Accounting Operations Lead or Accounting Operations Program Manager

Job Summary:

The Finance Office is seeking a collaborative, analytical, and customer-focused accounting professional to join our team. This position provides advanced technical accounting leadership and professionally oversees key accounting operations within the Finance Office. At the principal level, this role will act as a subject matter expert for the Department and lead campus accounting support functions, including chartfield oversight; reviewing and approving complex accounting transactions; overseeing selected financial reporting, reconciliations, and close activities; and ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements, university policies, and internal controls. This role serves as a trusted advisor to campus departments, strengthens service delivery through training and process improvement, and supervises one Finance and Accounting Professional.

At the program manager level, this role will manage the day-to-day accounting functions and operations of the Finance Office. This includes managing chartfield governance, developing and implementing operational workflows, policies and processes, and independently supervising the accounting operations team. In collaboration with the Assistant Director, this role will make informed recommendations to leadership and effectively translate Departmental strategy into relevant long and short-term objectives for accounting operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the campus accounting support function, serving as the primary resource for accounting guidance, issue resolution, stakeholder consultation, and service delivery.

• Review and approve complex accounting transactions, journal entries, chartfield requests, and organizational structure changes to ensure compliance with GAAP, GASB requirements, university policies, and internal controls.

• Manage financial reporting, reconciliations, and analysis activities by investigating discrepancies, resolving complex accounting issues, monitoring financial activity, and ensuring the accuracy of financial records.

• Coordinate and perform month-end, quarter-end, and fiscal year-end close activities, including account analysis, accrual review, financial reporting, sales tax reporting, and resolution of outstanding items.

• Provide technical accounting expertise and consultative support to campus departments by interpreting accounting requirements, advising on financial matters, and delivering training on accounting policies and procedures.

• Supervise and develop accounting staff through coaching, work prioritization, performance management, quality review, and professional development support.

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve accounting processes, strengthen financial controls, enhance reporting capabilities, and leverage technology and automation to increase operational efficiency and service excellence.

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 2 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

The Finance Office offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. As an Accounting Operations Professional, you'll work on complex accounting and financial management activities, partner with stakeholders across campus, and help shape processes that support effective decision-making and responsible stewardship of university resources.

Join a team that values expertise, innovation, and continuous improvement while providing opportunities to expand your technical accounting knowledge, develop leadership skills, and contribute to initiatives that enhance financial operations across the university.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 15/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Principal Professional Level (Lead):

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

  • Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

• Three (3) years of professional accounting experience which includes financial reconciliations, financial analysis and reporting, journal-entry review, and month-end and fiscal year-end close activities.

Program Manager Level:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

  • Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

• Five (5) years of professional accounting experience including financial reconciliations, financial analysis and reporting, journal-entry review, complex problem resolution, and month-end and fiscal year-end close activities.

• One (1) year of professional experience supervising employees, including assigning and reviewing work, coaching staff, and supporting performance and professional development.

Applicants for both levels must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional accounting experience in higher education, government, the public sector, or another complex organization.

• Experience with an enterprise resource planning system such as PeopleSoft, Workday, Oracle, SAP, or a comparable financial system.

• Experience using financial reporting, business intelligence, or data analytics tools.

• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements, strengthened controls, or workflow automation.

• Experience providing consultative financial guidance and customer support to diverse stakeholder groups.

• Prior experience or familiarity with University of Colorado financial systems, reporting tools, and administrative policies. 

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies:

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, lookup functions, data analysis, and reporting.

• Familiarity with University of Colorado financial systems, reporting tools, and administrative policies.

• Advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, fund accounting, Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements, financial reporting, and internal controls.

• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to identify trends, investigate discrepancies, assess risk, and resolve complex financial issues.

• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively in writing and verbally to financial and non-financial audiences.

• Ability to build collaborative working relationships with employees and stakeholders at all levels of the institution.

• Responsive, solutions-oriented customer service that balances stakeholder needs with accounting standards, university policy, and internal-control requirements.