Financial Administration Accountant

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title:

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Job Profile:

Job Duties:

The performance in this position requires demonstrated ability to apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) reporting standards, familiarity with Universities of Wisconsin and State of Wisconsin fiscal rules, policies and procedures and participation in the Universities of Wisconsin financial decision making.

Key Job Responsibilities:

This Financial Administration Accountant position would include responsibility for the following types of activity: 

Leads the planning, execution, and review of annual non‑payroll tax filings, ensuring accuracy in withholding, reporting, and remittance while supporting strong internal controls and consistent system‑wide practices.

• Direct system‑wide year‑end tax reporting, including calendar development, data preparation, testing, reconciliation, approval workflows, and timely submission of all required filings.

• Serve as a subject matter expert for year‑end non‑payroll tax reporting and compliance across a multi‑campus higher‑education environment.

• Maintain and improve system‑wide tax compliance policies, procedures, and internal controls; perform data analytics and account reconciliations to ensure accuracy and completeness of tax‑related information.

• Partner with campus and central AP, Payroll, and HR teams to standardize tax‑sensitive business processes and provide ongoing training and support.

• Provide guidance to campus staff throughout the tax reporting cycle, including support for corrections and coordination of updated information with both campuses and recipients.

Leads and executes the development, organization, preparation, and maintenance of complex financial statements, journals, ledgers, accounts, and reports within an automated financial system to ensure accurate recording and reporting of financial transactions.

• Analyze financial data and compile supporting information to prepare GAAP‑based accounting entries for the monthly and annual financial close processes, as well as annual financial reporting requirements.

• Develop and maintain the extraction of data from financial systems and other databases for financial analysis, reconciliation, and reporting.

• Direct and design the compilation of data for statutorily required reports, external audit support documentation, and annual survey submissions.

• Prepare internal and external financial reports, including surveys, questionnaires, and ad‑hoc requests from Finance Administration leadership and campus stakeholders.

Perform other duties as assigned by Finance Administration leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or related field of study from an accredited institution.
• Three or more years of progressively responsible financial management experience including accounting, financial reporting and budgeting.
• Solid understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Strong and demonstrated understanding of financial operations and reporting.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across an organization at all levels.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA – Certified Public Accountant is highly desirable.
• Knowledge and experience applying GAAP and GASB based accounting practices in the preparation of financial statements.
• Familiarity with IRS tax reporting.
• Familiarity with the budget and legislative process within state government and/or higher education.
• Knowledge and experience using accounting systems and databases as well as the ability to query and compile financial data from the systems.
• Proficiency with advanced Excel functions and ability to create complex spreadsheets and reports.
• Effective organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently.
• Effective professional oral, written and interpersonal communication skills

Department:

The Department of Financial Administration has the primary responsibility for the fiscal integrity of the Universities of Wisconsin. It is expected to provide a financial environment that is secure, encourages the accomplishment of academic missions, provides timely and accurate information, and assists all levels of management in making prudent financial decisions.

Financial Administration has day-to-day operating and oversight responsibility for specific areas of system-wide financial management and related financial and budget controls, and tax reporting. In addition, the Financial Reporting sub-unit within Financial Administration prepares the Annual Financial Report of the Universities of Wisconsin (UWs) as well as many other financial reports requested by parties both internal and external to the UWs. 

Compensation:

The Financial Administration Accountant (job profile: Accountant III) is a full-time, salaried (exempt), academic staff position.  Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $79,000. - $89,000. commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.
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.

How to Apply:

Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through March 15, 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 angie.koppen@uwss.wisconsin.edu

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 uwshr@wisconsin.edu. 

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.