ACCOUNTANT - BUDGET AND FINANCIAL REPORTING
The University of Wisconsin System, a premier system of public higher education, educates approximately 161,000 students each year and employs 40,000 faculty and staff statewide.
With 13 universities across 26 campuses and a statewide extension network with offices in every county, the UW System is a tremendous academic, cultural, and economic resource for Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.
The Office of Financial Administration has the primary responsibility for the fiscal integrity of the University of Wisconsin System. It is expected to provide a financial environment that is secure, encourages the accomplishment of academic missions, provides timely and accurate information, and assists all levels of management in making prudent financial decisions.
To meet these responsibilities, Financial Administration has organized itself around the following five service categories: Systemwide Accounting and Budget Control; Shared Financial System Operations Management; Financial and Administrative Policy Development; Financial Analysis and Reporting; System Administration Accounting and Budget Control.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Financial Services unit performs the controllership function for the University of Wisconsin System. Under the general supervision of the Assistant Controller, this position assists in areas of accounting, reporting, financial management and budget control of the University’s financial resources. Tasks involve a broad variety of accounting duties relating to monitoring and reconciling UW budget; transferring budget authority systemwide and among institutions; implementation and maintenance of UWSA financial policies and procedures. This position is responsible for preparation of financial statement journals and disclosures for inclusion in the UW System Annual Financial Report.
The performance in this position requires demonstrated ability to apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) reporting standards, familiarity with University of Wisconsin and State of Wisconsin fiscal rules, policies and procedures and participation in UW System financial decision making.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Budget Control and Accounting Functions of the University of Wisconsin System.
Monitor and reconcile allotment authority from the UW System with the State Department of Administration (DOA) Chapter 20 records for a multitude of appropriations with many funding sources (i.e., GPR, SEG, PR-S, PR-F, PR, Annual, Continuing, Sum Sufficient). Identify and explain variances.
- Interpret, train, and consult institution personnel engaged in the maintenance of the institutional budget control function relative to budget programs, rules, funding restrictions, reconciling issues and analysis.
- Analyze and monitor institution and systemwide budgets throughout the fiscal year, advising institutions to maximize use of funding and minimize lapsing in accordance with legislative intent and Board of Regents policy.
- Maintain the opening and closing of the Budget Ledger in SFS.
- Analyze and interpret the operating budget to determine centrally held funding for institutional distribution. Serve as a liaison with the UWSA Budget Office to ascertain the overall annual budget plan and funding intent.
- Develop recommendations to improve budget control within SFS, WISER and STAR financial systems.
- Help develop UW System financial policies and procedures. Assist Institution and System personnel in interpreting and implementing federal, state and UW System financial policies and procedures.
Budget Allocations and Transfers
- Maintain and revise UW System Administrative Policy 308 - Budget Transfers. Interpret and advise institutions on budget modifications. Monitor institution budget transfers for appropriateness, ensure adherence to budget transfer policies.
- Maintain a systemwide budget transfer database for reconciling and budget analysis use. Initiate and process budget transfers for systemwide or inter-institutional activities.
- Use SFS nVision reports to monitor systemwide budget transfers.
- Serve as liaison with UWSA Academic Affairs on budget allocation and transfer matters, interpreting, consulting, monitoring, and training on UW System rules and regulations.
- Serve as liaison with UWSA personnel on budget allocation and transfer matters, advising, consulting, and interpreting financial policies and procedures.
System-wide GAAP reporting for multiple areas of the UW System Annual Financial Report.
- Review campus financial reporting submissions to ensure that computations are accurate, the amounts reported are reasonable, and the submission is in compliance with the GAAP financial reporting instructions and guidelines.
- Compile and consolidate campus financial reporting submissions to prepare GAAP based year-end accounting entries and related financial statement footnote disclosures.
- Reconcile subsidiary ledger system balances and activity to audited financial statement reporting.
- Assist in developing and maintaining policies and financial reporting procedures related to newly adopted GASB accounting pronouncements.
UW System Reporting and Analysis.
- Prepare annual system-wide Program Revenue Overdraft Report for DOA.
- Prepare annual system-wide Prompt Payment Report for DOA.
- Create and develop budgetary analysis for the Vice President for Finance, Associate Vice President for Financial Administration and Assistant Vice President for Financial Administration/Director of Financial Services, as requested.
Electronic Personnel Action Forms (ePAF) Review.
- Review funding and positions on ePAF forms.
- Review, analyze and maintain personnel, funding, and salary changes.
Miscellaneous Activities.
- Provide backup coverage for staff
- Assist in the preparation and analysis of periodic and ad hoc reports for the Board of Regents, System Administration Management, and others.
- Perform other special projects as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field of study from an accredited institution
- Three or more years of experience in accounting or related role
- Experience working with complex automated accounting systems, including database and query and compiling financial information from on-line or web-based financial management and accounting systems
- Experience with the financial close process, including the preparation of journal entries, and the year-end financial audit process
- Intermediate Excel skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- CPA – Certified Public Accountant
- Experience working with the UW System or state
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The UW System is required to conduct a criminal background and sexual harassment check for the selected finalist prior to employment.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
WORK LOCATION
The office location is 780 Regent Street, Madison, WI 53715. Working remotely or a hybrid telecommuting work schedule is an option for this position.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The Accountant – Budget and Financial Reporting (official title: Accountant III, job code: FI003) is a full-time, salaried, exempt, academic staff position. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $60,000 - $80,500 commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.
UW System employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure. Please see this link for total compensation information: UW System Total Compensation Estimator to provide you with total compensation information.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through Sunday, March 12, 2023. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.
- Go to the UWSA Applicant Portal to submit your materials online and select the appropriate applicant portal, either External Applicants or Internal Applicants and click on the position title that you want to apply for.
- Follow the onscreen instructions and be sure to include your salary expectations when asked in our applicant tracking In addition, please be sure to upload ALL THREE of the required documents: resume, cover letter, and references as PDF files. Failing to include any of these documents may disqualify your application.
- Your cover letter MUST specifically address how your education and experience relate to the and qualifications. Be sure to emphasize the areas outlined under “Minimum and Preferred Qualifications”
- Your reference page should include the names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers for three professional references with at least one being from a current or previous
- Submit your application
The University of Wisconsin System Administration is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, minorities, and person with disabilities.
Questions may be addressed to: Angie Koppen, Human Resources, at akoppen@uwsa.edu.