Job Description

The Department of Earth Science (formerly Geological Sciences) at CU Boulder encourages applications for a Finance and Accounting Senior Professional! This position serves as a financial and administrative resource for the department, 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 funding portfolios, including research grants, contracts, 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 and analyzing budget forecasts, the Finance and Accounting Senior Professional advises department leadership on financial planning and resource allocation, often identifying issues and proposing solutions to non-standard or sensitive financial situations. The position serves as a primary departmental resource on research and lab financial operations.

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
Who We Are
The University of Colorado at Boulder is ideally suited to the study of geological sciences. At the junction of the high plains and the Rocky Mountains, the Boulder area represents a natural outdoor laboratory where you can study geological features of all ages in diverse settings and observe Earth processes firsthand.

The department has research laboratories for studying rock and mineral deformation, soils, sedimentation, geo-microbial processes, petrology, isotope geochemistry, and mineralogy. Beyond the department, researchers also have access to a wide variety of shared analytical facilities across the CU Boulder campus. The department is affiliated with several research centers and institutes (INSTAAR, CSDMS, CIRES, LASP) and offers a diverse set of resources for teaching and research.

The Department of Geological Sciences recognizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in maintaining academic excellence and an intellectually and culturally enriching environment. We appreciate that diversity extends to different races and ethnicities, gender identities, nationalities, disabilities, and body types. As such, we expect all members of our Department to respect each other and to work to combat systemic racism and other biases. The Department is actively working on initiatives to further support a welcoming and inclusive climate and to increase the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Grant, Contract, and Fund Account Management:

Financial Management

Independently manage, analyze, and monitor a broad range of financial activities across research and lab funds.
Evaluate complex funding scenarios to ensure compliance with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) principles, state fiscal rules, sponsor regulations, and University policies.
Policy Interpretation and Compliance Expert

Apply advanced understanding of financial, regulatory, and sponsor requirements to ensure department-wide adherence to fiscal guidelines.
Serve as a primary resource for interpreting policies and resolving compliance-related questions for faculty, staff, and administrators operating in research and lab spaces.
Process Development and Continuous Improvement

Lead the development, refinement, and implementation of internal accounting processes, adapting departmental procedures to meet evolving program, sponsor, and institutional requirements.
Proactively identify procedural gaps, recommend improvements, and guide adoption of new practices.
Post-Award Grant and Contract Administration

Independently be responsible for post-award management of sponsored projects, including subcontracts, collaborating directly with the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG), the Campus Controller’s Office, and external sponsors to resolve complex post-award issues and ensure successful award administration.
Proposal and Pre-Award Support:
Serve as a key advisor during proposal development and pre-award activities, providing guidance on budget preparation, proposal requirements, and regulatory considerations.
Coordinate with campus offices to ensure submission of compliant proposals.
Advanced Financial Reporting and Strategic Analysis

Prepare and present comprehensive financial reports for department leadership, faculty, and Principal Investigators.
Analyze financial data to forecast trends, identify risks, and make recommendations to inform financial decision-making and resource planning.
Departmental Collaboration

Serve as a key departmental liaison, regularly collaborating with university-wide offices such as OCG, Campus Controller’s Office, Procurement Service Center, Human Resources, and Technology Transfer Office.
Apply working knowledge of university-wide policies to support departmental needs.
Problem Solving and Independent Judgment

Resolve complex and non-standard financial, contractual, and administrative challenges.
Analyze unique financial scenarios, assess potential risks, and exercise independent judgment to develop solutions that balance compliance, operational needs, and funding requirements.
Resource Liaison and Advisor Role

Act as a resource and advisor to faculty, administrators, and less experienced staff, providing guidance on financial processes, systems, and policy interpretation.
Frequently consulted to resolve complex or sensitive financial and operational questions.
Communication of Complex Financial Concepts

Routinely communicate complex financial, regulatory, and procedural information to a diverse audience, including department leadership, faculty, administrative staff, and external partners.
Translate complex data into actionable insights to support informed decision-making.
Research Administration:

Hiring and Compliance Oversight

Independently manage and be responsible for the hiring process for undergraduate and graduate research assistants, visiting scholars, and research faculty.
Provide expert guidance on best practices and policy interpretation to ensure compliance with university, state, and federal regulations, serving as a key resource to department faculty and staff throughout the hiring process.
Account Reconciliation and Financial Analysis

Conduct comprehensive monthly reconciliations and financial reviews for assigned accounts.
Exercise independent judgment to analyze discrepancies, recommend and process cost transfers, correct errors, and ensure expenditures align with sponsor, department, and university requirements.
Serve as the primary point of contact for resolving account-related inquiries and providing financial guidance to faculty and administrative staff.
Payroll Oversight and Process Leadership

Independently manage and maintain payroll funding entries for research personnel, developing and implementing internal processes, due dates, and protocols to ensure accurate and timely payroll activity.
Coordinate directly with faculty and PIs to secure necessary funding documentation, resolve discrepancies, and ensure compliance with departmental and university payroll standards.
International Research Personnel Coordination

Partner with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to ensure international scholars are properly onboarded.
Provide expert-level support in navigating visa requirements, immigration documentation, and compliance matters, proactively advising faculty and departmental leadership on evolving international employment regulations.