Accountant 2

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Position Title:

Accountant II

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Accountant II

Job Duties:

This professional mid-level position serves a systemwide role supporting the stewardship of UW financial assets through complex cash management, reconciliations, and budget oversight activities. The Accountant II operates with a high degree of independence, applies GAAP and GASB standards, and provides guidance to UW universities and System Administration leadership.

Work Location
The office location is located at 780 Regent Street, Madison, WI. An in-office requirement is expected three (3) days per week and two days may be worked off-site/remote.  Telecommuting agreements are subject to change at any time.

Conditions of Employment
The UW System is required to conduct a criminal background and sexual harassment check for the selected finalist prior to employment.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Bank Reconciliations and Cash Management          

• Performs reconciliation of ZBA Parent account to the various accounts comprising the zero balance checking operations for all UW universities. Research un-reconciled balances and work with campuses to determine and resolve problems. Confers with UW System Cash Management Accountant to identify reconciliation items. Serves as internal control for UW System Cash Management Accountant’s work for separation of duties.

• Performs reconciliation of the UWSA deposit accounts and System-wide deposit account. Works directly with UWSA accounting operations and confers with UW System Cash Management Accountant to identify reconciliation items

• Reconciles the payment plus activity on the bank account. Communicates any outstanding items to the universities for resolution.

• Processes SFS check voids

• Assists with ticket resolution for cash management issues reported by universities.

• Assists UW System universities with adherence to state and UW System ZBA-related cash management policies. Provide problem resolution to campuses regarding reconciliation discrepancies and difficulties.

• Develops and prepares financial reports and supporting schedules required for audit and the State.

• Approves SinglePoint user additions and deletions

• Approves cash receipts journal in STAR

• Works with the Controller’s group made up of representatives from all universities, in areas of cash management and bank reconciliations.

Financial Accounting and Reconciliation

• Calculates and distributes monthly US Bank interest earnings to the UW universities.

• Monitors the emergency grant process and prepares the required reporting.

• Performs complex accounting and auditing reconciliations, journal entries, schedules, and reports

Budget Control and Accounting

• Analyzes and monitors university and systemwide budgets throughout the fiscal year, advising universities to maximize use of funding and minimize lapsing in accordance with legislative intent and Board of Regents policy.

• Processes Budget Amendments 

Additional Responsibilities

• Provides backup coverage for staff

• Performs other special projects as assigned

• Assists in the preparation and analysis of periodic and ad hoc reports for the Board of Regents, System Administration Management and others.

Department:

The Division of Finance and Administration is responsible for the conduct of all financial affairs and the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Universities of Wisconsin. The Vice President serves as the chief financial officer to the Board of Regents, President, Chancellors, and their staff in matters of financial policy and planning and is responsible for providing assurance of the fiscal integrity of the Universities of Wisconsin. The major financial functions include financial planning, financial control, administrative and Board of Regents’ policy review, trust funds investing, and financial and nonfinancial data reporting. The division also advises the Board of Regents, the President of the Universities of Wisconsin, and the UW universities in formulating, interpreting, and implementing policies related to sound business operations, oversight, and strategic planning. It provides leadership for systemwide projects to ensure highly functioning services consistent with best practices.

Compensation:

The Accountant II (job profile: Accountant II) is a full-time, salaried (exempt), academic staff position.Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $60,000. - $70,000. commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or related field from an accredited institution.
• Two or more years of experience in accounting or related role.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across an organization at all levels.
• Thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles.
• Knowledge of internal controls, business ethics, and financial platforms and practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with the UW System or State
• Experience working within Higher Education
• Proficiency with advanced Excel functions and ability to create complex spreadsheets and reports

How to Apply:

Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through April 27, 2026. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled. To receive full consideration, interested applicants are required to apply online and provide a Resume (PDF Format) and Cover letter addressing your experience and education as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualifications (PDF Format).

Contact Information:

Questions may be addressed to [email protected].

Accommodation Request

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting [email protected]. 

Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy

This offer of employment is conditional pending the results of a criminal background check and a reference check process that includes questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. If you have prior work history within the past 7 years with the Universities of Wisconsin, your personnel file will also be reviewed for employee misconduct. If the results are unacceptable, the offer will be withdrawn or, if you have started employment, your employment will be terminated.

Employment Authorization

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on, before, or after the effective date of appointment.   

Confidentiality

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7). 

Benefits Information

Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Faculty, Academic Staff & Limited Appointees  or University Staff   Please see this link for total compensation information: Universities of Wisconsin Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to provide you with total compensation information. 

Clery Act information 

The Universities of Wisconsin provides statistics on campus crime in its Annual Security Report.  For more information on university campus statistics see https://www.wisconsin.edu/compliance/clery/.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.