The Department of Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder emphasizes knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry, including atomic and molecular theory, the states of matter, and reactivities and properties of chemical substances. Students study the basic subfields of chemistry, such as organic, physical, analytical, and inorganic chemistry, all while developing the mathematical skills to understand fundamental chemical relationships and to manipulate experimental data. Graduates also learn safe chemical practices, including handling waste, safety equipment, assembling chemical apparatus and designing experiments.

Research Finance Administration

Manage the full life cycle of research grant funding, working with the Principal Investigators (PI), CU Controller’s Office (CCO), and others to ensure the proper use of and accounting for contract/grant funding, in alignment with the conditions of all award documents and subsequent modifications.

Areas of effort and tasks within Research Finance Administration include the following:

• Post-Award Financial Management & Reporting.
• Oversee project budgets, including monitoring, tracking, and reconciling transactions and variances.
• Handle post-award financial tasks, including creating subcontract standing purchase orders (SPO), monitoring project end dates, and leading budget allocations.
• Independently monitor and analyze subawards and cost-share commitments.
• Exercise discretion in resolving issues related to budget allocations and project due dates.
• Proactively track and alert PIs regarding No Cost Extensions, At-Risk Extensions, and other significant project modifications.
• Regulatory Compliance and Project Closure.
• Review and interpret notices of award to ensure compliance with special restrictions and payroll requirements.
• Analyze fringe and Facilities & Administrative (F&A) costs and maintain compliance with federal and university regulations.
• Identify discrepancies and communicate effectively with PIs and financial teams to resolve issues. Facilitate the closure of sponsored projects, ensuring removal of unallowable charges and adherence to the University Controller’s Office recommendations.
• Review and complete close-out tasks, maintaining strict adherence to due dates.
• Equipment and Fabrication Financial Management.
• Work closely with the Building Manager and finance team to oversee fabrication and equipment purchases, ensuring accuracy in financial setup and compliance, including all necessary documentation and approvals (e.g. Sole Source Justification, sponsor approval).

Financial Accounting

• Account Monitoring and Resolution.
• Perform standard accounting functions, including the preparation of journal entries, verification of accounting codes and fund assignments, and assistance in month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closes.
• Carry out reconciliations, audits, data collection, analysis, retention, reporting, and records management with a focus on accuracy and adherence to established procedures.
• Conduct research and provide solutions to moderate accounting problems. This includes investigating and analyzing data to ensure accuracy, and performing corrective actions as needed, within the scope of departmental guidelines.
• Fiscal Policies and Compliance.
• Ensure that fiscal operations are conducted in accordance with Federal, State, and university fiscal policies and procedures.
• Apply acquired knowledge to maintain compliance and address related issues independently.

Payroll Administration

• Payroll Management.
• Manage and execute research-related payroll processes, including initiating Payroll Expense Transfers (PET), handling funding distribution, tuition remission, and clearing suspense and overpay accounts.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll transactions and resolve discrepancies as they arise.
• Collaborate with department staff to confirm available funding for research personnel, including graduate research assistants, research faculty, and post-docs.
• Work in conjunction with the HR Coordinator and Finance Manager to process off-cycle payments, additional payments, manual adjustments, and overpayment corrections as required.

Travel and Expense Reimbursement

• Expense Reports and Tracking.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of travel and expense reports for the department.
• Ensure that all reports have the necessary prior approvals, receipts, and documentation.
• Track all departmental travel and processing steps to ensure timely approval and submission of expense reports, maintaining a systematic approach to managing travel-related expenses.
• Reimbursement Reports.
• Review travel card, travel, and personal expense reimbursements to confirm that expenses are allocable, allowable, and applicable across various fund types.
• Approve travel and expense reimbursement reports for processing.
• Prepare, reconcile, and submit travel expense reimbursement reports. This includes collecting appropriate receipts and documentation, and ensuring expenses are allocated to the correct accounts for specific groups of Principal Investigators.
• Training
• Develop and maintain training documentation for faculty, students, and staff related to travel procedures. This includes creating clear and concise guidelines and resources.
• Perform in-person and video training sessions for faculty and students on travel procedures.
• Keep the department informed of any changes to university or departmental travel policies.

Other

• Track finance tasks that come into the Finance teams’ queue and work with the finance manager to ensure all items are assigned and completed.
• Backup for the Finance and Accounting Manager and the administrative staff upon completion of cross-training.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Hybrid modality: 3 days in the office during the academic year and 2 days in the summer.
• Hours are typically 8 am to 4 pm or 9 am to 5 pm.

• The salary for this position is $58,200 annually.

• A Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
• 1 year of relevant experience: professional-level experience in a payroll, accounting, or finance-related role.

• Excellent customer service.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal problem-solving skills.
• High degree of professionalism and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Understanding of contracting regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures covering grant and contract requirements.
• Ability to work effectively in a working environment with multiple interruptions.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple complex priorities.
• High proficiency in using Microsoft Suite, Word, and Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively analyze issues in such a way as to foresee possible problems or concerns that may arise and to develop possible solutions and initiate related action with little close supervision.
• Ability to train, navigate, and master CU systems such as PeopleSoft Finance and HR, Concur, and Cognos Reporting, or related systems.

• Advanced degree in accounting, finance, business or a related field.
• 2+ years of grant management experience in a higher education setting.
• 2+ years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, and/or business administration in a complex environment that includes budgeting responsibilities.
• Ability to apply knowledge of finance regulations and good judgment to independently advise on sponsored project management.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of internal accounting control principles, as well as generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Demonstrated understanding of cost sharing, indirect cost rate, allowable and unallowable contract/grant expenses, and ability to develop contract budget projections.
• Advanced skills in spreadsheet and word-processing software.
• Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, and fiscal principles and practices in a complex organizational environment, including budgeting and fund accounting.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective and trusting working relationships with faculty, administrators, and staff.