Lead Accounts Receivable Specialist

Title: Lead Accounts Receivable Specialist
Job code: 8224AA - Fin Pro 4-AP and/or AR
Employee Group: Civil Service
Full/Part Time (FTE): Full-time (1.0)
Regular/Temporary: Regular

Join University Finance at the prestigious University of Minnesota as a Lead Accounts Receivable Accountant and play a pivotal role in our Sponsored Financial Reporting team. As a member of this dynamic team, you will be responsible for providing direction, interpreting sponsor agreements, and acting as a go-between with other university departments and sponsors for the SFR payment application, collections, and closeouts teams. Your excellent negotiation and persuasion skills as well as your attention to detail, time management, and organizational skills will be essential in ensuring amounts owed to the University are paid. Your critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills will be useful when researching payment issues. Your excellent communication skills will come into play as you liaise with university departments and sponsors. Join us at the University of Minnesota and make a meaningful impact as you support world-class research.

Location and Work environment: McNamara Alumni Center, 200 SE Oak St, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Hybrid work environment (minimum 3 days in office).

Primary Responsibilities:

Lead Responsibilities (30%)

• Provide direction, interpret sponsor agreements, and act as a go-between with other university departments and sponsors for SFR payment application, collections, and closeout teams.
• Serve as lead trainer for SFR payment application, collections, and closeouts teams to include EFS as well as University/SFR processes, policies and procedures.
• Be involved in process improvement initiatives, including providing expert knowledge, system testing, drafting procedures, and training.
• Handle returned items entry.
• Supervise student worker(s).
• Serve as backup to Finance Manager.

Reconciliation of balance sheet accounts (25%)

• Conduct balance sheet reconciliations for assigned sponsored balance sheet accounts by the specified due date.
  • Work with appropriate department to resolve discrepancies.
  • Record program income and TIP income on appropriate sponsored projects and communicate completion to appropriate SFR accountant.
• Prepare assigned institutional year-end financial schedules for sponsored activity.
• Explain account fluxes as requested by Accounting Services.

Letter of Credit (LOC) draws (25%)

• Process LOC draw requests in appropriate federal agency system (including non-sponsored USDA draws).
• Communicate and work with internal and external parties to address any funding and/or award set-up issues.

Oversight (10%)

• Run assigned oversight queries and address issues identified by the specified due date.
• Ensure all maintenance/transfer worksheets are posted or deleted prior to month-end.
• Monitor (old) sponsored projects to determine the necessary actions to perform for closeout in EFS.
• Monitor On Account payments and assist payment application accountant in determining appropriate payment application.

Miscellaneous and other duties as assigned (10%)

• Pull backup documentation for audits as requested.
• Act as a backup for payment application accountant and assist with cash application and maintenance worksheets as needed.
• Act as a backup to the closeouts accountants and reopen awards/projects in EFS for closeout entries as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS Degree and at least five years of related work experience OR a combination of related education and work experience to equal nine years.
• Experience with financial software and systems, such as ERP systems, spreadsheet software, and financial reporting tools.
• Understanding of accounts receivable and collections principles and practices.
• Ability to review and analyze financial data and reports accurately and efficiently.
• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, and ability to contribute to DEI initiatives within the team and the university community.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to interpret contract terms.
• Understanding of fund accounting.
• Reconciliation experience.
• Experience with training others.

SFR provides consistent and high-quality financial stewardship of sponsored awards in order to maintain research excellence at the University of Minnesota.

Pay Range: $70000 - $75000, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

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

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

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.

Priority Deadline Note: The application review will begin on 02/23/26

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).