Accountant III

Job Summary: The Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FPM) is a full-spectrum service organization that builds, maintains, and operates the physical environment of the UW-Madison campus in support of the university's education, research, and outreach activities.
FPM works behind the scenes to coordinate campus planning, manage design and construction, maintain and operate buildings and grounds, supply utility services, ensure health and safety, and provide parking and transportation services.
Under the direction of and reporting to a Financial Manager, the Accountant III will support stakeholders in a variety of functions with an emphasis on general ledger account reconciliations, financial statement preparation and analysis, budget and forecast support, developing financial allocation methodologies, and day-to-day operational financial transaction processing.
The Accountant III will have a direct involvement with UW Madison's upcoming implementation of Workday and will be heavily involved with retrofitting FPM's various existing financial software systems thus a strong understanding of financial software implementation strategies is preferred.
Responsibilities: Performs complex accounting duties, prepares financial and statistical reports, delivers training to others, develops and/or manages complex budgets, and develops and documents controls for accounting systems to ensure the accurate recording and reporting of the business unit's financial transactions.
May lead and be a resource for others in their department/unit.
10% Leads and executes the development, organization, preparation, and updating of complex financial statements, journals, accounts, ledgers, and reports for various financial needs within an automated financial system to ensure accurate recording and reporting of financial transactions 15% Prepares and analyzes financial reports, data and records, identifies discrepancies, investigates, and recommends solutions as needed 15% Monitors automated financial systems, develops, and documents controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity 15% Performs complex accounting and auditing reconciliations, journal entries, schedules, and reports 20% Develops and manages complex work unit budgets, analyzing funding sources, operational needs, budget trends, and financial commitments 10% Forecasts budget balances and recommends corrective action as needed 10% Answers questions and provides accounting related information to internal and external stakeholders according to established policies and procedures 5% Facilitates trainings and provides financial guidance to management and staff Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison.
We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community.
We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
Education: Required Associate's Degree with major studies in Accounting Preferred Bachelor's Degree with major studies in Accounting or Finance Qualifications: Required Qualifications: - Minimum 3-5 years' experience in a hands-on accounting role with an emphasis on general ledger reconciliation, financial statement preparation and analysis, and budgeting.
- Experience using complex financial software systems and active roles in system implementation; - Advanced skills using Microsoft Excel including complex formulas, pivot tables, and creating dashboards.
- Experience interpreting and applying complex fiscal policies and procedures to ensure compliance with established rules, regulations, and financial guidelines; - Excellent organizational skills, ability to identify and solve problems independently and collaboratively, prioritize and delegate tasks, and manage competing deadlines; - Ability to analyze, interpret, and problem-solve complicated budgetary issues; - Knowledge of standard accounting or financial management practices; - Demonstrated knowledge of GAAP accounting principles and practices; - Experience with identifying risk and development of internal controls; - Good written and verbal communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; - Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively; - Ability to work independently, accurately, and on a timely basis.
Preferred Qualifications: - Knowledge of UW, State, and Federal rules and regulations and/or experience managing finances within an institution of higher education - Working knowledge of UW financial systems and tools: PeopleSoft financial and human resources software (UW SFS and HRS), Workday financial and human resources software Work Type: Full Time: 100% This position may require 10% of work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.
90% of work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration: Ongoing/Renewable Salary: Minimum $80,000 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications The starting salary for this position is $80,000 annually but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; and retirement benefits.
Benefits information can be found at https://www.
wisconsin.
edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/univstaff.
pdf.
Additional Information: A criminal background check will be conducted on all finalists.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.
e.
a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
We are committed to reducing bias in the recruitment process and utilize a redacted application process, which is the practice of removing personally identifiable information from application materials, before the screening of applicants begins.
This may include, but is not limited to, name, gender, age, education, address, dates (such as graduation dates), photos, references, links to personal webpages, supervisor names, and/or citizenship.
How to Apply: To begin the application process, click the "apply now" button.
Please submit a resume and cover letter.
In your application materials, detail your experience as it pertains to this position.
You'll be asked to provide contact information for three professional references when applying.
References will not be contacted without your approval.
Contact: Dawn Bierman dawn.
bierman@wisc.
edu 608-265-4057 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1.
See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title: Accountant III(FN003) Department(s): A71-FACILITIES PLNG AND MGMT/AVC/BOP Employment Class: Academic Staff-Renewable Job Number: 294512-AS The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies.
We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
Employment will require a criminal background check.
It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released.
See Wis.
Stat.
sec.
19.
36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years.
UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.