Financial Accounting Analyst III

The Controller’s Office manages the overall accounting and treasury service operations of the University in accordance with Federal, State, and University policies and procedures. This includes managing internal controls to mitigate risk; ensuring that the official accounting records of the University are current and accurate; safeguarding the assets of the University to minimize risk of financial loss; and developing and maintaining robust costing systems and reporting tools to provide high-quality financial information that supports schools, colleges, departments and the University’s strategic management initiatives.

Position Summary

The Financial Accounting Analyst position plays a critical role in supporting schools, colleges, departments, the central budget office and other accounting offices. The position provides high-level oversight of operational accounting tasks, technical support, reporting & analysis functions, and policy service to university stakeholders. This position assists in managing the complex accounting structure of the University which consists of numerous funds, day-to-day accounting activities and closing accounting records. This position is also responsible for analysis of the financial status (budget to actual) of various schools, colleges, and departments.

Essential Functions

In addition to following the University of Denver’s policies and procedures, principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to organize, develop, and analyze budget to actual financial data and concisely present variance information to peers and executive leadership, including options to balance budgets, on a university-wide basis.
• Employees at this level perform complex, specialized budget-to-actual forecasting procedures, accounting entries, reconciliations, irregular and unusual transactions, and problem resolution and/or advise University staff engaged in budgeting, cost accounting or other fiscal operations/functions.
• Successful candidates develop non-standard reports and statements requiring interpretation and analysis of trends for management. Responsibilities extend beyond accounting system maintenance to the solution of complex managerial challenges unique to schools, colleges, and departments.
• Consistently serves as a technical resource for financial systems & data analysis for university schools, colleges, and departmental financial colleagues.
• Review forecasting and reconciliation of University-Wide departmental accounts.
• Recognize complex and unique issues and develop resolutions and/or consult with leadership to achieve optimal solutions.
• Independently resolve complex problems for which no clear precedent exists within the current systems or implement new accounting processes/structures.
• Research, analyze and ensure implementation of new and/or changing budget, forecast, accounting, and reporting systems.
• Provide financial and accounting training and consultation related to new systems and/or reporting methodology and ensure the development of related policies and procedures.
• Recommend actions or alternatives to be taken by management when accounting data discloses unfavorable trends, deviations from budget or financial mismanagement.
• Make risk assessment of systems of internal control and develop/recommend improvements/changes. Independently resolve and/or develop recommendations for complex issues and problems.
• Serve as a resource for others in anticipating and resolving issues and problems.
• Convey concise, comprehensive, and accurate findings on matters of a complex nature in written form.
• Conclusions and recommendations are based on professional knowledge and judgment.
• Convey issues of a complex nature in a clear, concise, and organized manner.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills to engage and mentor other University business staff.
• Communicates clearly and informatively both verbally and in writing to develop strong working relationships with the University business and finance community.
• Ability to complete tasks and assignments with minimal supervision.
• Strong budget and accounting background, attention to detail, ability to reconcile general ledger accounts, demonstrate critical thinking, and general business and computer skills.
• Demonstrate a proficient level of professional skill and/or knowledge in accounting and keep current with developments and trends.
• Knowledge and ability to use applicable information technology systems to meet work needs.
• Monitor and collect data to assess accuracy and integrity; analyze data; ensure compliance with applicable standards, rules, regulations, and systems of internal control; interpret and evaluate