UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region The Accountant II, Finance Manager (FM) has a comprehensive understanding of University's expenses and applies this knowledge to organize and manage the financial activities of the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) as an integral team member of BME's administration. The FM coordinates the financial review process, provides user support finance-related activities including both non-sponsored and sponsored funds, administers the training for faculty, staff, students on business, travel, and expense policies of the University and federal/non-federal sponsor agencies, and initiates and/or assists with routine transactions.
- Coordinates major financial reporting and budgeting activities for faculty financial portfolios including non-sponsored and sponsored funds to ensure faculty and department solvency. Processes activities for monthly and fiscal financial close, reporting, forecasting, and annual budgeting and strategic initiatives for faculty revenue and costs.
- Ensures accuracy of account balances, resolves funding issues and maintains proper accounting controls and procedures per University, federal/non-federal sponsor policies and guidelines.
- Makes recommendations to faculty and Department related to long-range financial and cash flow analyses.
- Prepares and analyzes statistical and financial reports, financial statements and supporting schedules for faculty.
- Reviews, implements, and maintains grant agreements, policies and guidelines, coordinates grant reporting requirements, reviews grant funding source compliance and coordinates grant funding with OPAS/OPAM/Controller's Office and/or awarding agencies. May assist with proposal preparation in coordination with the College of Engineering's Research Development Office and Department.
- Serves as subject matter expert on internal financial systems (including Kuali), processes, and reporting along with solid understanding of systems and processes that impact faculty finances.
- Provides workshops, instruction, and/or ad-hoc training for faculty, staff, and students on financial policy and procedures for non-sponsored and sponsored spending to ensure compliance.
- Identifies opportunities for efficiencies and automation, makes and implements recommendations to optimize financial outcome and Department's operations.
- Collaborates across teams, while supporting necessary changes and proactively leading new initiatives and process changes.
- Responsible for Department's expense approvals and procurement needs and assists with routine financial transactions including but not limited to procurement, reimbursements, Administration and Finance (A&F) access requests, bank card reallocation/archiving, AYSR PI elections, etc. May assist with basic human resources (HR) processing such as graduate student assistantships and ePAFs.
- May assist in preparing, developing, and monitoring department budgets.
- Supervises one (1) to two (2) graduate student or undergraduate assistants to ensure timely submission of routine financial transactions.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Finance/Research Administration or related field and two (2) years' related experience. One (1) year of relevant experience may be substituted for every one (1) year of required academia.
- Skilled in interpersonal relationships, sound verbal and written communication and ability to deal effectively with a high volume of work and rigid deadlines.
- Experience supporting federal grants, proposals, and/or contracts.
- Familiarity with rules and regulations of major research sponsors.
- Ability to act proactively and independently.
- Must possess proficient and functional knowledge of Microsoft Office products, especially Excel, internet, and database systems.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prepare a variety of financial reports in a timely and effective manner.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of all office and research records.
- Ability to read, write, and understand scientific writing (grant proposals, research descriptions) and understand state and federal regulatory language.
- Experience with pre- and post-award grant management systems used by federal, state, foundation, private, and business entities to submit, track, administer, report, monitor, and close research grant awards.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Proficiency with University systems: Summit, BuyWays, People Soft financial and HR, SPIRE, Kuali, etc.
- Experience with NIH ERA Commons, research.gov, and other enterprise systems.
- Certified Research Administrator or similar certification.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions Typical office environment.
- Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 5:00pm.
- 37.5 hours per week.
- Position to start January 5, 2025.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the University Staff Association, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University Staff Association collective bargaining agreement, therefore.
Special Instructions to Applicants Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action. |
UMass Amherst
Dec 15, 2024