Finance Professional 3

This position works within the Office of Finance and Budget in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). The position reports to the finance manager for the ESPM Division Finance Manager. The primary responsibility will be to support an academic unit within the ESPM finance team but may occasionally support other units as needed. This position also provides reporting and analysis to create a more unified budgeting and reporting strategy for the assigned department. Under the leadership of the Finance Manager, this position will help develop consistent policies, procedures, and best practices to follow collegiate and University policies and procedures in the areas of budget, daily operations of financial management, and auditing. This position creates reports and financial models to appropriately answer management questions and provide decision support. This position demonstrates ethical behavior in the conduct of all position responsibilities. Customer service is a key focus for the CFANS Finance and Budget Office as we work to support the academic and research mission of the college.

This position is a critical team member in the Finance Cluster in CFANS. This position is located on the St. Paul Campus. This position will report to the ESPM Finance Manager. Responsibilities will include the following (does not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of related tasks):

Please note that this position is hybrid with at least one day per week on campus.

Major Areas of Accountability

Financial Management, Analysis and Compliance 55%

• Partner with principal investigators, faculty and staff to manage awarded sponsored research grants and non-sponsored accounts. This includes post-award, accounting, reconciliations, and auditing transactions utilizing UM Analytics.
• Prepare reports and forecasts related to sponsored and non-sponsored activities.
• Regularly meet with dept head, staff, Principal Investigators and faculty to support short- and long-term financial planning for their sponsored project and non-sponsored accounts.
• Submit requests to the Financial Operations Center for journal entries, retro distributions and payroll distribution updates as needed.
• Ensure compliance with sponsor's awarded terms and condition as well as University policies and procedures.
• Work with Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) to ensure sponsored requirements are met, as well as the proper set up and close out of awards.
• Work with Sponsored Financial Reporting (SFR) to prepare and analyze detailed reports provided to sponsors for accuracy.
• Review and approve financial transactions to ensure compliance with university, college and departmental policies, as well as state and federal regulations.

Grant Preparation and Effort Coordination 35%

• Develop sponsored project budgets in collaboration with university faculty and staff and ensure adherence to sponsor and University research policies and procedures.
• Prepare appropriate sponsored administrative and budget documents as required for submission (i.e., grants.gov packages, other sponsor forms and budgets)
• Act as a liaison to other organizations to develop and obtain subaward proposals.
• Prepare funding proposals in MN-GEMS in collaboration with faculty and staff and ensure that all appropriate signers are included.
• Track funding proposals and respond to SPA and others as needed. Assist with preparation of revised budgets and other documents if requested by the agency.
• Work with PI to provide information required for subaward issuance and requesting pre-award accounts.
• Set up cost sharing per sponsor guidelines.
• Provide pre-award backup support when needed.
• Develop and maintain accurate effort reports per faculty and principal investigator to monitor effort commitments and reportable cost-share
• Verify that paid and unpaid effort have been properly accounted for in the payroll system and ECRT

Financial Management 10%

• Works with Finance Manager on annual budget preparation.
• Attend professional development opportunities and serve on committees when able.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA/BS plus at least 4 years of finance professional work experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 8 years.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in proposal preparation and managing sponsored accounts.
• Experience in managing finances for a multifaceted organization
• Experience with Excel, Word, grant proposal routing systems, and enterprise financial system.
• Knowledge of and experience using University policies and procedures
• Experience supervising a distributed finance team using a variety of in-person and virtual teamwork tools
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service while maintaining compliance with university and federal policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with grants.gov, NIH ASSIST, and other agency proposal submission portals. Able to identify many variables with many options and explain various outcomes of each situation. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Demonstrate excellent attention to detail in both written and verbal communications
• Ability to thrive in a changing environment.
• Skilled in learning new software programs thoroughly and efficiently.
• Recent knowledge of university financial, HR/ Administrative, and Sponsored Projects systems
• Current University of Minnesota Certified Approver

Pay Range: $38.00 - $40.90 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category:100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

For a complete application, please include a cover letter and resume.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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