Description

Position Overview

The Accountant Senior provides advanced accounting and financial oversight for KU Operations, with a primary focus on Facilities, Planning, and Development (FPD) capital and infrastructure projects. Reporting directly to the Director of Operations Finance, this position serves as a senior member of the Operations Finance team and as the lead accounting resource supporting FPD-managed projects.

This role is responsible for complex project accounting, capital financial compliance, and audit-ready financial management throughout the full lifecycle of construction and renovation projects. The Accountant Senior ensures accuracy, consistency, and adherence to generally accepted accounting principles, university policies, and state and regulatory requirements.

The position works closely with Facilities project managers, planners, Procurement, the Comptroller's Office, and central administrative partners to manage funding, contracts, invoicing, and financial reporting for large-scale, high-risk projects. The role exercises independent judgment, prioritizes competing deadlines, and operates effectively with indirect supervision while providing responsive customer service and financial guidance to a wide range of stakeholders.

In addition to project accounting, the Accountant Senior supports organizational efficiency by maintaining strong internal controls, identifying process improvements, and contributing to standardized financial practices across the Operations portfolio.

This position works Monday through Friday 8 am - 5pm

Job Description

65% - Accounting:

• Complete project accounting duties for projects complete by Facilities Planning and Development. Work includes budgeting, forecasting, analyzing data from various university sources and software, and procurement FITC training.
• Ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles to execute, analyze, reconcile, verify, and report financial transactions.
• Experience with institutional and state policies, procedures, and restriction to maintain internal controls is desired.
• Review and analyze journal ledger entries, transfer funds, monitor bond funds, and direct year-end and project closeout processes.
• Manage and analyze project budgets, funding, and expenses. Audit large capital construction projects to recover and avoid costs.
• Enter project budgets, purchase orders, and associated costs into Maximo database.
• Reconcile funding issues with project managers, departments, and comptroller. To include routing, processing and tracking payments for professional, ancillary services, construction contracts, and material procurement.
• Communicate with vendors and clients regarding payments and project balances.
• Manage internal FPD departmental invoicing associated with projects.
• Compile legislative report data for yearend reporting, as requested, with support from Budget office and Operations Business office.
• Prepare KBOR project expenditure reports in partnership with other Operations Business Office financial staff.
• Request project related tax exemption certificates
• Request cost centers and manage new vendor set up

15% - Data Management/Processes:

• Manage OAC, Maximo database accounting; enter, receive, reconcile and close POs, and project management software. Develop and direct procedures for invoicing and tracking payments and funding along with financial reports.

15% - Contracts Support:

• Prepare, evaluate, review and finalize AIA contracts for FPD. This can also include contract addenda- for planning, design, construction management, and construction services.

5% - Other Duties assigned

Position Requirements

• Primarily sedentary work, involving sitting for extended periods.
• Occasional walking to different locations within the office or campus.
• Ability to lift and carry light objects, such as files or documents, if needed.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in a related field and three (3) years of related experience OR High School diploma and six (6) years of related experience
2. Four (4) years of experience using Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel).
3. Experience in design and construction accounting environments as evidenced by application materials.

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete application includes:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications
• Resume/CV
• List of three (3) professional references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application review begins Friday, July 17th and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.