Finance and Accounting Senior Professional
Requisition Number: 71434
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 04-May-2026
Date Posted:
Job Summary
The Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Department at CU Boulder encourages applications for a Finance and Accounting Senior Professional ! This position serves as a financial and administrative resource for the department, providing advanced guidance on a broad range of financial, accounting, and human resources functions that support faculty, staff, students, and research personnel. This position independently manages complex financial transactions and funding portfolios, including research grants, contracts, gift funds, and other funding sources, and regularly interprets and applies university, state, federal, and sponsor regulations to ensure full compliance across diverse and often unique funding scenarios.
In addition to preparing and reviewing complex financial reports, analyzing budget forecasts, and reconciling expenditures, the Finance and Accounting Senior Professional advises department leadership on financial planning and resource allocation, often identifying issues and proposing solutions to non-standard or sensitive financial situations. The position serves as a primary departmental resource, regularly consulted by faculty, staff, and less experienced colleagues for policy interpretation, system navigation, and resolution of complicated fiscal and personnel matters.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) provides a world-class, interdisciplinary research and educational environment to examine the dynamical, physical, and chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere and ocean. A major theme is the establishment of a physical basis for observing, modeling, and understanding climate and global change.
The University of Colorado Boulder is located in a region having the greatest concentration of geophysical researchers in the nation and perhaps the world. The proximity of ATOC to this atmospheric and oceanic science excellence (https://www.colorado.edu/atoc/research/boulder-labs) is the foundation of our unique philosophy and vision, which elevates our department to one of worldwide prominence. The guiding principle of ATOC is to be the focal point for atmospheric and oceanic science education and research training in this geographic region of world-renowned excellence. The University of Colorado, Boulder was ranked number one in atmospheric science in Shanghai Ranking's 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Grant, Contract, and Fund Account Management:
Financial Management:
Independently handle, analyze, and monitor a full range of financial activities across research, general, auxiliary, gift, royalty, and plant funds.
Evaluate complex funding scenarios to ensure compliance with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) principles, state fiscal rules, sponsor regulations, and University policies.
Policy Interpretation and Compliance:
Apply advanced understanding of financial, regulatory, and sponsor requirements to ensure department-wide adherence to fiscal guidelines.
Serve as a primary resource for interpreting policies and resolving compliance-related questions for faculty, staff, and administrators.
Process Development and Continuous Improvement:
Lead the development, refinement, and implementation of internal accounting processes, adapting departmental procedures to meet evolving program, sponsor, and institutional requirements.
Proactively identify procedural gaps, recommend improvements, and guide adoption of new practices.
Post-Award Grant and Contract Administration:
Independently be responsible for post-award management of sponsored projects, including subcontracts, collaborating directly with OCG, the Campus Controller's Office, and external sponsors to resolve complex post-award issues and ensure successful award administration.
Proposal and Pre-Award Support:
Serve as a key advisor during proposal development and pre-award activities, providing guidance on budget preparation, proposal requirements, and regulatory considerations.
Coordinate with campus offices to ensure submission of compliant proposals.
Advanced Financial Reporting and Strategic Analysis:
Prepare and present comprehensive financial reports for department leadership, faculty, and Principal Investigators.
Analyze financial data to forecast trends, identify risks, and make recommendations to inform financial decision-making and resource planning.
Departmental Collaboration:
Serve as a key departmental liaison, regularly collaborating with university-wide offices such as OCG, Campus Controller's Office, Procurement Service Center, Human Resources, and Technology Transfer Office.
Apply working knowledge of university-wide policies to support departmental needs.
Problem Solving and Independent Judgment:
Resolve complex and non-standard financial, contractual, and administrative challenges.
Analyze unique financial scenarios, assess potential risks, and exercise independent judgment to develop solutions that balance compliance, operational needs, and funding requirements.
Resource Liaison and Advisor Role:
Act as a resource and advisor to faculty, administrators, and less experienced staff, providing guidance on financial processes, systems, and policy interpretation.
Frequently approached to resolve complex or sensitive financial and operational questions.
Communication of Complex Financial Concepts:
Routinely communicate complex financial, regulatory, and procedural information to a diverse audience, including department leadership, faculty, administrative staff, and external partners.
Translate complex data into actionable insights to support informed decision-making.
Research Administration:
Account Reconciliation and Financial Analysis:
Conduct comprehensive monthly reconciliations and financial reviews for assigned accounts.
Exercise independent judgment to analyze discrepancies, recommend and process cost transfers, correct errors, and ensure expenditures align with sponsor, department, and university requirements.
Serve as the primary point of contact for resolving account-related inquiries and providing financial guidance to faculty and administrative staff.
Payroll Oversight and Process Leadership:
Independently handle and maintain payroll funding entries for research personnel, developing and implementing internal processes, due dates, and protocols to ensure accurate and timely payroll activity.
Coordinate directly with faculty and PIs to secure necessary funding documentation, resolve discrepancies, and ensure compliance with departmental and university payroll standards.
Hiring and Compliance Oversight:
Independently run and be responsible for the hiring process for undergraduate and graduate research assistants, visiting scholars, and research faculty.
Provide expert guidance on standard processes and policy interpretation to ensure compliance with university, state, and federal regulations, serving as a key resource to department faculty and staff throughout the hiring process.
International Research Personnel Coordination:
Partner with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to ensure international scholars are properly onboarded.
Provide expert-level support in navigating visa requirements, immigration documentation, and compliance matters, proactively advising faculty and departmental leadership on evolving international employment regulations.
Proactive Fund Management and Strategic Resource Allocation:
Continuously monitor fund balances and proactively assess the need for adjustments to funding sources for research personnel.
