Finance Professional III

University of Minnesota; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Minnesota is seeking a qualified financial professional to independently manage complex accounting and post-award administration for the Duluth campus and Medical School Institutes. You will advise principal investigators and staff on sponsored and non-sponsored financial activity, ensure compliance, and forecast financial performance.

This role requires strong Excel skills, grant management experience, and proficiency with University systems such as PeopleSoft HRMS, EFS, UM

Qualifications

• BA/BS plus at least four years of professional work experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal eight years.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Familiarity with University systems such as PeopleSoft HRMS, EFS, UM Analytics, ECRT and EGMS.
• Current UMN Certified Approver or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of employment.
• Grant management and accounting experience.
• Ability to interpret complex accounting principles, sponsor requirements, and University policies.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage the financial and post-award administration of assigned sponsored projects, ensuring compliance throughout the award lifecycle.
• Serve as a primary financial advisor and liaison among investigators, Sponsored Projects Administration, and departmental staff.
• Interpret sponsor and University requirements and advise stakeholders on appropriate actions.
• Analyze funding and award circumstances; provide recommendations for administrative requests to sponsors.
• Draft and review financial communications for principal investigators to ensure accuracy and integrity.
• Develop ad hoc, monthly, and annual financial reports; identify financial risks and propose corrective actions.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Grant management

PeopleSoft HRMS

EFS

Analytical skills

Communication

Prioritization

Team collaboration

Education

BA/BS in accounting or related field

Tools

UM Analytics

ECRT

EGMS

PeopleSoft HRMS

Job description

This position independently manages complex accounting, post-award sponsored project administration, and financial activities for assigned Medical School units, including the Duluth campus and Medical School Institutes and Centers. The position serves as a financial advisor and subject matter resource to principal investigators, faculty, administrators, and staff on
sponsored and non-sponsored financial activity.

The position is responsible for analyzing complex financial information, identifying and resolving financial and compliance issues, developing recommendations, and advising stakeholders on appropriate courses of action. The position exercises independent judgment in interpreting University and sponsor requirements, monitoring financial activity and award compliance, forecasting financial performance, and ensuring the appropriate stewardship of University and sponsored funds.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Independently manage the financial and post-award administration of assigned cost-reimbursable and fixed-price sponsored projects, partnering with principal investigators, administrative/lab staff, and other accounting staff to ensure appropriate financial management and compliance throughout the award lifecycle.
• Serve as a primary financial advisor and liaison among principal investigators, Sponsored Projects Administration, Sponsored Financial Reporting, and departmental staff, independently interpreting and communicating University, sponsor, and award-specific requirements.
• Interpret sponsor and University requirements related to PI/staff eligibility, cost sharing, sponsor restrictions, award terms, and other financial and compliance requirements, and advise stakeholders on appropriate action.
• Analyze financial and award circumstances and provide recommendations regarding administrative requests to sponsors, including rebudgeting, no-cost extensions, changes to key personnel, carryover of unspent funds, budget shortfalls/overruns, and subaward activity.
• Advise, draft, and review financial communications submitted on behalf of principal investigators to ensure accuracy, compliance, and financial integrity.
• Develop and analyze ad hoc, monthly, and annual financial reports for assigned grants, projects, and programs. Independently identify areas of financial or compliance concern, determine potential solutions, provide documentation for audit purposes, and recommend courses of action to principal investigators and unit leadership.
• Lead financial discussions with principal investigators regarding award status, projections, financial risks, compliance concerns, and recommended actions.
• Advise principal investigators on appropriate payroll distributions and labor charging based on award budgets, anticipated activity, and applicable requirements.
• Coordinate effort certification for assigned faculty and sponsored projects and identify and resolve discrepancies or compliance concerns.
• Monitor assigned awards for financial and compliance concerns, including FCOI, RCR, Other Support documentation, and requirements related to human subjects or vertebrate animals, and coordinate resolution of identified issues with appropriate stakeholders.
• Review and approve expenditures using independent judgment to determine compliance with University and sponsor requirements; forecast future spending; identify financial risks or potential deficits; and proactively develop and communicate recommendations for resolution

45%: Unit Forecasting, Budgeting, and Reporting

• Independently develop and analyze monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc financial reports and projections for assigned departmental and faculty non-sponsored chart strings. Identify trends, risks, and areas of concern and advise departmental stakeholders on potential solutions and financial strategies
• Develop University budgets in collaboration with unit stakeholders, using financial analysis, historical activity, anticipated needs, and available resources to inform budget recommendations.
• Advise assigned units regarding external financial reporting requirements and coordinate completion as necessary.
• Serve as a financial subject matter resource to faculty, administrators, and staff regarding University policies and procedures related to purchasing, travel, justification preparation, p-card use, and other financial and regulatory activities. Interpret requirements and advise stakeholders on appropriate courses of action.
• Independently review and approve financial transactions, exercising judgment to determine allowability, appropriate funding sources, and compliance with University requirements.
• Monitor and analyze spending activity on assigned chart strings, reconcile financial activity, identify discrepancies or emerging financial concerns, and determine appropriate corrective action.
• Independently investigate and resolve accounting issues identified through financial review, including determining when journal entries, payroll distribution changes, billing adjustments, or other corrective actions are necessary.
• Analyze funding sources and financial activity to determine appropriate payroll distributions and labor charging.
• Serve as a primary financial partner to assigned department administrators, faculty, and staff, communicating regularly regarding budgets, forecasts, financial risks, compliance requirements, and recommended actions.

5%: Other Duties as Assigned

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS plus at least four years of professional work experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal eight years.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Familiarity with University systems such as PeopleSoft HRMS, EFS, UM Analytics, ECRT and EGMS
• Current UMN Certified Approver or ability to obtain certification within 12-months of employment
• Grant management and accounting experience
• Demonstrated ability to independently interpret and apply complex accounting principles, sponsor requirements, and University policies, procedures, and guidelines to sponsored and non-sponsored financial activities..
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage priorities, coordinate multiple assignments simultaneously, and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively to financial and non-financial audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated customer service experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong technical, problem solving and process improvement skills
• Analytical skills, ability to gather, organize and present data in a meaningful way
• Experience managing finances for units with diverse funding sources to include: forecasting, analysis, budgeting, and complex reporting.
• Experience with federal granting agencies to include budgeting

About the Department

Committed to innovation and diversity, the Medical School educates physicians, scientists, and health professionals; generates knowledge and treatments; and cares for patients and communities with compassion and respect. We value excellence, inclusiveness, collaboration, and discovery.

The mission of the regional campus located in Duluth is to be a national leader in improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural Minnesota and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. In partnership with CentraCare, the regional campus in St. Cloud offers a wide range of patient experiences throughout students' education in Greater Minnesota and prepares them to become exceptional clinicians and leaders for rural and immigrant populations.

Founded in 1888, the University of Minnesota Medical School has three campuses. A four-year MD program and the MD/PhD program are located on the Twin Cities campus in addition to MD programs at regional campuses in Duluth and St. Cloud.

Pay and Benefits