Accountant, Financial Operations & Shops

Requisition Number: 75310

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City:
Boulder

State:
Colorado

Employment Type:

University Staff

Schedule:

Full-Time

Posting Close Date: 20-Oct-2026

Date Posted: 06-Oct-2026

JILA at CU Boulder invites applications for an Accountant of Financial Operations & Shops! This role provides financial management, transaction processing, reconciliation, and financial oversight supporting JILA's research shops and broader financial operations. The position prepares and reviews financial transactions, billing, allocations, reconciliations, and expense documentation; supports accurate and compliant use of university funds; and contributes to financial reporting and process improvement.

The position also provides routine back-up support for payroll and personnel processing in coordination with the JILA Finance Manager and Payroll, Visa & Personnel Liaison.

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.

JILA is a joint institute of the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) located on the beautiful CU Boulder main campus at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Led by the roughly 30 research Fellows, JILA supports eclectic and innovative research programs that foster creative collaborations. The wide-ranging interests of our scientists have made JILA one of the nation's leading physical sciences research institutes.

JILA has a total annual budget of $50 million, with 297 members (including faculty, staff, students, and postdoctoral researchers).

JILA offers a uniquely collaborative and mission-driven environment. The institute has a strong culture of intellectual curiosity, community, and inclusiveness, which provides a meaningful and engaging workplace.

JILA Shops Financial Management

• Prepare biweekly and monthly Shops reports supporting cost allocation to sponsored research and other JILA/CU/NIST speedtypes.
• Prepare monthly Shops billing for internal and external users and resolve shop-materials purchases made by non-JILA departments that require billing back.
• Prepare biweekly shop labor allocations from timesheet data, in coordination with Sponsored Project Specialists, and prepare related journal entries.
• Prepare monthly gas expense allocations and related journal entries.
• Document Shops industry-invoicing processes for usage and labor billing.

Purchasing & Expense Compliance Review

• Review and approve routine Directory purchase requests for fund availability and correct account coding; follow up on discrepancies.
• Review Concur expense reports and procurement card (Pcard) statements for completeness, policy compliance, and correct allocation, including line-by-line receipt reconciliation as needed.

Transaction Processing

• Prepare journal entries, cash transfers, and other financial transactions with required supporting documentation.
• Process cash receipts, deposits, and petty cash; prepare and submit speedtype requests in CU and JILA systems.
• Review subcontract/subaward invoices for budget and account-coding accuracy prior to payment.
• Prepare and process external customer invoices and follow up on outstanding payments.

Reconciliation & Financial Oversight

• Reconcile an assigned set of non-research speedtypes and investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Assume increasing ownership of an assigned speedtype portfolio and provide routine financial recommendations to leadership.
• Prepare ad…