Finance and Accounting Senior Professional

Senior Finance And Accounting Professional

The Senior Finance and Accounting Professional serves as a departmental lead for financial management, bringing advanced expertise in accounting and fiscal administration to the Department of Biochemistry. This position manages highly complex, sensitive, and non-standard financial matters across diverse research grants, contracts, auxiliary funds, and departmental accounts.

As a senior-level resource, this position not only ensures compliance with GASB principles, state fiscal rules, and University of Colorado policies, but also provides strategic guidance, advanced problem-solving, and mentorship to less senior staff. The Senior Finance and Accounting Professional collaborates closely with faculty, Principal Investigators, department leadership, and campus partners to safeguard fiscal integrity, enhance processes, and anticipate risks while advancing the Department's research and academic mission.

This role requires exceptional judgment, analytical acumen, and the ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to diverse audiences.

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.

The Biochemistry Department is renowned for its research. The faculty include a Nobel Laureate, 5 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 3 Howard Hughes Investigators, and many other esteemed scientists who have established themselves as research leaders. In 2022, the Biochemistry Department had external awards of $39,797,430 and during from  the department published over 800 articles in scholarly journals. Overwhelmingly, these papers include graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduates as coauthors.

Pre-Award Financial and Administrative Duties

• In partnership with OCG, advise faculty on proposals and awards, including budgets, forms, and regulatory requirements; proactively identify potential issues and recommend solutions.
• If requested by the PI, draft the budget justifications for proposals.
• Communicate proactively with the Department Chair and Manager of Finance and Operations for large and complex proposals to ensure awareness for unit planning purposes.
• Provide detailed financial information to the Department Chair and Manager of Finance and Operations regarding proposal cost share requests.

Post-Award Financial and Administrative Duties

• Lead the oversight and analysis of all assigned research funds; ensure full compliance with GASB principles, state fiscal rules, sponsor regulations, and University policies.
• Maintain an awareness and understanding of award terms and conditions within the assigned research portfolio.
• Prepare and convene project kick-off meetings with Pl and key research personnel when new awards are processing.
• Communicate with the Pl on a regular basis to ensure the financial aspects of the award are proactively managed.
• Maintain knowledge of OCG and CCO/RFS workflow for project set-up.
• Design, refine, and implement internal accounting procedures to meet evolving contract and grant requirements.
• Perform sophisticated post-award management, including subcontracts, indirect cost verification, corrective transfers, and grant closeouts using advanced discretion.
• Reconcile and forecast project expenditures and to avoid overspending. Communicate critical financial data to PIs, other research personnel, Department Chair, and the Manager of Finance and Operations.

General/Ad Hoc Financial and Administrative Support

• Lead the oversight and analysis of all assigned general, auxiliary, gift, royalty, and plant funds; ensure full compliance with GASB principles, state fiscal rules, sponsor regulations, and University policies.
• Mentor and guide junior staff by providing training, onboarding, and support in resolving complex fiscal scenarios.
• Serve as a senior liaison with campus units;
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