Finance Lead

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan is seeking a Finance Specialist to provide comprehensive financial analysis and budget support for Student Life Budget and Finance (SLBF). The role will partner with department leadership to ensure accurate reporting, budgeting accuracy, and strategic financial guidance.

Hybrid work arrangement available; candidates should have a strong track record in financial analysis, GAAP knowledge, and cross‑functional collaboration within a large university setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of financial analysis or accounting experience.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret financial data, perform data analysis, write reports and effectively present financial data.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial analysis and budget support with strategic insight for SLBF.
• Support all business and finance activities for the department and act as a finance liaison.
• Identify and implement process improvements and efficiencies in financial operations.
• Automate reporting where possible and monitor financial data entries for accuracy.
• Prepare notes to financial statements, balance sheets, and other sub-ledgers.
• Assist in development of departmental accounting policies and internal controls.

Skills

Financial analysis

Data interpretation

Report writing

Communication of financial data

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration or equivalent

Job description

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

Department Summary:

Student Life Budget and Finance (SLBF) supports the Student Life departments of Housing, Dining, University Unions, Conference and Events, University Health Services (UHS), Michigan Recreation and many departments, centers and programs within Student Life. SLBF prepares monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports, prepares annual budgets, data analysis, procurement and accounts receivable support across Student Life. SLBF also facilitates the annual Internal Controls gap analysis process, provides financial system and business process training as well as updates to U of M processes and policies within Student Life.

Position Summary:

This position reports to the Assistant Director Auxiliary Finance Services Student Life Budget and Finance (SLBF), with a functional relationship to student life departments, and supervises a Financial Specialist Intermediate. You will provide the Assistant Director Auxiliary Finance Services SLBF and department Directors with comprehensive, timely and accurate financial analysis and budget support with a strategic insight. In addition, you will be responsible for supporting all business and finance activities for a department, as well as act as a finance liaison with other divisional units. You will also determine and support process improvements and efficiencies in financial operations.

Responsibilities*

10% - Budget Support & Analysis

• Annually, assist with the preparation and distribution of all budget files and supporting documentation for leadership and all department heads. Participate in budget meetings with department managers as assigned. Assist with the preparation of budget scenarios as needed. Maintain comprehensive budget history including rationale behind budget decisions. Represent the department at budget related meetings. Prepare monthly budget spread for salaries, revenues and expenses. Work with leadership and staff to ensure funding agreements are properly recorded in the budget commitment system.
• Assist and review the monthly/quarterly/annual projections including variance analysis and narrative. Meet with department managers to provide updates regarding their budget variances. Work with department managers to identify strategies for keeping future expenditures in line with the budget.
• Review reconciliation of revenues and expenses, including the determination if expenditures are recorded properly
• Work with leadership to automate reporting wherever possible, reduce and/or eliminate reliance on supplemental or shadow financial systems
• Review and monitor entry of financial data (revenue and expenses) into the financial accounting system
• Review and periodically audit accounting entries to ensure the accuracy of the financial statements
• Review consolidated Profit & Loss by using all financial databases available
• Review and/or prepare accurate notes to the financial statements, balance sheet, cash flow, key indicators, Accounts Receivable reconciliation, monthly and quarterly revenue reports, monthly sales tax reporting, monthly and year-end journal entries and other sub-ledgers as part of the financial statements
• Prepare graphs and charts for special reports or events (e.g. Board of Regents, Department meetings)
• Serve as the business and finance process strategic partner for the department. Work with business and finance process leads to ensure work is processed correctly and in a timely fashion. Respond to basic inquiries and complaints
• In consultation with the divisional account management and billing leads, coordinate accounting transactions between the department and other University units including month-end close and upload of monthly Service Unit Billing, Journal Entries and Student Account transactions\
• Prepare ad hoc reporting and analysis by extracting financial data from multiple data sources and assemble data for analysis
• Ensure reconciliations are complete and monitor expenses
• Work with and answer questions from managers and staff from other departments listed above regarding any accounting and financial issues, including the budget and financial reports. Analyze financial data as requested
• Assist in development of departmental accounting policies and procedures
• Periodically audit internal controls for the organization and provide recommendations to management about changes that should be made, facilitate annual Internal Controls Gap Analysis for assigned departments
• Stay informed of all GAAP and University of Michigan's Standard Practice Guides (SPG) changes that will affect financial statement preparation and the accuracy of the financial statements, especially in regards to specific departmental requirements
• Open new project grants and manage all activity
• Work with peer finance managers to get SLBF Auxiliary finances properly reflected

10% - Supervision and other duties

• Provide oversight, assign work and tasks
• Approve monthly timesheet
• Conduct weekly 1:1 meeting, quarterly coaching and feedback and annual evaluation and performance review
• Participate on University, Student Life and departmental committees and workgroups as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelors degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 3 -5 years of financial analysis or accounting experience
• Demonstrated ability to interpret financial data, perform data analysis, write reports and effectively present financial data

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Additional Information

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Relocation will not be offered for this role.

Position Responsibilities Criteria (leadership and behavioral qualities expected in this position):

• Excellent interpersonal communication, written communication, and customer service skills
• Excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills and have a self-starter work ethic
• Attention to detail, a high degree of accuracy, a commitment to confidentiality, and the ability to balance multiple simultaneous projects
• Ability to balance multiple competing priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing demands and priorities
• Ability to work independently and to contribute and collaborate effectively as a team member.
• Ability to take initiative in all areas of responsibility
• Ability to work in a diverse environment and be sensitive to multicultural issues
• Ability to be flexible to changing priorities and work effectively in dynamic environments
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines consistently

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:

Provides financial management, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and analysis support for assigned Student Life departments and business units. Responsibilities include monitoring operating budgets, reviewing financial transactions and reconciliations, preparing financial projections and analyses, supporting internal controls, and ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures. The position regularly provides financial guidance to departmental leadership and supports strategic decision-making through financial reporting and analysis.

Working Conditions:

This is a hybrid position working 40 hours per week Monday through Friday. This position would be in the office on Mondays and Thursdays and remote the other days of the week. A flexible schedule between 7:30 AM and 5 PM may be possible based on business needs.

Physical or other Requirements:

May require being stationary for long periods of time.

Direct Reports:

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.The review and selection process maybegin as early as the eighth day after posting.Thisopening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.