Job Description

The Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services (SAES) at the University of Northern Colorado is active, intentional, and forward thinking in its approach to working with students while promoting social mobility. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are embedded in our work.
SAES is committed to supporting students in their personal and academic success. To help students to thrive, SAES provides resources, tools, and opportunities to create a student experience focused on learning, by creating a powerful sense of belonging and campus connection; promoting diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments; developing career readiness; supporting student well-being; and getting involved, giving back, and developing leadership talent. This is a transformational opportunity for a talented, ambitious leader to join a young division in the next stage of development and integration with the whole University — work that has immense potential to have a positive and far-reaching impact on the University and its students.

SAES Guiding Principles

Vision
We will be a division that is unwavering in our creation of meaningful opportunities for student learning and development. We will be responsive to emerging student needs, while continuing to invest in staff so they can create a safe, engaged, holistically well, and innovative campus community.

Mission
We believe that every student has a right to full and equal participation in the university community. We identify and collaboratively eliminate institutional barriers to success and cultivate a student-centered co-curricular experience. We intentionally educate our students on self-awareness, well-being, equity, career readiness, and interpersonal engagement. We seek to understand who our students are and who they want to become. We shape supportive environments for students to grow and belong as they navigate higher education and beyond.

The Accounting Specialist is a key position in UNC’s Administrative Service Center (ASC) model. The mission of UNC’s Administrative Service Centers is to provide stakeholders with quality, timely and efficient services by utilizing technology, cultivating the skills of our staff, and building strong relationships with campus stakeholders.

The Accounting Specialist will support Dining Services, Campus Recreation, Housing & Residential Education and other offices and departments within SAES, as needed, and serve as a department liaison with the offices of General Accounting and Purchasing & Contracts. This position is responsible for processing accounting transactions as well as purchasing and contracts related transactions for the divisional departments. Accounting Specialists must be familiar with the specific processes and procedures related to travel, procurement cards (p-cards), p-card reallocations, fund approvals, purchase orders, check/ACH requests, invoices, journal entries, deposits, etc. The Accounting Specialist understands the software systems used by accounting, accounts payable, and the budget office to efficiently perform their responsibilities. Systems may include Banner, Insight, OnBase, Xtender, PowerBI Reporting, CBORD – HMS, and Atrium. The ability to utilize these systems and review reports allows this individual to accurately complete transactions and identify and correct accounting and budgeting issues.

About University of Northern Colorado

Overview
Founded in 1889, as the State Normal School of Colorado and tucked between the Rocky Mountains and Colorado’s stunning high plains, the University of Northern Colorado has grown from its roots as a teacher’s college into an institution with international draw and status.

UNC is a public doctoral research university that strives to cultivate the unique potential of each of its approximately 9,000 students and is positioned to advance knowledge through discovery because of its just-right size, expert faculty and tradition of research and hands-on learning. By immersing students in innovative teaching and research methods in the classroom and in the field,

UNC provides its students with an exceptional educational experience. UNC’s talented and dedicated faculty are housed in its five colleges: Education and Behavioral Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business; Natural and Health Sciences; and Performing and Visual Arts.

Acclaimed for its expertise in a broad array of academic disciplines, UNC offers more than 100 undergraduate programs and 120 graduate programs on campus, off campus and online. Undergraduate students study in a liberal arts tradition that supports them in exploring broadly, making connections, thinking critically, and using what they learn to make a difference in the world around them. UNC also offers more than 60 extended campus programs throughout the state and online, meeting an increasing demand among adult learners and working students in industry-relevant disciplines.

Of UNC’s 120 graduate programs, almost half are taught at satellite locations or online. Research, scholarship, and creative works are essential components of academic life for both faculty and students at UNC. Many undergraduate degree programs require a research experience and most graduate programs require a thesis, capstone project, or dissertation.

UNC faculty purposefully connect research and teaching by bringing what they learn from their research into the courses they teach and by inviting students to join their work. Faculty and student work on research, scholarship, and creative works focuses on knowledge creation as well as the application of knowledge to solve real world problems. Surveys of current and former students show that they value these relationships and see them as one of the primary benefits of attending UNC.

There is no typical UNC student. UNC prides itself on being a university where students do not have to conform in order to belong. Whatever their unique talents may be, UNC helps students reach their fullest potential. The university prepares students not only to have successful careers, but also to lead fulfilling lives, engage in intelligent public discourse, participate in government, and thrive in a changing, global world. UNC has a long history of serving students who are often underrepresented at research universities. More than 40% of UNC undergraduates are the first in their family to go to college, one third are underrepresented minorities, and more than one-quarter are eligible for federal need-based financial aid.

Linked to our community since we were founded in 1889, UNC is an important part of the Greeley community and works to actively foster a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship with our city and its residents. Greeley is a warm and welcoming place and a location we are proud to call our home. Recently ranked as the fourth fastest growing Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States, Greeley is a community on the move where a robust economy offers a number of enriching opportunities to residents of all ages.

Our Direction: Rowing, Not Drifting 2030

Our strategic plan, Rowing, Not Drifting 2030, brings to life our vision for the university which takes shape in the form of our vision statement, five vision elements, and outcomes that serve as the foundation in support of and in service to UNC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community. It guides the work of our five phases over the next decade, as well as the implementation of our supporting key actions and tactics.

The five vision elements that serve as our foundation are:

• Students First: We exist to transform the lives of our students. We focus on all aspects of their success by making intentional decisions to meet their needs and the needs of our community.
• Empower Inclusivity: The diversity within our university and state is a distinct advantage that we celebrate and nurture. We ensure learning occurs through meaningful discussion of shared and different experiences, viewpoints, and ideas.
• Enhance & Invest: The success of students relies on a healthy and strong team. We provide our staff and faculty with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. We foster an environment where their individual well-being and sense of belonging are vital to our collective success.
• Innovate & Create: Learning occurs through critical inquiry, discovery, and creation. We leverage technology and capitalize on opportunities to innovate and improve instruction. We anticipate and address societal needs by transforming the campus into a creative laboratory that asks questions, solves problems, and shapes Colorado’s future.
• Connect & Celebrate: Strong community connections provide authentic learning experiences and reciprocal partnerships and collaborations. We set the standard for how engaged universities enrich the lives of those on campus, throughout Colorado, and beyond.

Our Imperatives: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

UNC is dedicated to strengthening and advancing our collective work related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we aspire to become a Hispanic Serving Institution. As a diverse team, we develop and learn more together. We value the individuality of each person and recognize how diversity enhances our campus. When you join the UNC family, you can expect to be part of a growing inclusive, innovative, and equity-minded community that expects intentional collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and local partners.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fund/Account (FOAP) Management, Monitor and Reconcile Funds – 40%

• Record, track and analyze transactions using Banner, spreadsheets, and other accounting software.
• Analyze, monitor, reconcile and produce monthly reports for departmental funds.
• Process journal entries as needed to manage accounts (FOAPs).
• Handle duties related to fiscal year-end closing for the unit (i.e. close purchase orders and clear expenditures before the fiscal year-end).
• Prepare historical financial reports for the Associate Vice President (AVP), directors, or designee regarding expenses/deposits; offer strategic review as needed.
• Understand all software systems used by accounting, accounts payable, and the budget office including, but not limited to, Banner, Insight, OnBase, and Xtender

Fund Approval and Transactions – 40%

• Guide and assist units in the division to understand and follow university fiscal policy and procedure.
• Function as a fund approver; confirm the FOAP budget balance is available for spending and ensure appropriate forms and processes are in place for all purchases and financial transactions.
• Review receipts and approve FOAPs for procurement card purchases for p-card holders, after department leaders have reviewed the statements for proper scope of purchase.
• Process payment of travel transactions including those related to candidate searches (e.g.-travel authorizations, travel reimbursements, moving expenses).
• Assist leadership with capital asset purchasing, management, and property control.
• Process gifts, prizes, and awards purchases.
• Process reimbursement requests, check/ACH requests, invoice payments, and independent contractor agreements.
• Process financial transactions such as: EIOs, Purchase Orders, check/ACH requests, deposits, cash advances, and petty cash.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for unit questions related to accounting and purchasing.
• Complete approval queue updates and maintenance.

Manage Various Accounting/Purchasing Forms – 10%

• This position will determine if it is in the best interest of UNC to re-open a purchase order or require the end user to submit a new purchase requisition.
• Assist other individuals within the division understand appropriate authority and limitations.

Miscellaneous as assigned by Supervisor – 10%

• Provide exceptional customer service to students, faculty, staff, parents, and guests. This includes in-person interactions, answering phone calls, and emails.
• Provide additional training for employees when accounting processes/procedures change.
• Collaborate with Divisional leadership and/or the Senior Business Manager when the chart of accounts is updated or reorganized to request new Orgs/funds and to move expenses/revenue to accommodate changes.
• Offer guidance and function as a resource to new employees, including departmental directors, and other ASC staff, to promote an understanding of financial reporting and university guidelines.
• Work with the UNC and other campus Accounting Specialist team to develop policies and procedures, align efforts across units, and work as a team to advance Student Affairs, and Accounting/Purchasing operations at UNC.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible, related experience, preferably in higher education
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task
• Demonstrated ability to work on projects independently
• Ability to use exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Several months of training is necessary to familiarize Accounting Specialist with university and department policies.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, with an emphasis in Excel, is required to perform assigned duties.
• Ability to perform duties in a professional manner; demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), organizational and people skills.
• Ability to work effectively with others as well as independently, meticulous with details, and analytical.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree , or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of Banner, Insight, Xtender, CBORD – HMS, and Atrium

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: Accounting Specialist, administrative, and Processing accounting transactions. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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