Financial Specialist

How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with
your career aspirations and skill set. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations).

What You'll Do

The Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan is seeking a qualified financial Specialist to provide financial support to the Center for Academic Innovation (CAI), the James and Anne Duderstadt Center (DMC) as well as the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Innovation (VPAI). In this role and as a member of CAI’s Operations Team, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to learn and develop in a wide variety of areas such as financial management and strategy, budget reporting, external revenue tracking, royalty payments, as well as sponsored projects pre-award and post-award accounting. The Financial Specialist is an integral member of the team responsible for providing financial support on a wide range of financial transactions and related topics of all three centers. This position will report to the Budget and Finance Lead at the Center for Academic Innovation.

Who We Are

The Center for Academic Innovation is where creativity, excellence, and the University of Michigan’s aspirations for societal impact combine to reimagine the future of higher education. Through curricular innovation, educational data and research, and educational technology, we position U-M as a global leader in academic innovation to create and inspire change in higher education and to reinforce an engaged and informed society.

About the Operations Team

The Operations team works to ensure the staff at the Center and its partners can design the future of education for a global community. We work on issues of financial management, compliance, intellectual property, data privacy and more within our online learning experiences and portfolio of educational technology solutions while also supporting the day-to-day operation of the center itself. We also support the growth and professional development of the Center through talent management and organizational development.

For more information, please visit our website: Academic Innovation.

Responsibilities*

• Provide thoughtful guidance regarding financial practices to CAI and DMC staff.
• Manage transactional activity in partnership with the University Shared Services Center, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, statement of activities reconciliation, travel and expense, service unit billings, and journal entries.
• Track and record revenues and expenses for departmental projects.
• Help prepare quarterly royalty statements and process payments.
• Initiate purchases of supplies and equipment using proper buying methods including purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and payment requests.
• Work with Procurement Services on requests for quotes and requests for proposals.
• Provide sponsored project pre-award and post-award support.
• Create monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports supporting budgetary oversight and financial analysis of funds for divisional activity.
• Help with Chatfield maintenance by opening and closing project grants and shortcodes.
• Recommend and implement process improvements.
• Provide backup to other team members including Concur expense reimbursements, reconciliations, gift processing, internal controls, and other accounting responsibilities.
• Perform other tasks and special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or related field.
• Three or more years of related financial/accounting experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with the University's financial, student, and HR systems.
• Experience working with database reporting and database structure and data management.
• Experience working collaboratively and diplomatically with other team members.
• Experience performing complex functions in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience creating and proposing new ways to improve processes and implement those processes.
• Ability to proactively manage competing priorities.
• Knowledge of and experience working with federal and corporate sponsors.
• Experience working with Nelnet or other credit card payment platforms
• Value diversity and the importance of inclusion expressed through a commitment to apply and incorporate the differences, complexities, and opportunities that diversity brings to an organization.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. Underfill posting title: Financial Specialist Associate Underfill U-M classification: Financial Specialist Associate (101224)

Additional Information

• Please Note: This is a 5-year term-limited position with the possibility of renewal depending on funding.
• This is not a remote position and any adjustments to a standard in-person schedule will be discussed during the hiring process.
• Must have legal authorization to work in the United States.
• The salary for this position will be based on the selected candidate's education and experience.
• Excellent benefits are available, for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu/

Salary Information

The general salary range for this position is $47,000 - $65,000. Candidates can expect to be paid a competitive and equitable salary. Factors used to determine salary include experience, knowledge, and skills for the position and internal equity within the unit. All candidates are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) is committed to inclusion in our organizational work, culture, climate, and the products we create. We strive to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse team as a reflection of our commitment to our work designing equitable and inclusive learning and work environments that are necessary for the university community to make progress on solving societal challenges. CAI draws on each of our team member’s unique backgrounds and experiences to guide our everyday work in the center, and our team collaborates with students, staff, and faculty on projects that center our commitment to DEIJ work. All interested applicants, including those from groups historically marginalized by educational privilege, are encouraged to apply.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

Decision Making Process

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including one booster when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely and temporary workers.   More information on this new policy is available on the U-M Health Response website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.