Independently evaluate funding availability, recommend funding reallocations, and ensure appropriate financial resources are secured prior to authorizing new research hires.
Act as a resource to faculty and leadership in financial decision-making related to research funding.
Departmental Representation and Engagement:
Represent the department in campus-wide discussions related to research administration and research personnel, collaborating with campus partners to resolve complex administrative or compliance issues impacting research operations.
Complex Problem Solving and Risk Management:
Regularly analyze and resolve complex or non-standard personnel and financial situations, exercising independent judgment to balance department needs with compliance requirements and funding constraints.
Anticipate potential risks and recommend process improvements to minimize compliance issues.
Communication of Complex Financial and Administrative Concepts:
Routinely translate complex financial, regulatory, and administrative information into clear guidance for faculty, staff, and other partners.
Serve as a departmental resource for policy interpretation, system navigation, and procedural guidance across multiple administrative areas.
Resource Liaison and Advisor Role:
Serve as a resource and advisor to faculty, leadership, and less experienced administrative staff, providing guidance on complex research administration processes, financial compliance, and personnel management.
Procurement, Travel, and Expense Reimbursement:
Procurement Oversight and Compliance Leadership:
Independently handle complex purchasing requests, applying expert knowledge of department-specific needs, sponsor requirements, and university, state, and federal procurement regulations.
Serve as a primary resource to faculty, staff, and administrators on procurement policies, ensuring compliance while supporting departmental goals and research objectives.
Purchasing Authorization and Documentation Review:
Review and approve purchase transactions, including capital equipment and specialized scientific acquisitions.
Exercise independent judgment in verifying documentation, assessing authorization accuracy, and ensuring financial and regulatory compliance for each purchase.
Budget Monitoring and Resource Management:
Proactively supervise budget pools for procurement and travel expenditures, regularly evaluating funding availability, identifying potential shortfalls, and recommending adjustments to avoid over-expenditures and ensure optimal resource utilization.
Travel and Expense Reimbursement Administration:
Oversee complex travel arrangements, reimbursements, and expense transactions.
Provide expert guidance to faculty, PIs, and staff, ensuring adherence to university-wide policies, federal guidelines, sponsor-specific rules, and department standards.
Process Improvement and System Optimization:
Lead the evaluation and enhancement of procurement, travel, and reimbursement processes.
Analyze existing workflows, identify inefficiencies, and recommend system or procedural improvements to increase accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
Invoice Management and Financial Reconciliation:
Independently oversee the processing, authorization, and tracking of vendor invoices and payments.
Resolve complex payment issues and serve as a primary contact for vendors and campus partners regarding payment and collection inquiries.
Problem Solving and Independent Decision-Making:
Regularly address and resolve non-standard procurement, travel, and financial issues that require creative problem-solving and expert judgment, balancing departmental needs, compliance standards, and financial constraints.
Advisory Resource to Department and Faculty:
Act as a primary advisor to faculty, principal investigators, and administrative staff on procurement, travel, and financial transactions.
Guide others in navigating complex or sensitive purchasing and reimbursement situations, often serving as a resource to less experienced staff.
Policy Interpretation and Collaboration:
Serve as a key departmental representative in discussions with campus partners (Procurement Service Center, Controller's Office, Sponsored Projects, etc.), interpreting policies and resolving complex procurement and financial matters that impact departmental and sponsored research operations.
Communication of Complex Financial Concepts:
Routinely communicate complex procurement, travel, and financial policies to a broad range of faculty, staff, and external partners, translating technical requirements into clear, actionable guidance to ensure compliance and informed decision-making.
Administrative Support:
Internal Shared Document System:
Support and collaborate in the enhancement of the department's shared internal documents, ensuring they remain up-to-date, user-friendly, and aligned with the latest best practices.
Inventory Control and Sponsor Compliance:
Oversee a portfolio's inventory management by coordinating with PIs, the Building Manager, and department leadership to maintain current, accurate records that meet university, federal, and sponsor audit requirements.
Independently assess inventory compliance and resolve discrepancies or documentation issues as they arise.
Communication and Stakeholder Support:
Communicate complex administrative processes, system requirements, and policy interpretations to faculty, staff, and students.
Serve as an advisor to less experienced staff on administrative procedures, documentation standards, and university policies.
Other/Projects:
Other duties as assigned that support the department's finance and accounting operations.
What You Should Know
Hybrid Schedule: At least 3+ days a week on campus per campus and college policies and guidelines.
This can be subject to change based on the business needs of the department.
Standard Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Monday - Friday
Employee may be expected to be on campus Monday-Friday during onboarding, training, and/or professional development events/meetings.
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range for this position is $67,600-$70,000.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder (https://www.colorado.edu/) , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package (https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/benefits) includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage (https://advantage.cu.edu/campus/cu-boulder) program.
Be Statements
Be collaborative. Be dynamic. Be Boulder.
What We Require
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for the degree requirement.
3+ years of related experience in administration, business, finance, or a related field.
What You Will Need
Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple priorities and due dates.
Written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex policies and procedures.
High degree of professionalism and ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive information.
Demonstrated ability to proactively analyze issues so as to foresee possible problems or concerns that may arise and to develop proactive solutions and initiate related action.
Ability to establish/maintain positive and cooperative working relationships within the department and with outside units.
Proficiency with CU systems (PeopleSoft Finance and HR, Concur and Cognos reporting), including those used for sponsored grant management, is a plus. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).
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 May 4th, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs. (https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/)
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Finance-and-Accounting-Senior-Professional/71434 (https://apptrkr.com/7094903)
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The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
