Accountant II

Universities of Wisconsin; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is seeking an Accountant II to provide professional accounting, financial reporting, budget monitoring, and financial analysis support for the Lubar College of Business (LCOB).

Reporting to the Divisional Finance Officer, this role serves as a financial resource to College leadership, including the Dean, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, Directors, and other College personnel.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in accounting/finance/business administration.
• At least two years of professional accounting/financial management experience.
• Experience preparing financial reports and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains automated financial systems with controls for data integrity.
• Prepares and approves financial transactions and payments.
• Prepares and analyzes financial data, reports, and records; investigates discrepancies and implements solutions.
• Provides accounting information to internal and external stakeholders according to policies.
• Maintains documentation supporting transactions and reporting.
• Supports budgeting, projections, and fiscal-year activities.
• Collaborates with College and University financial personnel.
• Performs month-end and year-end close activities.

Education

Associate degree or higher in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title:

Accountant II

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Accountant II

Job Duties:

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is the flagship urban campus of the University of Wisconsin System and committed to academic excellence with enrollment of approximately 25,000 students. One of the nation’s top research universities (R-1 status), the Lubar College is a metropolitan business school of national distinction, accredited by the AACSB, and offers BBA, MBA, Executive MBA, MS, and Ph.D. degree programs. Additionally, our MBA and undergraduate programs are ranked regionally and nationally for excellence and the Lubar College hosts one of only five SAP University Competence Centers worldwide. With doctorates from some of the country’s leading universities, full-time faculty bring an impressive range of expertise and are recognized for outstanding achievement in their fields with broad experience in business organizations and governmental bodies. Opportunities for research are abundant in this vibrant metropolitan area with both a strong presence of manufacturing and service operations. Located in southeastern Wisconsin’s commercial and industrial hub, Milwaukee is the third-ranked manufacturing center in the United States and home to 1300+ manufacturing firms and 400+ engineering firms with annual receipts of 24 billion dollars. Milwaukee is a vibrant and diverse area on the shores of Lake Michigan with easy access to beaches, a thriving cultural scene, championship sporting events, an expansive urban parks system, and hundreds of miles of bike lanes and paths. It is in the seventh most affordable metropolitan market in the country and offers a vibrant quality of life in a globally competitive region.

Further information is available at our website: https://uwm.edu/business/

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains automated financial systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity
• Prepares and/or approves financial transactions and payments
• Prepares and analyzes financial data, reports and records, identifies discrepancies, investigates, recommends, and implements solutions as needed
• Answers questions and provides accounting related information to internal and external stakeholders according to established policies and procedures
• Organizes, prepares, and updates financial statements, monthly and year-end journal entries, accounts, ledgers, and reports for various financial needs within an automated financial system to ensure accurate recording and reporting of financial transactions
• Provides and prepares budgets and projections based on existing data and established policies and procedures
• Assists with accounting and reviewing reconciliations, journal entries, schedules, and reports

Position Summary:

The College Accountant provides professional accounting, financial reporting, budget monitoring, and financial analysis support for the Lubar College of Business (LCOB).

Reporting to the Divisional Finance Officer, this position serves as a financial resource to College leadership, including the Dean, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, Directors, and other College personnel.

The Accountant prepares and analyzes recurring and ad hoc financial reports; monitors budgets and financial activity; performs reconciliations; prepares accounting adjustments, costing allocations, payroll accounting adjustments, and journal entries; and assists with budget development, projections, and fiscal-year activities. The position reviews financial information for accuracy and completeness, researches discrepancies, recommends or initiates corrective action, and assists College leadership in understanding the financial status of College resources. This position monitors financial activities across program, gift, and grant fund activities.

