Accountant II (Finance Manager - Hybrid Opportunity)_

Amherst

Accountant II (Finance Manager - Hybrid Opportunity)

Apply now (c4.pageuppeople.com/apply/822/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=523814&lJobSourceTypeID=801&sLanguage=en-us) Job no: 523814

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department:Provost's Office

Union:USA/MTA

Categories: Accounting/Finance/Budget

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Accountant II - Finance Manager (FM) has a comprehensive understanding of University’s expenses and applies this knowledge to organize and manage the financial activities of the Office of the Provost and is part of a team that is responsible for the overall management and administration of financial activities in Academic Affairs Executive Area and reporting administrative units.

The FM processes financial transactions and coordinates the financial reporting process, provides user support finance-related activities including non-sponsored, restricted, and unrestricted funds, administers training for faculty, staff, students on business, travel, and expense policies of the University and federal/non-federal sponsor agencies, and initiates and/or assists with routine transactions.

Essential Functions

+ Represent the Provost Office in an appropriate manner exercising a high level of discretion and professionalism, tact, confidentiality, and sound judgment at all times.

+ Act as direct liaison for Provost Office to vendors, campus administrators, department heads, faculty and staff within and outside of the University. Respond to inquiries regarding Provost supported budget and purchasing activities.

+ Coordinate major financial reporting and budgeting activities for non-sponsored, restricted, and unrestricted funds to ensure faculty and department solvency. Process activities for monthly and fiscal financial close, reporting, forecasting, and annual budgeting and strategic initiatives for faculty revenue and costs. Manage department level budgets, expenditures, financial transactions including journal entries and budget allocations for all accounts and fund types.

+ Serve as the primary financial contact for assigned department heads and their staff.

+ Export data from campus finance and HR systems to create, prepare, and maintain reports and queries to monitor account transactions on a monthly or quarterly basis.

+ Serve as the resident expert on business and travel expenses and reimbursements, adhering to campus and UPST policies and procedures for Procurement and Accounts Payable including contracts and invoicing.

+ Serve as the Procard Manager; Cell Phone Representative; Department Travel Card Holder and Coordinator; Certified Travel Preparer for the Provost Office Executive area.

+ Prepare and submit monthly cost-reimbursable invoices to Five Colleges, Inc. totaling approximately $1.4M annually.

+ Ensure accuracy of account balances, resolves funding issues and maintains proper accounting controls and procedures per University policies and guidelines.

+ Make recommendations to faculty and Department related to long-range financial and cash flow analyses.

+ Prepare and analyze statistical and financial reports, financial statements and supporting schedules for faculty.

+ Serve as subject matter expert on internal financial systems, processes, and reporting along with solid understanding of systems and processes that impact faculty finances.

+ Provide guidance and/or ad-hoc training for faculty, staff, and students on financial policy and procedures to ensure compliance.

+ Identify opportunities for efficiency and automation, makes and implements recommendations to optimize financial outcome and Department’s operations.

+ Collaborate across teams, while supporting necessary changes and proactively leading new initiatives and process changes.

+ Responsible for Department procurement needs and assists with routine financial transactions including but not limited to procurement, reimbursements, Administration and Finance (A&F) access requests, bank card reallocation/archiving, etc.

+ Prepare and submit Graduate Student Employment (GEO) contracts and stipends. May assist with basic human resources (HR) processing.

+ May supervise one to two students to ensure timely submission of routine financial transactions.

Other Functions

+ Contributes to the overall success of the Department by performing other related and essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

+ Four (4) years’ relevant work experience in bookkeeping, accounting, contract administration, or other relevant experience.

+ An Associate's degree or higher may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.

+ Ability to meet deadlines, keep accurate records, and communicate orally and in writing.

+ Experience preparing, analyzing, and interpreting reports and data. Ability to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

+ Intermediate business mathematics skills, including numerical ability, accuracy, and calculations. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

+ Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle confidential data with discretion.

+ Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to complete assignments in a timely manner, working productively with a minimum of supervision while balancing demands of concurrent with potentially competing deadlines in an environment with frequent interruptions.

+ Ability to think through problems, organize information, identify factors and underlying causes in order to generate solutions.

+ Ability to work effectively under pressure in varying situations with independence, competent judgment, discretion and tact.

+ Skilled in interpersonal relationships, sound verbal and written communication and ability to deal effectively with a high volume of work and rigid deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Proficiency with University systems: Summit, BuyWays, Concur, PeopleSoft Finance and HR, SPIRE, Kuali, etc.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

+ Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm.

+ 37.5 hours per week.

+ This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the University Staff Association, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University Staff Association collective bargaining agreement, therefore.

Salary Information

USA/MTA Grade 16.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Jun 24 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Sep 24 2024 Eastern Daylight Time