Accounting Specialist

Job Summary:

The Bursar's Office of CU Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus supports the academic and administrative mission of the institution and is responsible for ensuring the effective and accurate administration of all student accounts receivable and student payments, to include billing, collections, 3rd party sponsor billing, accounting of tuition, student fees, and various auxiliary charges. The Bursar's office is also responsible for processing departmental cash receipts and oversight of all federal and institutional loans, including related reporting and collection activities.

This position performs accounting and financial functions in the Bursar's Office. The primary function of this position is to manage various accounting/bookkeeping duties for the Bursar Office according to University, State, and Federal law, policies, and regulations. This position assists in reconciling student financial transactions from source systems to the University's general ledger. This position assists with ad hoc requests from department leadership and performs month-end and fiscal year-end accounting and financial tasks as assigned.

We are looking for someone with…

• positive energy, motivation, vision, and a desire for continuous learning.
• a strategic mind-set and forward-thinking.
• a belief that strong relationships are key to success.
• a can-do attitude.
• a focus on providing solutions based on the requirements and necessary outcomes of those whom we serve.

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete the monthly and prior years' reconciliation process for 10+ speedtypes, comparing and clearing discrepancies between the general ledger, bank, and the student system (CU-SIS). Work closely with the Accountant position on reconciliations to be completed and timelines for completion.
• Manage, analyze, and review weekly credit balances for holds, invalid addresses, balances due, and refunds to stay within federal credit balance regulations (Title IV – 14-day rule). This includes working with other departments within the University to clear credits that should not be refunded to students.
• Payment Posting and Review
  • Review and post monthly payments from all the external collection agencies.
  • Review monthly payments from the State DOR Tax offset, Flywire (529 and international), and Interdepartmental Invoice (IN) to ensure all payments are posted via automated processes.
• Respond to daily emails in the shared [email protected] email account within 48 hours. Answer questions and troubleshoot issues with interdepartmental invoices (IN-departmental payments to student accounts). Shared duty with Accountant.
• Process returned refunds daily (ACH from Wells Fargo and Paper Checks) by entering data into CU-SIS, tracking files, and working with other Bursar staff. Communicate with parents (parent plus refunds) and students who have returned refunds
• Review and process stale dated checks/warrants sent monthly from CU System Controller's office (via group post). Ensure the stale dated checks are posted to the student's accounts and cleared. 

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 2-3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings or during peak times (beginning of semesters). The location for this role is the DENVER CAMPUS.

Why Join Us:

We are seeking an energetic, positive, and forward-thinking individual to join our team. We are a fast-paced, deadline driven, and customer service focused office and are always looking for new ideas. A successful candidate for this position will be willing to be involved in visioning and implementing best practices, all while consistently providing support to our department partners and students. 

The Bursar Office has an exceptional track record when it comes to employee satisfaction. Our team is very diverse and often described as friendly, supportive, and resourceful.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, tuition benefits, ECO pass, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays and more. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits-wellness .

Diversity and Equity:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Intermediate Level:

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, business, finance, accounting, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• 24 college/university credit hours in accounting or auditing.
• One (1) year of professional-level experience including but not limited to billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, auditing, business, finance, accounting, or related fields.

* Experience can be gained simultaneously. Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Senior Level:

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, business, finance, accounting, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• 24 college/university credit hours in accounting or auditing.
• Two (2) years of professional-level experience, including but not limited to billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, auditing, business, finance, accounting, or related fields.

* Experience can be gained simultaneously. Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Condition of Employment: 

• The location assigned to this position is the CU Denver Campus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience at a higher education institution or State of Colorado Agency.
• Experience working with Microsoft Excel.
• Accounting or bookkeeping experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Detailed working knowledge of the University of Colorado's Accounting System.
• Able to work independently and identify patterns in financial data. Keep management informed of items where administrative policy may need to be modified or implemented to provide adequate controls to ensure compliance with audit standards.
• Able to use standard query tools in a data warehouse environment to support reconciliation activities and provide ad-hoc reports required by management.
• Ability to plan, organize, meet deadlines, work under pressure, and organize multiple projects or tasks.
• Attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally to staff, students, and senior administration.
• Strong professional, communication, interpersonal, and human relations skills
• Experience with highly automated financial management systems and the processing required to work within these systems.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting principals
• Knowledge of higher education billing and receivables systems, such as Oracle's Campus Solutions product (CU-SIS)
• Knowledge of U.S. Department of Education regulations
• Demonstrate experience working with diverse populations in a multicultural environment committed to diversity and equality in education.
• Outstanding interpersonal customer service skills.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to follow standard written procedures in order to perform job duties.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills in financial reconciliations.
• Ability to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1.     A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.

2.     Curriculum vitae / Resume

3.     Unofficial College Transcript

4.     Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address.

Questions should be directed to:  [email protected]  

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by February 25, 2024. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting hiring range for this position has been established as:

Intermediate Level: $53,000 - $60,000

Senior Level: $60,000 - $65,000

The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. 

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected] ​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases . If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program .