Fin Pro 1-Fin Gnrlst

Position Overview:

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) in the College of Science and Engineering is seeking a Finance Professional 1 to join our finance team. We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative team player ready to join a culture of excellence. The Finance Professional 1 position will support the department's mission of education, research and outreach. Toward that end, the successful candidate will be assigned the areas of responsibility and accountability listed below. ECE envisions a person who excels at communication, is detail-oriented, and is interested in efficient and innovative processes, and expects the successful candidate will take advantage of the ample opportunities for professional growth and knowledge acquisition that will be provided. This Finance Professional 1 position will work closely with another Finance Professional 1 in a team orientation with overlapping duties that allows for efficient learning on the job, a collaborative environment, and built-in backup for the set of shared responsibilities listed below. In addition, this position works closely with the Department Administrator and three other accounting professionals in a collaborative and rewarding setting. The position is uniquely suited for those looking to learn and eventually advance in accounting and finance at the University of Minnesota.

This position is in-person, with flexibility to work from home two days per week. The salary range for this position is $53,000-$58,000, dependent on the selected candidate's qualifications and skill set. This posting is for two positions.

Duties/Responsibilities
In collaboration with another FP1 staff member, this position is responsible for departmental non-sponsored account strings and pre-award budgeting and project management. The position will approve transactions, manage student group accounts, coordinate ECE Depot (department store) and FedEx reconciliation, and manage other various non-sponsored accounts. The position also works closely with the CSE Purchasing Cluster to ensure prompt processing of purchasing card transactions, purchase orders, voucher payments, and requisitions. This position also serves as a Department journal entry (JE) preparer and coordinates the budgeting process each fiscal year. The position works closely with faculty by developing preliminary budgets and assisting with the grant application process. Opportunities to learn sponsored grant finance administration will be available if interested.

40% Grant proposal preparation and submission

• Under the direction of the ECE Administrative Director and the relevant faculty members, coordinate all ECE proposals by providing guidance, interpretation and advisement during the pre-award and award initiation processes for federal, state, non-profit, corporate, and internal funding opportunities.
• Review sponsor guidelines, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance and provide expert advice to faculty. Develop in-depth knowledge of the pre-award process to ensure proposal document compliance.
• Communicate with funding agencies as needed to clarify policies, procedures, and interpretations of application instructions.
• Assist in budget development for proposals by communicating deadlines, policies, and procedures to relevant finance staff and research faculty.
• Coordinate subaward proposals with other institutions. Submit subaward initiation documents to Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) office, and assist with subaward set-up.
• Prepare, submit, and track proposals using sponsor submission systems (e.g., grants.gov, FastLane, eRA Commons, NIH/ASSIST, etc) and MN-GEMS, the UMN proposal development system.
• Track proposal status and communication with faculty; maintain internal department database of pending and active awards and other support documents.
• Compile and develop templates for common applications, maintain faculty current and pending support records, and ensure proposal document formats meet current requirements and update as needed (e.g., biosketches, other support, etc.)
• Assist accountants in establishing the grant in the department and provide advice to PIs and accounting staff on terms and conditions discovered in the proposal process.
• Ensure a smooth and compliant transition to post-award for successful grants by assisting with grant set-ups and managing requests by sponsors.

40% Account Monitoring, Processing, and Analysis

• Monitor financial results of accounts and funds monthly for reasonableness; review and apply regulations and University policies and procedures; identify areas of concern.
• Serve as liaison to faculty, staff, and Campus Life Program student groups responding to complex accounting questions.
• Receive/initiate and process invoices and check requests.
• Serve as ECE Journal Entry (JE) preparer.
• Analyze spending activity for compliance with University requirements. Identify areas of concern and recommend solutions.
• Keep up-to-date on new policies/procedures and communicate to the department.
• Review requisition requests for accuracy and compliance; audit travel and expense reimbursement to applicable policies and procedures.
• Oversee purchasing card reconciliation and serve as department card administrator (DCA).
• Oversee and monitor expenses related to the ECE Depot and FedEx shipping.
• Serve as point-of-contact for student employees in their work reconciling Chrome River reimbursement requests.
• Audit expenditures. Monitor spending activity on accounts and reconcile account activity on a bi-monthly basis
• Resolve accounting issues identified during reconciliation of ECE Depot and FedEx transactions; prepare journal entries for funding transfers, cross-charges and adjustments/corrections.
• Compile and analyze historical and anticipated revenue and expense data projections.
• Prepare and review data and accounts in preparation for internal and external audits; research discrepancies in accounting data which includes auditing and analyzing fiscal data.
• In conjunction with the lead financial accountant and the department administrator, prepare and submit the annual budget.

10% Financial Approver

• Act as department approver for non-sponsored accounts.
• Evaluate transactions for compliance with financial and regulatory requirements of the sponsor and University.
• Review and approve purchasing requisitions, vendor payments, including subcontract invoices, journal entries, re-budgeting and adjustment requests.
• Participate in continuing education on new policies and procedures.

10% Other Duties Dependent on Needs of Department and Interest of Candidate

• Serve as backup for other accounting team members as needed, with potential to learn grants administration.
• Assist faculty with special initiatives related to research consortium and large research centers and institutes. Depending on skills and interest, this can include managing websites; planning and executing workshops, speaker series, and conferences; and administering special programming related to diversity and outreach.
• Participate in meetings, training sessions, and special projects as needed to contribute to the development, maintenance, and improvement of the Department and College.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years.
• Proficiency with Excel or similar office spreadsheet programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Work experience in a higher education setting and familiarity with University of Minnesota accounting policies, procedures, and systems, including PeopleSoft.
• Excellent communication skill with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment and manage multiple tasks under deadline pressures.
• High level of attention to detail and ability to handle multiple tasks with overlapping deadlines; can re-prioritize tasks as needed

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is one of the largest departments within the College of Science and Engineering. Current research areas include Biomedical and Biological Computation Methods; Devices and Systems; Communications, Signal Processing, and Networking; Computer Engineering, VLSI, and Circuits; Fields, Photonics, and Magnetics; Micro and Nano Structures; Sustainable Energy Systems, Power Electronics and Drives; Systems and Controls. To learn more about the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Minnesota, please visit the department website.

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also 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

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

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. Please submit the following items:

• Cover letter
• 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).