Finance Pro 1-Finance Generalist

Position Overview:
This position works within the Office of Finance and Budget in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), in support of assigned academic, administrative, and programmatic units. The primary responsibility will be to units within the Division of Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (ESPM), but may support units in
other areas as needed. This position provides grants management and accounting support to the units served and is expected to demonstrate ethical and respectful behavior in all position responsibilities. Customer service is a key focus for the CFANS Finance and Budget Office as we work to support the academic mission of the college.

This position is a critical team member in Finance Cluster in CFANS. This position is located on the St. Paul Campus and will report to the ESPM finance supervisor. Responsibilities will include the following:

Grants Management 30%

• Assist Faculty and P&A staff on grant proposals, budget development and MN GEMS preparation/approval and routing for sponsored projects
• Works closely with SPA/SFR to set up grants and subcontracts, assist with no-cost extension requests, rebudget requests, and close out of grants.
• Regular communications with grant PIs providing budget expertise, financial reporting and policy and procedure interpretation
• Analyze issues related to a specific grant, PI, type of charge; make recommendation to ameliorate the issues
• Processes subcontract invoices to ensure timely payments.
• Work closely with internal centers to create child accounts and manage projects across departments, involving providing expertise to other finance teams regarding reporting, policy, etc from the centers and prime sponsors
• Serve as backup for pre/ post award across the ESMP team in time of absence, sponsor deadline, overload

Budget and Financial Management 30%

• Timely, complete, and accurate maintenance of departmental chart of accounts, in reporting systems and ad hoc.
• Annual budget planning, prep, and completion
• Ensures that non-sponsored accounts are appropriately managed within the assigned college units.
• Manages O&M, State Special, research and extension, sales & services, unrestricted, and UM Foundation accounts for the units served
• Collect or download data from balance reports, databases or spreadsheets as necessary to meet reporting needs within the units served by the finance and budget service team
• Prepares reports for grants and non-sponsored funds as requested; Trains unit staff to use UM reports when appropriate to meet their needs
• Analyze trends and make projections for future funding and expenditures, including payroll encumbrances, etc.
• Works within the team to provide information and coaching to ensure consistent process and communications.
• Ensure compliance with University policies and procedures in all tasks
• Perform the monthly reconciliation of accounts, ensuring that any variances are explained and appropriately handled by working closely with the other units within the University as necessary to resolve issues
• Perform monthly eStatement review to ensure University internal services transactions are valid.

Accounting Services 30%

• Use EFS for deposits on behalf of the ESPM units
• Use EFS/HRMS to analyze data from various modules
• Use PEAK TDX to request journals, retro, distribution changes on behalf of each unit
• Use ChromeRiver to review, validate, and approve reimbursements for assigned units.
• Scholarship entry
• Abstract review and payroll verification with dept AD's
• Serve as a resource for financial policies and procedures and determination of next step(s)

Unit Administration 10%

• Ensure compliance with University policies and procedures in all tasks
• Participate as a team member on assigned special projects
• Serve as backup for other team members and/or for unit-level staff in times of overload, absence or turnover
• Continue professional development through attendance of courses, workshops, and other meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years
• Experience in managing sponsored projects.
• Experience with Excel, Word, Google Drive, and PeopleSoft Financials
• Experience in spreadsheet development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Academic environment experience.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Numbers oriented.
• Ability to identify who needs to deal with situations and contact those individuals as needed.
• Able to identify many variables with many options and explain various outcomes of each situation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service while maintaining compliance with University and federal policies and procedures.
• Experience with MN GEMS and TDX

Pay Range: $26.50 ($55,120) - $29 ($60,320) depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).