Accountant

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking an Accountant to join our team! UCCS offers a diverse and inclusive learning environment that fosters innovation, growth, and the holistic development of its students. The work location for this position is on-site. This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery—a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary Range: $48,115 to $62,094 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications.

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education: Avail nine waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

The purpose of this position is to provide customer service, high-level accounting, and administrative support to campus accounting staff and personnel. The position will provide accurate and timely processing of journal entries and reports; review and reconciliation of accounts; compilation, entry, and verification of data and transactions. The position is a member of the CCO team which requires stepping in and up to meet new challenges and duties for the success of the University. The Accountant position interacts with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, including departmental finance and accounting staff, to offer an array of accounting services in strict adherence
to federal, state and local regulations. The primary responsibilities encompass performing professional accounting, providing guidance and interpretation of CU’s fiscal policies and procedures, maintaining meticulous financial records, developing and supporting internal controls. (Controller's Office).

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Review, interpret and maintain compliance with federal and state legislation, rules, regulations, institutional policies and procedures. Examples include Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), GASB, Higher Education Accounting Standards, State Fiscal Rules, University of Colorado Policies, OMB Circulars, grant agreements, etc.

Accounting and Financial Statement Reporting

• Record, classify, and correct various financial transactions.
• Perform accounting period close activities.
• Create reports, including routine financial statements, non-standard and/or ad hoc, for both internal and external audiences.
• Review and approve journal entries and schedules for the Controller’s Office.
• Prepare year-end financial statement exhibit and footnote schedules.
• Transact within the State financial system, CORE.

Financial Statement Analysis

• Reconcile assigned general ledger accounts.
• Analyze data to ensure consistent application of financial policies and procedures.
• Work with campus partners to research, gather and compile cross-functional data.
• Identify irregularities, assess potential impact and recommend proper accounting treatment.

Campus Outreach

• Serve as a financial expert for assigned areas.
• Design and deliver training to campus personnel.
• Understand and review campus departmental operations for compliance with accounting standards.
• Provide consultation and advising to campus personnel on accounting issues, accounting methods and business processes.
• Provide general assistance according to established policies and procedures on procurement processes for procuring goods, services and contracts. Collaborate with CU Purchasing Services Center to recommend, implement and interpret appropriate procedures.

Internal Control and Procedure Development

• Create, evaluate and maintain procedures manual and work instructions for applicable areas of responsibility.
• Maintain appropriate records and documentation for processing efficiencies, financial statement and compliance audits.
• Develop and initiate recommendations for policies and procedures to address University priorities and enhance operations.
• Perform pre and post audits of financial transactions, review and authorize transactions according to policies and procedures.
• Evaluate and process PeopleSoft Chartfield requests and fiscal role assignments.
• Provide oversight and monitoring for campus-wide gift card programs, study subject payments, and petty cash funds.
• Participate in internal and external committees, work with multi-campus teams on system-wide projects.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

(Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.)

• Education: Requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major
  in Accounting. (A combination of year for year experience and education may substitute for a
  Bachelor’s degree, for example an Associate degree and 2 years professional experience)
• Demonstrated experience in process development and improvement.
• Demonstrated customer service orientation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in financial operations (accounting, budget, or data analysis) in higher education.
• Proficiency in COGNOS and PeopleSoft
• Experience with Peoplesoft Financials, CU Marketplace, Concur, COGNOS reporting software.
• Demonstrated public presentation skills

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand and move. Tasks may involve using a computer continuously for long periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by April 8, 2024. However, this posting will remain open until filled.
• The potential dates for interviews with the search committee will be the week of April 15, 2024.
• The potential dates for interviews with the supervisor and appointing authority will be the week of April 22, 2024.
• The potential employee start date is May 15, 2024.

UCCS is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.

UCCS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify our office at hrhelp@uccs.edu.