Higher Education Fiscal Coordinator

Full Job Description

To apply, please go to: https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=38827

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Higher Education!

At the System Administration office at the University of Colorado, we are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Our office is committed to fostering a culture where employees find community, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission and purpose.

By joining our team, you’ll have a direct impact on shaping the future of higher education.

In addition to the Office of the Board of Regents, the University of Colorado’s system administration includes 19 units that provide essential services to CU’s campuses in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, as well as the Office of the President.

While not a part of any one campus, we are proud to serve in the centralized office for the University system.

Together, we ensure CU continues to deliver outstanding education, groundbreaking research, and valuable service to our communities.

We believe in creating an environment where the unique experiences and perspectives of everyone are embraced, enriching the work we do and the strategic outcomes we pursue.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, contributing to a dynamic team, and supporting a mission that matters, we encourage you to apply and be part of our journey.

Learn more about CU System Administration.

Position Summary:

This position serves as the central point of communication and coordination between the Department of Higher Education (DHE), Governing Boards' staff and their institutions, and the State of Colorado on fiscal issues that impact multiple institutions to ensure consistency. This position reports to the Executive Committee which is composed of two representatives from the Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) group and three representatives from the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC). The FAC is comprised of all the governing board Controllers. This position is exempt from the State of Colorado Classification system.

Where You Will Work:

This role is eligible to work remotely within Colorado.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Serve as the central point of contact and coordination on State fiscal issues on behalf of the Higher Education (HE) CFOs and the FAC, including:

• Chair the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC), which generally meets monthly, or more often as needed.
• Inform the FAC and CFOs on State-related fiscal policies and their impact on HE and recommend related HE policies.
• Collect and validate information from HE institutions in order to respond to inquiries from State agencies from within the executive branch of the government.
• Negotiate and/or mediate issues between HE institutions and State agencies as directed by the FAC or the CFOs.
• Provide information on HE accounting practices and financial reporting structure to the State as requested.
• Facilitate coordinated HE responses to the State agencies related to proposed new/changes to State fiscal policies.
• Participate in Statewide committees on behalf of HE institutions that address issues that impact multiple institutions or address specific issues.
• Advise about proper Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) classification of HE activities and data, including how to change reporting if enterprise status is lost, and maintain the HE TABOR guidelines.
• Perform analysis of the annual Statewide Indirect Cost Allocation Plan (SWICAP) focusing on equitable allocation of state costs to HE institutions
• Reconcile the Annual Budget Data Book submissions.

2. Serve as Subject Matter Expert on HE institutions’ use of the State of Colorado’s general ledger system, Colorado Operations Resource Engine (CORE), due to HE’s limited use of CORE compared to other state agencies. This includes:

• Primary technical resource for HE institutions’ questions or concerns using CORE. This position serves as a general HE Help Desk.
• Develop and implement policies to ensure consistency and accuracy of HE’s financial information in CORE.
• Coordinate and respond to all requests to increase and/or change the amount or nature of information presented in CORE.
• Serve as HE’s representative in the decision-making process relative to development of or changes to CORE.
• Serve as the back-up CORE security administrator for every HE institution, and has access to maintain central tables for HE institution appropriation units; coordinate reports, interfaces, and extracts.
• Use the CORE financial reporting tool, infoAdvantage, to run reports from the CORE database as requested
• Collaborate with the staff from OSC on the budget set up in CORE to record the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Work with OSC staff to build appropriation units to record budget for new appropriated capital construction and controlled maintenance projects each year.
• Create “feed” codes for all new capital and controlled maintenance projects
• Monitor consistent use of the CORE HE Chart of Accounts.

3. Provide training, including:

• Develop and provide specific training on how HE institutions operate state-funded and split-funded capital construction and controlled maintenance projects in CORE, as well as how to balance and reconcile project financial information between CORE and institutional financial systems.
• Coordinate the HE Open/Close training each year with Office of the State Controller (OSC) staff.
• Develop the training agenda and material for the annual FAC HE Accounting Forum meeting.
• Coordinate the HE track of training at the annual State Employees Leading Colorado (SELC) conference.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of Accounting, or a related field, from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience (professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis)
• Five years or more experience with Higher Education accounting and reporting, ideally in a controller’s office

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of accounting, or a related field, from an accredited institution of higher education.
• An active Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Experience working with accounting and reporting standards established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
• Experience with the State of Colorado’s general ledger system (CORE).
• Experience working with State of Colorado fiscal rules and procedures and TABOR, especially as applied to a state institutions of higher education.
• Experience negotiating/mediating issues between governmental agencies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Advanced organizational skills, including the ability to, prioritize tasks, set and meet goals and deadlines for both daily assignments and special projects, manage appointments, create schedules, coordinate and facilitate meetings, and make decisions.
• Ability/skills in managing multiple priorities, meeting tight deadlines, and adapting to shifting demands while maintaining effectiveness.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercising sound judgement with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain a strong work ethic, positive problem-solving attitude, and enthusiasm for the work performed.
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to facilitate interaction, communication, and teamwork between others.
• Ability to establish and maintain partnerships with a variety of constituencies.

Additional Information

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please attach the following as separate documents to your application at https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=38827:

1. A cover letter identifying the job specific minimum qualifications you possess
2. A resume including any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting.

Benefits:

With our unparalleled range of benefits, including top-notch healthcare, comprehensive wellness programs, enriching professional development, and a dynamic work-life balance, we ensure your holistic growth and happiness.

• No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance.
• Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.
• Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.
• Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes a dedicated week off for winter break.
• 6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of parenthood.
• A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.
• Free RTD EcoPass and Free Onsite Parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office.
• Many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.

For more information on benefits programs, please review our Comprehensive Benefits Guide.

Access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staff position)