Cost & Effort Management Accountant

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Job Summary

The Campus Controller's Office welcome applications for an Effort & Cost Management Accountant! This position exists to:

• Assure proper stewardship of resources at the University of Colorado Boulder (UCB) in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), State, Federal, and private agency procedures and restrictions, and University rules and regulations.

• Provide centralized final approval for contract and grant payroll expense transfers in a consistent manner as required by applying federal regulations.

• Assure campus compliance with ePERs certifications in accordance to Federal regulations and University policy.

• Provide Contract and Grant level approval in MarketPlace for the sponsored research project purchases over 10k.

• Provide consulting, training, and mentoring to campus personnel on the proper administration of PETs and ePERs, relating to contracts and grants, within the PeopleSoft Financial System and PeopleSoft Human Capital Management. (Assist with new business processes associated in relation to these systems).

• Participate in process improvement initiatives, recommend changes to policies and procedures for the Boulder campus.

• Independently collaborate with campus partners to determine cause of uncertified ePERs reports. Work together to recommend and implement proposed solutions.

• This position works closely with the Department Research Administrators, the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG), CCO staff, and Principal Investigators in the management of sponsored projects. Responsibilities include:

• Compliance controls and reviews of PETs (after-the-fact transfers of salary expense).

• Monitor and review ePERs (electronic Personal Effort Reports) to ensure accuracy and timely certification. Provide customer service to assist employees and PIs with the electronic certification process. Generate follow-up emails to PI's and department for late certifications; responding to email requests for pdf files of ePER forms for employees who don't have system access or those with suitable means of verification.

• Analyze various records to determine why re-certification of ePER is required; provide solutions to the ePER contact in Systems Office when there are technical problems related to an ePER.

• Perform final campus review of PETs for transfers on or between sponsored projects to ensure consistency with applying the Federal regulations and University policies and guidelines.

• Generates and updates documentation and instructions on PETs for campus personnel and provides training to campus users on PETs and ePER.

• Perform customer service when CCO receives emails or phone calls regarding problems; works with departments and individuals to analyze and correct problems with ePERs and PETs.

• Determine what effect salary expense transfers (PETs) will have on ePERs.

• Reviews contract and grant requisitions in MarketPlace (CU purchasing system) for financial and regulatory compliance and approval.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is a leading public teaching and research university serving nearly 36,000 students with a faculty/staff workforce exceeding 10,000. As part of the prestigious Association of American Universities, CU Boulder emphasizes the integration of research achievements into undergraduate education. The Campus Controller role is crucial in supporting this vibrant and dynamic academic community. As a key member of Finance and Business Strategy's leadership team, reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Campus Controller supervises financial operations, ensuring they align with the university's goals and strategic direction.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Process Excellence (identifying, improving, maintaining processes, including metrics)

• Review, and approve on-line payroll expense transfers (PETs).

• Use PeopleSoft and CU mFin Reports to verify project balances, dates, and budget information to ensure transfers meet CU Boulder PET and Cost Transfer Guidelines.

• Ensures proper documentation is provided for PETs; coordinates with department when PETs cannot be approved.

• Ensures we are not violating UCB's effort reporting policy regarding the transfer of salary expense paid on sponsored projects .

• Determines what justification is needed from department administrators and Pl if PET will change distribution on an ePER that has already been certified.

• Use analytical skills to determine if explanation on how the expense benefits the project is adequate. If original salary expense occurred > 90 days prior to PET date, ensures department administrator or Pl supply additional explanation and/or documentation as required.

• Interpret various Uniform Guidance regulations and determine their proper application relative to a wide variety of circumstances and sophisticated issues for payroll and effort reporting on sponsored projects.

• Routinely reviews PO and SPO requisitions awaiting CCO approval for allowability, timeliness, and proper documentation; works with PSC when needed to clarify problems.

• If there is insufficient funding available for the project(s) receiving the purchase, coordinate with department, grant accountant, campus accountant, or OCG to resolve the situation.

• Update desk manual, and provide guidance in updating UCB and CCO policy.

• Communicates with Department Administrators, Procurement Services, Supervisors, PI's and Department Chair, as needed.

• Confers with manager for any exceptional approval to UCB policy.

University Satisfaction (engaging with and training campus staff)

• Monitor ePER status reports for accuracy and timeliness.

• Use reporting tools, (mfin reports and ePERs database) to determine ePER status.

• Contacts PI's and/or departments as needed to get certification of specific ePERs.

• Works with Systems Office for process improvement or correction of technical errors.

• Explains to employee why ePER is reporting <100% effort on their ePER; prioritizes which ePERs need specific follow up and why they need additional attention; helps employee certify the ePER when they need assistance.

• Investigates why there may be a negative salary percentage preventing the ePER from being certified; determines what corrective action is needed and who can do assist.

• Provide contacts to department and PI's that require assistance for a variety of reasons to certify ePERs within the first 60 days after semester ends.

• Work with employee, supervisor, or Pl to get re-certification completed; works with employee or department to explain why a PET has been automatically generated by the System and what action is needed.

• Communicates with Department Administrators when action is needed on overdue or problematic ePERs.

Infrastructure Enhancement (tech requirements, system upgrades & brand identity)

• Use Reporting Tool reports, PeopleSoft, CU Data, InfoEd, and HCM to determine what changes occurred within the financial system that changed the original ePER distribution and created the need for re-certification of the ePER.

• Provide direction to HCM / OUC University staff to improve end user efficiencies.

• Determine if the ePER is reflecting the correct salary distribution for that semester, including all changes and adjustments, analyze and resolve any discrepancies.

• Find ways to improve existing processes to reduce ePER errors and prevent incomplete ePERs.

People Development (developing, retaining, recognizing our staff)

• Provide presentations and trainings to the campus departments and CCO concerning PETs and ePER.

• Participate in Cost Transfer Approvals.

• Cross trains with cost share position for back up when needed.

What You Should Know

Hybrid work schedule offered.

What We Can Offer

The salary for this position is $56,000 annually.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be accomplished. Be strategic. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field.

• One year plus of job-related work experience. Professional level accounting or audit work experience may substitute for the degree on a year for year basis.

• Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

• Ability to evaluate internal controls and understand organizational risk, implementing appropriate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with a "can-do" attitude, perseverance, and a passion for working through others to achieve positive outcomes.

• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people.

• Ability to independently research local and internet-based resources and make judgments based on information obtained.

• Enjoy challenging work.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to collaborate with varying levels of authority.

• Ability to learn and use new software systems.

• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

• Attention to detail.

• Ability to recognize unusual situations, question them and provide alternative solutions.

• Analytical thinking along with the ability to question the logic of information.

• Solid problem-solving skills.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and familiarity/knowledge of Access.

• Familiarity/knowledge of PeopleSoft is desired.

• Experience with accounting and/or research administration.

• Work experience in a higher education environment is desired.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• A current resume.
• A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by April 2, 2024 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu