Accountant III

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Position Title:

Job Category:

Employment Type:

Job Profile:

Job Duties:

The Financial Services unit performs the controllership function for the Universities of Wisconsin. This position assists the UW System Controller in the areas of statewide reporting financial management and budget control of the Universitys financial resources. This includes monitoring University budgets and allotments. This section also performs the annual reconciliation and certification of University financial transactions and advises institution financial managers on a wide variety of policy-related issues.

The performance in this position requires demonstrated ability to apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) reporting standards familiarity with University of Wisconsin and State of Wisconsin fiscal rules policies and procedures and participation in UW System financial decision making.

Work Location:
The office location is located at 780 Regent Street Madison WI. An in-office requirement is expected three (3) days per week and two days may be worked off-site/remote. Telecommuting agreements are subject to change at any time.

Key Job Responsibilities:

UW System Reporting and Analysis

• Responsible for planning: operational improvements responses to financial reporting changes professional development of staff and crosstraining and collaboration with other units to provide better services.

• Develops policies and procedures for accounting operations and transaction processing and reporting for compliance with special reporting requirements. Applies industry and professional standards interprets University policy and procedure federal or state laws and other regulations and recommends accounting policy.

• Designs new accounting policy and procedures required by system implementations including internal controls.

• Develops and prepares financial reports and supporting schedules for institutions and management for distribution to the Board of Regents and other interested parties.

• Works with the Controllers group made up of representatives from all institutions in areas of financial analysis compliance and other accounting related developments.

Financial Accounting and Reconciliation

• Lead and execute the month-end and year-end closing process for UW and STAR.

• Develop manage monitor and reconcile the UW Systems accounting records to those of the State Department of Administration on a monthly basis as well as at year-end and continually monitor for potential coding/interface problems and initiate entries to correct the problems identified.

• Maintain STAR for the UW by calculating and submitting allotment adjustments at the state level as appropriate. This function sometimes requires dealing with DOAs Executive Budget Office and/or State Controllers Office.

• Performs complex accounting and auditing reconciliations journal entries schedules and reports

• Serves as subject matter expert to leadership and institutional stakeholders regarding accounting and financial operations policies and procedures

• Develops and facilitates trainings and provides financial guidance to management and staff

Budget Control and Accounting Functions of the Universities of Wisconsin

• Monitor and reconcile allotment authority from the UW System with the State Department of Administration (DOA) Chapter 20 records for a multitude of appropriations with many funding sources (i.e. GPR SEG PR-S PR-F PR Annual Continuing Sum Sufficient). Identify and explain variances

• Interpret train and consult institution personnel engaged in the maintenance of the institutional budget control function relative to budget programs rules funding restrictions reconciling issues and analysis.

• Analyze and monitor institution and systemwide budgets throughout the fiscal year advising institutions to maximize use of funding and minimize lapsing in accordance with legislative intent and Board of Regents policy.

• Analyze and interpret the operating budget to determine centrally held funding for institutional distribution. Serve as a liaison with the UWSA Budget Office to ascertain the overall annual budget plan and funding intent.

• Help develop UW System financial policies and procedures. Assist Institution and System personnel in interpreting and implementing federal state and UW System financial policies and procedures.

Miscellaneous Activities

• Coordinate and provide System Access to various software systems

• Provide backup coverage for staff

• Perform other special projects as assigned

Department:

The Department of Financial Administration has the primary responsibility for the fiscal integrity of the University of Wisconsin System. It is expected to provide a financial environment that is secure encourages the accomplishment of academic missions provides timely and accurate information and assists all levels of management in making prudent financial decisions.

To meet these responsibilities Financial Administration has organized itself around the following five service categories: Systemwide Accounting and Budget Control; Shared Financial System Operations Management; Financial and Administrative Policy Development; Financial Analysis and Reporting; System Administration Accounting and Budget Control.

Compensation:

The Accountant III is a full-time salaried (exempt) academic staff position. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $79000. - $89000. commensurate with the candidates education related experience and qualifications.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in accounting business or related field from an accredited institution
• Five or more years of experience in accounting or related role
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across an organization at all levels.
• Thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles
• Knowledge of internal controls business ethics and financial platforms and practices

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Experience working with the UW System or State
• Experience working within Higher Education
• Proficiency with advanced Excel functions and ability to create complex spreadsheets and reports

How to Apply:

Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through February 8 2026. However applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.

To receive full consideration applicants are required to apply online and provide in PDF format a Resume and Cover letter addressing your experience and education as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualifications.

Contact Information:

Questions may be addressed to .

Accommodation Request

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability you can find information about how to make a request by contacting .

Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy

This offer of employment is conditional pending the results of a criminal background check and a reference check process that includes questions regarding employee misconduct sexual violence and sexual harassment. If you have prior work history within the past 7 years with the Universities of Wisconsin your personnel file will also be reviewed for employee misconduct. If the results are unacceptable the offer will be withdrawn or if you have started employment your employment will be terminated.

Employment Authorization

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 the need of employer sponsorship) on before or after the effective date of appointment.

Confidentiality

The Universities of Wisconsin 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. . 19.36(7).

Benefits Information

Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package review the Faculty Academic Staff & Limited Appointees or University Staff Please see this link for total compensation information: Universities of Wisconsin Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to provide you with total compensation information.

Clery Act information

The Universities of Wisconsin provides statistics on campus crime in its Annual Security Report. For more information on university campus statistics see is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age pregnancy disability status as a protected veteran or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds perspectives and skills and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.