This position works collaboratively with financial personnel across both the College and the University.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Reporting, Analysis, and Reconciliation —35%

• Prepare and distribute recurring monthly financial reports for the College and its departments and programs.
• Analyze financial activity, balances, commitments, and trends and communicate significant findings to the Divisional Finance Officer and appropriate College leadership.
• Perform reconciliations of accounts, financial transactions, and supporting records to ensure the accuracy and completeness of College financial information.
• Research discrepancies, unusual transactions, accounting errors, and other financial issues and determine or recommend appropriate corrective action.
• Prepare ad hoc financial reports and analyses to support the Dean, Finance Officer Assist with, Associate Dean, Directors, Divisional Finance Officer, and other College decision-makers.
• Assist in developing and improving financial reporting tools, processes, and documentation.
• Maintain appropriate documentation supporting accounting transactions, reconciliations, and financial reporting.

Budget Monitoring, Planning, and Forecasting — 25 %

• Assist the Divisional Finance Officer with development, monitoring, and management of College and departmental budgets.
• Monitor budget-to-actual results, available balances, commitments, and spending patterns throughout the fiscal year.
• Prepare projections and forecasts of revenues, expenditures, payroll, and fund balances.
• Identify potential budget concerns, funding shortfalls, unusual variances, or opportunities to better utilize available resources and communicate findings to the Divisional Finance Officer.
• Assist College leadership with understanding budgets, financial reports, available resources, and the financial implications of operational decisions.
• Support annual budget development, fiscal-year close, carryforward analysis, and other periodic financial planning activities.
• Assist with tracking and analysis of College funding commitments and other financial obligations.

Accounting Transactions and Financial Operations —30 %

• Prepare and process journal entries, accounting corrections, transfers, and other financial transactions in accordance with University policies and procedures.
• Prepare costing allocations and payroll accounting adjustments to ensure salary and fringe benefit expenses are charged appropriately.
• Review financial transactions and accounting classifications for accuracy, appropriate funding, and compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Research and resolve accounting, funding, payroll, and financial-system issues in collaboration with appropriate College and University personnel.
• Assist with month-end, year-end, and other periodic accounting activities.
• Support the Divisional Finance Officer in maintaining effective financial processes and internal controls within the College.
• Provide accounting guidance and assistance to College faculty and staff regarding financial transactions, reports, policies, and procedures.

Gift Financial Support and Special Projects — 10 %

• Provide accounting support for gift funds, including routine gift financial reporting, monthly Foundation billing, reconciliations, accounting adjustments, and related transactions as needed.
• Participate in College and University financial initiatives, system implementations, process improvements, and special projects.
• Develop documentation and provide guidance or training to College personnel on financial processes and systems.
• Perform other accounting, budgeting, and financial management duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least two years’ professional experience in accounting, budgeting, financial management, sponsored-project administration, or a related area.
• At least one year of experience preparing, reviewing, or analyzing financial reports and financial data.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Two years’ experience in professional accounting, budgeting, or financial management in a higher education, governmental, nonprofit, or similarly complex organization.
• Two years’ experience preparing budgets, financial forecasts, budget-to-actual analyses, or financial projections.
• Two years’ experience performing account reconciliations and preparing accounting transactions such as journal entries, payroll accounting adjustments, or costing allocations.
• Two years’ experience using enterprise financial systems and advanced spreadsheet or data-analysis tools, such as Workday, Microsoft Excel, Power BI, or similar systems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and standard accounting practices.
• Ability to analyze financial information, identify discrepancies and trends, and develop appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to prepare accurate financial reports, reconciliations, journal entries, and other accounting documentation.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities and meet recurring financial report deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to interpret and apply financial policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a financial management team.
• Strong customer-service, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Salary Range:

$70,000-$80,000 (Final salary offer will be determined based on qualifications and experience)

Deadline:

11/19/2026 at 11:59 p.m

Contact Information:

Suha Omari

[e-mail]

Reasonable Accommodations

Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact [e-mail] or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

UWMis a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law.UWMwill not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBCand Reference Check Policy

Employment will require a criminal background check.UWMtakes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For theUWMAnnual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at [phone] for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization

In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.