Accountant II

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Position Title:Accountant II
Job Category:Academic Staff
Employment Type:Regular
Job Profile:Accountant II
Job Duties:
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is the flagship urban campus of the University of Wisconsin System and committed to academic excellence with enrollment of approximately 25,000 students. One of the nation's top research universities (R-1 status), the Lubar College is a metropolitan business school of national distinction, accredited by the AACSB, and offers BBA, MBA, Executive MBA, MS, and Ph.D. degree programs. Additionally, our MBA and undergraduate programs are ranked regionally and nationally for excellence and the Lubar College hosts one of only five SAP University Competence Centers worldwide. With doctorates from some of the country's leading universities, full-time faculty bring an impressive range of expertise and are recognized for outstanding achievement in their fields with broad experience in business organizations and governmental bodies. Opportunities for research are abundant in this vibrant metropolitan area with both a strong presence of manufacturing and service operations. Located in Southeastern Wisconsin's commercial and industrial hub, Milwaukee is the third-ranked manufacturing center in the United States and home to 1300+ manufacturing firms and 400+ engineering firms with annual receipts of 24 billion dollars. Milwaukee is a vibrant and diverse area on the shores of Lake Michigan with easy access to beaches, a thriving cultural scene, championship sporting events, an expansive urban parks system, and hundreds of miles of bike lanes and paths. It is in the seventh most affordable metropolitan market in the country and offers a vibrant quality of life in a globally competitive region.
Further information is available at our website: https://uwm.edu/business/
Key Job Responsibilities:
Develops and maintains automated financial systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity
Prepares and/or approves financial transactions and payments
Prepares and analyzes financial data, reports and records, identifies discrepancies, investigates, recommends, and implements solutions as needed
Answers questions and provides accounting related information to internal and external stakeholders according to established policies and procedures
Organizes, prepares, and updates financial statements, monthly and year-end journal entries, accounts, ledgers, and reports for various financial needs within an automated financial system to ensure accurate recording and reporting of financial transactions
Provides and prepares budgets and projections based on existing data and established policies and procedures
Assists with accounting and reviewing reconciliations, journal entries, schedules, and reports
Position Summary:
The College Accountant provides professional accounting, financial reporting, budget monitoring, and financial analysis support for the Lubar College of Business (LCOB).
Reporting to the Divisional Finance Officer, this position serves as a financial resource to College leadership, including the Dean, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, Directors, and other College personnel.
The Accountant prepares and analyzes recurring and ad hoc financial reports; monitors budgets and financial activity; performs reconciliations; prepares accounting adjustments, costing allocations, payroll accounting adjustments, and journal entries; and assists with budget development, projections, and fiscal-year activities. The position reviews financial information for accuracy and completeness, researches discrepancies, recommends or initiates corrective action, and assists College leadership in understanding the financial status of College resources. This position monitors financial activities across program, gift, and grant fund activities.
This position works collaboratively with financial personnel across both the College and the University.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Financial Reporting, Analysis, and Reconciliation —35%
• Prepare and distribute recurring monthly financial reports for the College and its departments and programs.
• Analyze financial activity, balances, commitments, and trends and communicate significant findings to the Divisional Finance Officer and appropriate College leadership.
• Perform reconciliations of accounts, financial transactions, and supporting records to ensure the accuracy and completeness of College financial information.
• Research discrepancies, unusual transactions, accounting errors, and other
financial issues and determine or recommend appropriate corrective action.
• Prepare ad hoc financial reports and analyses to support the Dean, Finance Officer Assist with, Associate Dean, Directors, Divisional Finance Officer, and other College decision-makers.
• Assist in developing and improving financial reporting tools, processes, and
documentation.
• Maintain appropriate documentation supporting accounting transactions,
reconciliations, and financial reporting.
Budget Monitoring, Planning, and Forecasting — 25%
• Assist the Divisional Finance Officer with development, monitoring, and
management of College and departmental budgets.
• Monitor budget-to-actual results, available balances, commitments, and spending patterns throughout the fiscal year.
• Prepare projections and forecasts of revenues, expenditures, payroll, and fund
balances.
• Identify potential budget concerns, funding shortfalls, unusual variances, or
opportunities to better utilize available resources and communicate findings to the Divisional Finance Officer.
• Assist College leadership with understanding budgets, financial reports, available resources, and the financial implications of operational decisions.
• Support annual budget development, fiscal-year close, carryforward analysis, and other periodic financial planning activities.
• Assist with tracking and analysis of College funding commitments and other
financial obligations.
Accounting Transactions and Financial Operations —30%
• Prepare and process journal entries, accounting corrections, transfers, and other financial transactions in accordance with University policies and procedures.
• Prepare costing allocations and payroll accounting adjustments to ensure salary and fringe benefit expenses are charged appropriately.
• Review financial transactions and accounting classifications for accuracy,
appropriate funding, and compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Research and resolve accounting, funding, payroll, and financial-system issues in collaboration with appropriate College and University personnel.
• Assistwith month-end, year-end, and other periodic accounting activities.
• Support the Divisional Finance Officer in maintaining effective financial processes and internal controls within the College.
• Provide accounting guidance and assistance to College faculty and staff regarding financial transactions, reports, policies, and procedures.
Gift Financial Support and Special Projects — 10%
• Provide accounting support for gift funds, including routine gift financial reporting, monthly Foundation billing, reconciliations, accounting adjustments, and related transactions as needed.
• Participate in College and University financial initiatives, system implementations, process improvements, and special projects.
• Develop documentation and provide guidance or training to College personnel on financial processes and systems.
• Perform other accounting, budgeting, and financial management duties as
assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Associate degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least two years’ professional experience in accounting, budgeting, financial
management, sponsored-project administration, or a related area.
• At least one year of experience preparing, reviewing, or analyzing financial reports and financial data.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Two years’ experience in professional accounting, budgeting, or financial
management in a higher education, governmental, nonprofit, or similarly complex organization.
• Two years’ experience preparing budgets, financial forecasts, budget-to-actual
analyses, or financial projections.
• Two years’ experience performing account reconciliations and preparing accounting transactions such as journal entries, payroll accounting adjustments, or costing allocations.
• Two years’ experience using enterprise financia