Accountant

Do you take pride in understanding, explaining, and ensuring the appropriate use of funds? Does using Excel to monitor, analyze, and project fund balances spark joy for you? Do you like to help your stakeholders by providing options to achieve their goals within the rules? You are going to love this job!

The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies is seeking an Accountant to join our stellar
Administrative Services team. You will initiate financial transactions in SFS and JET, run reports in WISER to update financial planning spreadsheets, and assist faculty, students, and staff with purchasing. You will also work with the Associate Dean for Administration to develop and manage the annual budget in PlanUW and support the Research Administration team with post-award accounting.

In return, you can expect a COLLEGIAL, RESPECTFUL and SUPPORTIVE team environment, a FLEXIBLE work arrangement (hours and location), and work that has VARIETY and AUTONOMY. Your efforts will enable top tier faculty to focus on confronting global environmental challenges with their research and enable brilliant professors to focus on preparing the next generation to lead.

The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies is committed to elevating underrepresented voices, promoting anti-racism, and modeling inclusive excellence at UW-Madison. As the most interdisciplinary academic unit on campus, we believe the diverse perspectives and experiences of our community are key to innovation and shared success. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Job Summary:
Performs general accounting duties following generally accepted accounting principles and procedures. Prepares financial reports and assists with budgeting. Ensures the accurate recording and reporting of the business unit's financial transactions.

Essential Responsibilities:
- 15% Organizes, prepares, and updates basic financial statements, monthly and year-end journal entries, accounts, ledgers, and reports for various financial needs within an automated financial system to ensure accurate recording and reporting of financial transactions
- 10% Prepares and analyzes financial data, reports and records, identifies discrepancies,
investigates, recommends, and implements basic solutions as needed
- 10% Assists with accounting and reviewing reconciliations, journal entries, schedules, and reports
- 5% Answers questions and provides accounting related information to internal and external stakeholders according to established policies and procedures
- 10% Assists in preparing budgets and financial projections
- 30% Prepares and/or approves financial transactions and payments
- 15% Assists with post-award accounting by auditing and approving financial transactions such as subaward invoices, PI transfers, refunds, payments, cost transfers and fiscal closeout of awards and projects
- 5% Supports the Fee for Service program with billing and project set-up/close-out

Required Qualifications:
- Highly skilled with Microsoft Excel, including use of formulas and pivot tables
- Demonstrated knowledge of accounting/financial transactions
- Understanding of funding types and appropriate uses

Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated independent problem solving and analytical skills, attention to detail and
organization
- Experience with budgeting and budget management
- Familiarity with the financial practices and tools of UW-Madison, including purchasing and expense reimbursement
- Enthusiasm for welcoming and including those historically overlooked in Environmental fields
- Experience interpreting and applying University or State of Wisconsin rules, regulations, and guidelines
- Strong interpersonal communication skills and positive attitude toward customer service and teamwork