Job Details

Finance and Accounting Senior Professional

Position Number: 7124160
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Business - Accounting

Finance and Accounting Senior Professional

Requisition Number: 71764
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 07-May-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at CU Boulder invites applications for the Finance and Accounting Senior Professional position! This role serves as a key financial and administrative resource for the department and its finance team, providing advanced guidance on a broad range of financial, accounting, and human resources functions that support faculty, staff, students, and research personnel. This position independently manages complex financial transactions and a portfolio of high-level funding accounts, including research grants, contracts, gift funds, and other funding sources, and regularly interprets and applies university, state, federal, and sponsor regulations to ensure full compliance across diverse and often unique funding scenarios.
In addition to preparing and reviewing complex financial reports, analyzing budget forecasts, and reconciling expenditures, this role advises department leadership and the finance team on financial planning and resource allocation, often identifying issues and proposing solutions to non-standard or sensitive financial situations. The Senior Professional also serves as a lead resource within the finance team, providing guidance and support to other finance professionals and helping to ensure consistency and accuracy in financial processes.
For an assigned portfolio of high-level accounts, this role manages student employment processes, ensures compliance with student payroll guidelines, and provides expert guidance on procurement, travel, and sensitive expense policies. The position contributes to the development, refinement, and implementation of departmental financial procedures, supporting operational efficiency, long-term sustainability, and alignment with institutional priorities. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is composed of Faculty, Staff, Research Assistants, Graduate Students, and Undergraduate Students. Through teaching, learning, research, and community outreach, we seek to promote scholarship at the intersection of psychology and neuroscience. Driving this mission is a deep, shared commitment to improving the human condition for all people. The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is responsible for over 3,200 students in two majors and five PhD programs. Our 52 faculty teach and conduct research on topics that range from the molecular to the community level. Our work is spread across three locations (MUEN, WILD, & CINC), with an annual budget of $20 million, which includes approximately $12 million in grant-funded research and $600,000 in gift funds.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

GRANT, CONTRACT, AND FUND ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

Independently handle an assigned portfolio of complex financial accounts across research, general, auxiliary, gift, royalty, and plant funds.

Regularly monitors activity and ensures compliance with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), sponsor requirements, state fiscal rules, and university policies.
Applies advanced knowledge to evaluate complex funding scenarios
Serves as a primary resource for interpreting financial and regulatory requirements, resolving compliance-related questions for faculty, staff, and administrators.

Handle a portfolio of post-award grant and contract administration. This includes:

Subcontracts.
Collaborating with campus offices such as the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) and the Controller's Office, as well as external sponsors.
Collaboration to resolve complex issues and ensure successful award management.
Provide guidance during proposal development and pre-award activities, including budget preparation, regulatory considerations, and coordination with campus partners to ensure compliant submissions.

Serves as a lead resource within the department for grant and fund management.

Provides guidance and support to other finance professionals on complex accounts, policy interpretation, and standard processes.
In collaboration with department leadership and the supervisor, supports the development, refinement, and implementation of internal accounting processes, identifying procedural gaps and recommending improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance.

Prepares and presents comprehensive financial reports for assigned accounts, analyzes data to forecast trends and identify risks, and provides recommendations to support departmental decision-making and resource planning.

RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION

Independently lead a portfolio of complex research administration activities, including:

Hiring and onboarding of undergraduate and graduate research assistants, visiting scholars, and research faculty.
Providing guidance on policies, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with university, state, and federal regulations, serving as a key resource to faculty and staff throughout the hiring process.

Conduct comprehensive account reconciliations and financial reviews, including:

Analyzing discrepancies, recommending and processing cost transfers, and ensuring expenditures align with sponsor, department, and university requirements.
Serves as a primary point of contact for resolving account-related inquiries and providing financial guidance to faculty and administrative staff.

Handle payroll funding for an assigned portfolio of research personnel.

In close collaboration with department leadership and the supervisor, develop and maintain internal processes to ensure accurate and timely payroll activity.
Coordinate with faculty and principal investigators to secure funding documentation, resolve discrepancies, and maintain compliance with institutional standards.

Support the onboarding and compliance of an assigned portfolio of international research personnel in collaboration with campus partners.

Provide guidance on visa requirements and regulatory considerations.
Monitor fund balances and proactively assess funding needs, recommending adjustments and ensuring appropriate resources are available to support research activities.

Represent the department in collaborative campus-wide discussions.

Serves as a lead resource within the department for research administration processes, providing guidance and support to other finance professionals on complex or non-standard situations.
Partners to resolve complex administrative and compliance issues.

PROCUREMENT, TRAVEL, AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT

Independently handle complex procurement activities, applying knowledge of departmental needs, sponsor requirements, and university, state, and federal regulations to ensure compliance while supporting research and operational goals. Serve as a key resource to faculty, staff, and administrators on procurement policies, providing guidance on purchasing processes and requirements.
Review and approve purchase transactions, including specialized and capital equipment, ensuring appropriate documentation, authorization, and compliance.
Monitor procurement and travel-related budgets, evaluating funding availability, identifying potential issues, and recommending adjustments to support effective resource management.
Handle travel arrangements, expense reimbursements, and related transactions, ensuring adherence to university policies, sponsor guidelines, and regulatory requirements. Provide guidance to faculty and staff on travel and reimbursement processes to promote compliance and efficiency.
In collaboration with department leadership and the supervisor, supports the evaluation and improvements of procurement, travel, and reimbursement processes by identifying inefficiencies and recommending enhancements to workflows and systems.
Handle invoice processing, payment tracking, and reconciliation activities, resolving complex issues and serving as a primary contact for vendors and campus partners.
Exercise independent judgment to resolve non-standard procurement and financial issues, balancing compliance requirements with operational needs.
Collaborate with campus partners to interpret policies and address complex matters and communicate technical financial information clearly to a broad audience.
Serves as a lead resource within the department for procurement, travel, and expense processes, providing guidance and support to other finance professionals on complex transactions, policy interpretation, and standard processes.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Provide comprehensive administrative support to ensure efficient daily operations within the department.
Assist with financial transactions, including resolving issues related to speedtypes and coordinating with appropriate campus partners to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Support departmental leadership and team members with a variety of administrative tasks, maintaining organized records and ensuring timely completion of assignments.
Coordinate with internal teams to address operational needs and contribute to maintaining effective workflows.
Assist with general office functions, communications, and documentation, ensuring alignment with university policies and procedures.
Provide flexible support as needed to address emerging priorities and support overall departmental operations.

What You Should Know

Hybrid Schedule: At least 3+ days a week on campus per campus and college policies and guidelines.

This can be subject to change based on the business needs of the department.

Standard Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Monday - Friday
Employee may be expected to be on campus Monday-Friday during onboarding, training, and/or professional development events/meetings.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range for this full-time position is $68,000-$70,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
3+ years of related experience in administration, business, finance, or a related field.

What You Will Need

Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple demands and due dates with effective planning.
Written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex policies and procedures.
High degree of professionalism and ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive information.
Demonstrated ability to proactively analyze issues so as to foresee possible problems or concerns that may arise and to develop proactive solutions and initiate related action.
Ability to establish/maintain positive and cooperative working relationships within the department and with outside units.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).
Demonstrated ability to navigate and help resolve complex or sensitive issues, using sound judgment and effective communication to support positive outcomes and working relationships.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time. Please apply by May 7, 2026 for consideration. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Finance-and-Accounting-Senior-Professional/71764