FINANCIAL MANAGER Office of Trust Funds
The University of Wisconsin System is one of the largest systems of public higher education in the country, educating approximately 165,000 students each year and employing 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 Trust Funds is responsible for the administrative oversight of endowment and other investable funds entrusted to the Board of Regents of the UW System. These funds primarily consist of monies that have been gifted directly to a UW institution. The Office reports to and supports the Business and Finance Committee of the Board of Regents, which serves as the ultimate fiduciary and trustee of these investable funds.
The Office of Trust Funds works externally with donors and other related parties, and internally with the benefiting campuses and colleges, to facilitate the receipt and proper use (compliant with donor terms and conditions) of all gifts and bequests. Operationally, the Office is responsible for the deposit of funds, fund- and account-level transaction processing, maintenance of the donor account-level recordkeeping system, and its reconciliation and integration with other accounting systems.
The Office of Trust Funds also works with the Board of Regents, Vice President for Finance, and the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program Advisory Committee (SRPAC) to provide efficient and high-quality record keeping services and investment options to participants in the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program. For more information on this program, see UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Financial Manager position is an Operational Accountant in the role of supporting Investment Operations of The UW System Office of Trust Funds that provides accounting, reporting, and policy services to all institutions in the UW System. The Investment Operations of the Office of Trust Funds encompass a Long-Term Endowment Fund, an Operating Cash Management Fund, and The Regent Fund, a fixed-income portfolio run by students of The Applied Security Analysis Program (ASAP) of the UW-Madison Business School.
The individual in this position provides leadership and accounting expertise in business and investment processes, provides direction and coordination of the team members and activities, demonstrates a high degree of customer support and relationship management, and promotes operational efficiencies The position also maintains investment management compliance within Trust Fund operations. The Trust Funds endowment function also manages over 3,000 individual endowment projects supporting the operations of UW System campuses.
This position assists in managing UW System's complex accounting structure consisting of numerous funds, day-to-day accounting and investment activities, development and maintenance of accounting records, processing of accounting transactions, reconciliation of accounts, and closing of accounting
records. This position is further responsible for preparation of systemwide financial reports and analysis, development and maintenance of complex automated financial systems, development, and implementation of financial policies.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Management, development, and maintenance of accounting records, processing of accounting transactions, reconciliation of accounts, and closing of accounting records.
- Ensure all accounting transactions are recorded accurately using generally accepted accounting
- Ensure all account reconciliations are completed accurately and
- Determine fiscal year end transaction processing to meet closing deadlines and ensure proper closing of accounting
Investment Operations
- Serve as Liaison to operational staff at The State of Wisconsin Investment Board with respect to Investment Operations of the Long Term Fund, the Operating Cash Management Fund and The Regent Fund.
- Interface with the Business Office of UW-Madison and other campuses with respect to supporting management of the Operating Cash Management fund
- Support Investment Operations through monitoring compliance with investment policy statements and other investment guidelines, performance reporting to the Board of Regents, and working with external investment management consultants to support the internal investment committee.
Development and maintenance of accounting policies and procedures around complex automated financial systems.
- Develop accounting policies and procedures for financial transactions including mechanisms to ensure compliance and maintain good internal controls and update content on the UWSA website.
- Develop and maintain accounting procedural manuals and lead training sessions to educate staff in using proper accounting procedure, automated systems, and how to interpret UW System, state, and federal policies.
- Maintain proper internal controls to achieve safeguard of University assets; ensure reliability and integrity of financial information; ensure compliance with University, state, and federal rules, regulations, and guidelines; and promote efficient and effective operations.
- Develop and maintain internal operating policies and procedures that maximizes the use of available accounting technologies and software.
- Stay current on new and emerging technology and determine what changes are needed to improve operational efficiencies
- Coordinate and ensure all testing related to accounting processes is completed for any new automated systems, maintenance packs, and upgrades
Preparation of Financial Reports, Financial Analysis, and Budget Monitoring
- Prepare fiscal year-end financial reports for accrual basis GAAP financial
- Complete periodic financial analysis of financial transactions using queries and reports to ensure consistency, accuracy, and materially correct, including financial information as requested by the Vice President for Finance, Senior Associate Vice President for Finance, Controller and other managers, as
- Ensure tax reporting is completed in accordance with University, state, and federal policies and tax
- Monitor receipts from foreign sources and inform receiving campus of Section 117 reporting requirements as necessary.
Miscellaneous Duties
- Promote a collaborative, positive, teamwork environment with a high degree of customer
- Participate in the recruitment and hiring processes and develop work objectives, performance goals, and priorities for staff,
- Develop staff by providing regular feedback throughout the year and during performance evaluations
- Participate in internal and external professional development offerings to maintain core career/job competencies.
- Develop and maintain an understanding of portfolio theory and asset allocation.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional training in accounting or auditing such as that which would be acquired by earning a bachelor's degree in accounting or auditing from an accredited post-secondary college/university or commensurate experience and training.
- A minimum of three years progressively responsible financial management experience including accounting, financial reporting, and budgeting
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with various levels of University staff and
- Experience in the interpretation, development, and implementation of complex policies, procedures, and rules relating to accounting and internal controls.
- Demonstrated experience in leading a collaborative team environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Extensive knowledge and experience in financial administration and CPA certificate
- Knowledge of and ability to use creative problem-solving
- Supervisory experience
- Interest in and familiarity with Investment Management.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The UW System is required to conduct a criminal background and sexual harassment check for final candidate(s) 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.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The Financial Manager is a full-time, salaried, exempt, academic position. The official title: Financial Manager. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $80,000 - $95,000 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.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through Sunday, October 9, 2022. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.
- Go to the UWSA Applicant Portalto 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 supervisor
- Include a statement of whether you wish to have your application held in confidence or made available to the public upon request. Please note that in the absence of any statement regarding confidentiality, we will assume you do not wish to have your application held in confidence. The UW System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
- 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