Careers

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Department Summary

Student Life Budget and Finance (SLBF) supports the Student Life departments of Housing, Dining, Unions, Conference and Events, University Health Services (UHS), Rec. Sports and many departments, centers and programs within Student Life.  SLBF prepares monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports, prepares annual budgets, data analysis, procurement and accounts receivable support across Student Life. SLBF also facilitates the annual Internal Controls gap analysis process, provides financial system and business process training as well as updates to U of M processes and policies within Student Life.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for the support of all Student Life Budget & Finance areas related to finance and compliance. This position would report to the Accounting Manager of Student Life Budget and Finance (SLBF), with a functional relationship to Student Life Centers & Programs departments. This position will assist the Accounting Manager in providing comprehensive, timely and accurate financial analysis and budget support with a strategic insight for the Director of SLBF and Centers & Programs Directors. This role will support the manager in developing and recommending alternatives to solve financial problems. This position will also work with Internal Controls to oversee compliance and consistency across the division. This position will determine and support process improvements and efficiencies in financial operations

20% Budget Support and Preparation

• Assist in preparing annual budget files and supporting documentation. 
• Attend budget meetings and prepare budget scenarios as needed.
• Maintain comprehensive budget history including rationale behind budget decisions.  
• Work with leadership and staff to ensure funding agreements are properly recorded in the budget commitment system.
• Assist and review monthly/quarterly/annual budget projections including variance analysis and narrative. 
• Meet with supervisor and unit leadership to provide updates regarding their budget variances. 
• Work with leadership to identify strategies for keeping future expenditures in line with the budget.

50% Financial Management, Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare journal entries using proper chart of account (chartfield) combination.
• Review reconciliation of revenues and expenses, including the determination if expenditures are recorded properly.
• Analyze financial and payroll activity and make journal corrections per university guidelines.
• Prepare and review monthly/quarterly/annual financial statements including variance analysis and narrative.
• Meet as needed with department finance leadership & staff to understand their business and provide support related to finance, internal controls, policy compliance, etc.
• Exhibit a process improvement mindset in support of a continuous improvement culture for efficiencies; reduce reliance on supplement shadow systems.
• Review and periodically audit accounting entries to ensure the accuracy of the financial statements.
• Prepare ad hoc reporting and analysis by extracting financial data from multiple data sources and assemble data for analysis.
• Assist with gift stewardship and scholarship management reports and processes.
• Create data queries to support financial responsibilities.
• Support the  leadership of the Central Student Government (CSG) by preparing 990-T fax forms, purchases, analysis  and all other financial tasks.

20% Internal Controls & Unit Support

• Maintain annual GAP Analysis process.
  • Annually work with Internal Controls and update Student Life instructions based on the annual questions required.
  • Review and update Student Life policy and procedures related to Internal Controls.
  • Work and/or train departmental staff on filling out the GAP Analysis MReport process.
• Default Approver for Expense Reports & People Pay Payments.
• Stay informed of all GAP and University of Michigan’s Standard Practice Guides (SPG) changes that will affect financial statement preparation and the accuracy of the financial statements, especially in regards to specific departmental requirements.

10% Unit Support

• Provide exceptional customer service.
• Assist units by answering financial related questions.
• Stay informed of SPG changes that will affect Financial Statement preparation and the accuracy of the Financial Statements. 
• Attend Student Life Budget and Finance staff meetings and participate in committees as needed.  Attend Key Administrator Group meetings and assist in preparation of materials and presentations.
• Assist with development and maintenance of policy and procedures.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or minimum of seven years of related experience.
• Minimum of five to seven (5-7) years of financial analysis, accounting or finance management.
• Ability to interpret financial data, and effectively present and communicate financial data and analysis.

• Experience with University of Michigan’s M-Pathways Financials Systems.
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures, including those regarding human resources, financial management, internal controls, procurement, and student services.
• Progressive knowledge of spreadsheets such as Excel and Google, including pivot tables. Knowledge of PowerPivot in Excel would be highly desirable.

Position Criteria:

• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks at once.
• Proven expertise working with spreadsheets and databases.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills, critical thinking analytical skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate well both orally and in writing and to work collaboratively and diplomatically with others.
• Ability to independently set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and meet multiple deadlines; ability to work collegially and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Excellent attendance, ability to multitask, prioritize and exercise good judgment is a must.
• Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to problem solve and to multitask is required, as is attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness. This position must be able to handle confidential information appropriately.

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility

This position has zero budget responsibility.

Working conditions

Normal office working conditions.  M-F 8 hrs. per day.  A hybrid work environment may be an option.

Physical requirements

Travel around campus will be needed at times. 

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.  

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Relocation will not be offered for this position.

#studentlife

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely.   More information on this new policy is available on the Campus Blueprint website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.