Finance Professional 3 - Finance Generalist

Position Overview

The Finance and Budget unit in the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is seeking a Finance Professional 3 to join our team. This position works within the Food, Animal, Nutrition Science and Applied Economics Division in support of assigned academic, administrative, and programmatic units. The incumbent will be joining a team of experienced professionals who are passionate about providing excellent service and support to faculty and staff. This position works independently and is responsible for performing complex professional accounting requiring the application of general accounting principles and University policies.

Responsibilities include developing sponsored project budgets; preparation of grant proposal administrative and budget related submission documents; interpreting grant and contract regulations; resolving complex pre-award and post-award grant issues; preparing financial reports for internal and external audiences; researching the source and cause of discrepancies in accounting systems; and maintaining integrity and compliance in all aspects of job responsibilities.

Major Areas of Accountability
Grants Management and effort Coordination - 45%

• Provide pre-award grant support for the FANS/APEC division by assisting Faculty and P & A staff on grant proposals, budget development and funding proposal preparation/approval and routing for sponsored projects
• Works closely with SPA/SFR to set up grants and subcontracts, assist faculty with nocost extensions and award modifications as well as the closing out of grants
• Regular communication with faculty providing budget expertise, financial reporting and policy and procedure interpretation for sponsored projects
• Analyze issues related to a specific grant, PI, type of charge; make recommendations to ameliorate the issues, such as no-cost extensions, indirect cost adjustments, process sponsored project re-budgeting in the EFS system, etc.

Assist in Effort Certification approval Financial Management, Analysis and Compliance - 50%

• Approve and monitor allowable and allocable expense documents, following agency/federal guidelines and University policies and procedures
• Prepares ad hoc reports of sponsored and non-sponsored funds as requested by departmental administration and faculty; analyze trends and make projections for future funding and expenditures
• Analyze trends, make projections to develop the annual budget, and enter budgets into the financial system and RECAP.
• Ensure that non-sponsored accounts are appropriately managed within the assigned college units. Manages O&M, State Special, research and extension, sales & services, unrestricted, and UM Foundation accounts for the units served
• Works within the team to provide information to ensure consistent process and communications
• Reviews transactions ensuring that any variances are explained and appropriately handled
• Work closely with the other financial staff as necessary to resolve issues
• Document approvals
• Submit requests via TDX for Journal entries, Distribution changes and salary adjustments as needed.

Service Delivery and Professional Development - 5%

• Continue professional development through attendance of courses, workshops, seminars, and other meetings
• Demonstrates ethical behavior in the conduct of all position responsibilities
• Participate in department, college, and University events, meetings, projects and initiatives
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting and four years of professional accounting experience and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience to equal eight years.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in proposal preparation and managing sponsored and non-sponsored accounts.
• Experience with Excel, Word, MN-GEMS, and PeopleSoft Financials
• Experience in spreadsheet development.
• Able to work independently and as part of a finance team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Academic environment experience.
• Certified Approver or ability to obtain certified approver status within a designated timeframe.
• Able to identify many variables with many options and explain various outcomes of each situation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service while maintaining compliance with university and federal policies and procedures.

Pay Range: $73,840 - $80,080 annually, $35.50 - $38.50 per hour, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

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.

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.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).