Accountant Senior - Operations; Capital Projects & FPD

Position Overview

The Accountant Senior provides advanced accounting and financial oversight for KU Operations, with a primary focus on Facilities, Planning, and Development (FPD) capital and infrastructure projects. Reporting directly to the Director of Operations Finance, this position serves as a senior member of the Operations Finance team and as the lead accounting resource supporting FPD-managed projects. The role is responsible for complex project accounting, capital financial compliance, and audit-ready financial management throughout the full lifecycle of construction and renovation projects.

The Accountant Senior ensures accuracy, consistency, and adherence to generally accepted accounting principles, university policies, and state and regulatory requirements. The position works closely with Facilities project managers, planners, Procurement, the Comptroller's Office, and central administrative partners to manage funding, contracts, invoicing, and financial reporting for large-scale, high-risk projects. The role exercises independent judgment, prioritizes competing deadlines, and operates effectively with indirect supervision while providing responsive customer service and financial guidance to a wide range of stakeholders.

In addition to project accounting, the Accountant Senior supports organizational efficiency by maintaining strong internal controls, identifying process improvements, and contributing to standardized financial practices across the Operations portfolio. This position works Monday through Friday 8 am – 5 pm.

65% - Accounting:

• Complete project accounting duties for projects complete by Facilities Planning and Development. Work includes budgeting, forecasting, analyzing data from various university sources and software, and procurement FITC training.
• Ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles to execute, analyze, reconcile, verify, and report financial transactions.
• Experience with institutional and state policies, procedures, and restriction to maintain internal controls is desired.
• Review and analyze journal ledger entries, transfer funds, monitor bond funds, and direct year-end and project closeout processes.
• Manage and analyze project budgets, funding, and expenses. Audit large capital construction projects to recover and avoid costs.
• Enter project budgets, purchase orders, and associated costs into Maximo database.
• Reconcile funding issues with project managers, departments, and comptroller. To include routing, processing and tracking payments for professional, ancillary services, construction contracts, and material procurement.
• Communicate with vendors and clients regarding payments and project balances.
• Manage internal FPD departmental invoicing associated with projects.
• Compile legislative report data for year-end reporting, as requested, with support from Budget office and Operations Business office.
• Prepare KBOR project expenditure reports in partnership with other Operations Business Office financial staff.
• Request project related tax exemption certificates.
• Request cost centers and manage new vendor set up.

15% - Data Management/Processes:

• Manage OAC, Maximo database accounting; enter, receive, reconcile and close POs, and project management software. Develop and direct procedures for invoicing and tracking payments and funding along with financial reports.

15% - Contracts Support:

• Prepare, evaluate, review and finalize AIA contracts for FPD. This can also include contract addenda for planning, design, construction management, and construction services.

5% - Other Duties assigned

• Primarily sedentary work, involving sitting for extended periods.
• Occasional walking to different locations within the office or campus.
• Ability to lift and carry light objects, such as files or documents, if needed.