• Planning, problem solving, and organization skills.
• Ability to learn and respond quickly to situations that arise on day-to-day basis.

• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, and/or business administration in a complex environment that includes budgetary responsibilities.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of internal accounting control principles, as well as generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Working knowledge of CU Business Applications, PeopleSoft Finance and HR, Concur, HCM, CU Marketplace, and/or Cognos.
• Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, and fiscal principles and practices in a higher education environment, including budgeting and fund accounting.
• Strong knowledge of accounting and budgeting in all funds (general, auxiliary, gift, grant, and plant) as well as an understanding of the CU Foundation accounting system.
• General Understanding of the rules and regulations that drive university processes (e.g. Fiscal Code of Ethics, procurement rules, hiring processes).