Careers

The Division of Biostatistics has an opening for a Finance Professional 2 – Finance Generalist (Job Code 8222FG).

Position Overview:
This position is a member of the Division of Biostatistics administration team, providing accounting and financial management services to the leadership, the Coordinating Centers for Biometric Research, and individual principal investigators (PIs) within the division. Responsibilities include post-award financial management of grants, research projects and contracts, policy compliance, effort management, ad-hoc reporting and problem solving. The Finance Professional 2 will serve as an expert resource to faculty and division staff on all aspects of university accounting, including sponsored projects, as well as financial and reporting systems.

The School of Public Health is committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression in our mission and operations. In pursuit of this goal, we consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues from historically marginalized backgrounds and experience identifying and eliminating systemic barriers to academic success. Because the SPH and the Division seek to increase the diversity of its workforce, we particularly encourage applications from those who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented in our discipline, including those who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those with disabilities, and those from LGBTQIA+ communities.

Position Responsibilities:

Post-award Sponsored Projects Reporting, Accounting and Analysis – 55%

• Create accurate financial reports utilizing the University financial reporting systems and individualized custom reports.
• Collaborate with the PIs to interpret the budget, manage expenses and comply with sponsor regulations. Provide timely and accurate resolution of issues.
• Clearly communicate accounting concepts to stakeholders without an accounting background.
• Analyze and communicate reasons for variances from budget. Forecast future expenses, analyze trends and pro-actively communicate potential deficits or unexpended study balances.
• Effectively communicate and build positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders including administrative, research and funding agency staff.
• Analyze and review subcontractor billing and ensure timely billing.
• Collaborate with Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) throughout the life of an award on issues such as contract interpretation, rebudgeting, subaward issuing and management, project period extensions, and carryforward requests.
• Collaborate with Sponsored Financial Reporting (SFR) throughout the life of an award on issues such as invoicing, final financial reporting, and the award closeout process.
• Ensure that all issues are handled timely and in compliance with university and sponsor policies.

Effort Management and Payroll Accounting - 15%

• Coordinate effort certification at the division level for assigned PIs and staff.
• Ensure accurate setup of cost-share and federal salary cap distributions, and monitor and manage distributions.
• Clearly communicate effort concepts and policies to staff and PIs, and work with faculty and staff to proactively identify and resolve effort issues.
• Make necessary distribution changes and retro distribution changes for assigned PIs and staff.
• Pre-confirm review and verification of payroll abstract.
• Liaison to SPH-HR payroll staff.
• Manage RA/TA distribution set up process in coordination with Division student services team, post-award finance staff, and SPH-HR.
• Serve as backup for verification of I-9 employment documents in Homeland Security System for new employees. May accommodate schedules outside of normal business hours to ensure I-9 verification process is completed in a timely fashion.

Other Financial Duties - 15%

• Act as the Chrome River Navigator for the division and serve as the division’s Chrome River expert.
• Serve as the Division’s purchasing expert. Act as the point of contact for staff purchasing, initiate purchasing processes in compliance with all policies and procedures, coordinate with SPH procurement specialist.
• Manage accounts payables and receivables for the division.
• Serve as backup for procurement card reconciliation.

Non-sponsored Reporting, Accounting and Analysis – 10%

• Manage non-sponsored accounts as assigned and provide monthly reports to relevant faculty and staff.
• Perform the monthly reconciliation of accounts, ensuring that any variances are explained and any issues are resolved.
• Prepare ad hoc reports for non-sponsored funds as requested; analyze trends and make projections for future funding and expenditures.
• Ensure compliance with University policies and procedures.

Process Improvement and Analysis– 5%

• Proactively look for improvements to division reporting and develop enhanced reports through the use of UM Analytics and other tools.
• Attend necessary and appropriate University trainings.
• Keep up to date on University financial systems.
• Develop a strong working knowledge of university and federal regulations, policies, and procedures related to and impacting accounting and grants management.

Flexible Work Arrangements:  Hybrid work option available with a minimum of 2 days onsite during core business hours.

Starting Salary Range: $55-65K annually, depending on the candidate’s total relevant education and experience.
 

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications:
• BA/BS degree plus two years of accounting experience, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal six years.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Excel (including pivot tables and linked worksheets).
• Demonstrated prior experience with creating and maintaining financial reports.

NOTE: Training and demonstrated proficiency required for access to university financial, payroll, and human resource systems.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace.
• Experience in an academic environment.
• Experience with fund accounting.
• Prior experience with financial analysis.
• Experience with PeopleSoft Financials or similar university financial systems.
• Familiarity with payroll processes.
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple competing tasks.
• Ability to work effectively with staff and faculty at all levels of authority.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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