Senior Accountant

University of Colorado; Aurora; Hybrid; CAD 68,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent academic institution is seeking a detail-oriented Senior Accountant to support federal financial accounting and compliance. This role involves managing financial records, processing LOC invoicing, and collaborating with the accounts receivable team. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of accounting experience are encouraged to apply. This position offers a hybrid work schedule, numerous professional development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package, making it an ideal opportunity for those passionate about higher education finance.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Medical and dental insurance

Tuition assistance program

Generous paid time off

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or accounting from an accredited institution.
• At least two years of professional accounting experience.
• Experience working with financial statements and financial transactions.

Responsibilities

• Manage federal Letter of Credit (LOC) draws for federally funded projects.
• Process LOC invoicing and reconcile federal system data with internal queries.
• Collaborate with the AR team to resolve accounting issues.

Skills

Analytical skills

Customer service skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or accounting

Tools

PeopleSoft

Microsoft Excel

Job description

University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz

Department: Financial Services – Office of Grants and Contracts

Job Title: Senior Accountant

Position #:00213468 – Requisition #:38938

Job Summary

The Office of Grants & Contracts is seeking a detail‑driven, analytical, and collaborative Senior Accountant to support complex federal financial accounting, reconciliation, and accounts receivable functions. This role plays a critical part in ensuring compliance with federal requirements, maintaining accurate financial records, and supporting the university’s sponsored project portfolio.

If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment, enjoy solving intricate accounting puzzles, and want to contribute to impactful research and education initiatives, this position offers a meaningful and challenging opportunity.

Financial Accounting & Reconciliations (75%)

• Manage federal Letter of Credit (LOC) draws for projects funded by HHS (primarily NIH), the Department of Education, and the National Science Foundation.
• Process LOC invoicing through PeopleSoft and validate draw amounts by reconciling federal system data with internal queries.
• Upload or enter draw data into federal systems to ensure timely deposits to OGC clearing accounts.
• Reconcile billable draws to cash balances in collaboration with Post Award Managers.
• Complete quarterly LOC reconciliations, ensuring alignment between federal authorizations and university records.
• Run exception queries for Fixed Rate contracts, analyze discrepancies, and correct accounting errors within the GL and AR modules in PeopleSoft.
• Process returns for LOC projects through federal systems or manual payment processes, including required correspondence.
• Execute monthly and ad‑hoc financial aid draws for the Department of Education and coordinate with the Financial Aid Office on updates, reconciliations, and balance inquiries.
• Perform monthly reconciliations of OGC clearing projects, including undistributed receipts and items pending identification.
• Support fiscal year‑end activities, including reviewing clearing account balances, preparing reclass entries, and determining manual revenue recognition needs for federal financial aid projects.
• Assist with additional year‑end revenue entries as needed.

Accounts Receivable (25%)

• Collaborate with the AR team to resolve issues identified through OGC clearing reconciliations.
• Review and approve journal entries submitted by OGC AR Specialists.
• Monitor clearing accounts for historical or unresolved items, ensuring timely return of unidentified payments.
• Serve as a backup to the AR team, including:
  • Researching and identifying incoming funds, logging payment details, and applying payments in PeopleSoft.
  • Reviewing payment postings for accuracy and coordinating corrections based on clearing account findings.
  • Responding to customer service inquiries from departments, campuses, and sponsors regarding payment activity.
  • Preparing journal entries to transfer funds related to non‑sponsored projects or other campuses.

Work Location

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 2 days per week on campus and as needed for training and in‑person meetings.

Why Join Us

This exciting opportunity gives you the chance to:

• Participate in professional development opportunities to grow your career.
• Build relationships with other departmental staff, focused on understanding needs along with opportunities for improving processes.
• Partner with other financial staff in developing key financial performance tools and share them with departmental stakeholders.
• Become part of a department where inclusiveness and culture are valued.
• If interested, you can earn a master’s degree at a greatly reduced rate through our Employee Tuition Assistance Benefit program.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in business administration, business, finance, accounting, or a directly related field from an accredited institution. Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.
• At least two (2) years of professional level accounting, billing, accounts receivable, or accounts payable experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in a Higher Education Institution or State of Colorado Agency.
• Experience working with University of Colorado systems, reporting, finance, and PeopleSoft System.
• Experience reviewing financial statements and financial transactions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of basic accounting principles.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite applications (Excel, Access, and Word).
• Excellent time and workflow management skills.
• Ability to work positively as part of a team.
• Detailed working knowledge of higher education billing and receivables systems.

How to Apply

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest (cover letter) describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.

2. Resume or Curriculum vitae

Questions should be directed to: Sean McBride – [e-mail]

Screening of Applications Begins

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by February 17, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as: $50,647 - $66,800

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.

ADA Statement

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [e-mail].

Background Check Statement

The University of Colorado Anschutz campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.