Financial Accountant

Salary/Position Classification

• $50,000-$56,000+ annual, dependent on experience
• 40 hours per week
• Hybrid Work Availability: This position requires in-office presence several days per week and does not support fully remote work

Purpose of Position

UND is seeking a highly organized, results-focused Financial Accountant who is ready to make a difference. This role is an ideal fit for a motivated self-starter who thrives in a dynamic growth environment. This position reports to UND’s Associate Controller.

This role is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive reconciliations between HCM transactions and the general ledger, including balance sheet accounts, payroll journals, and data fields across Accounts Payable, Finance, and Human Resources. This role involves troubleshooting and documenting processes, testing software modifications, and resolving issues to optimize our financial and payroll operations.

The University of North Dakota’s Central Finance team is a leader in innovative, transformative processes to meet the challenges of higher education finance. We are committed to learning and growth opportunities for our talented staff.  Our success is a direct result of our remarkable team.   

Duties & Responsibilities

• Establish best practices for Peoplesoft Human Capital Management (HCM) set-up to ensure general ledger accuracy as well as accurate payroll information
• Serve as the subject matter expert for the Payroll ERP system (Peoplesoft HCM) and its integration with the financial ERP system (Peoplesoft Finance)
• Represent UND’s interest on ND University System Financial User Group and HCM User Group meetings
• Develop the reconciliation between all HCM transactions to the general ledger. This includes identifying, documenting, and correcting errors as well as communicating with the department contact so the error is understood and rectified going forward.
• Responsible for understanding, documenting, and troubleshooting all accounts payable, payroll, and general ledger processes to improve troubleshooting issues 
• Reconcile all HCM balance sheet accounts monthly and to a zero balance and perform the payroll journal reconciliation per pay cycle; develop a reconciliation process for all balance sheet accounts
• Create reconciliation of data fields between Accounts Payable, Finance, and Human Resources 
• Test HCM software modifications before implementations start and integrate with the general ledger financial module
• Resolve problems and mediate solutions
• Other duties as assigned

Required Competencies

• Demonstrated strong communication skills – including written, oral, and listening skills: articulate ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively, showing sensitivity to one's audience. Ability to influence team without direct authority and navigate through difficult or ambiguous situations.
• Assesses situations, consider alternatives and chooses an appropriate course of action while weighing potential risk.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Requires the ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet established goals and objectives.
• Ability to take initiative, be self-directed and maintain very strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated team player and treats others with respect, while confidently contributing to the team.
• Maintains a positive attitude and the ability to adapt to changes with a positive outlook; open to new and different ways of doing things.
• Ability to be receptive to new ideas and ways of doing things.
• Demonstrated ability working in a cohesive team, willing to back up and support other team members.
• Ability to quickly and rationally grasp the “big picture” goal.
• Ability to look for efficiencies in processes and offer value added suggestions to customers about their needs.
• Positive outlook.
• Utilizes knowledge of industry to make practical applications in everyday operations.
• Establishes priorities and organizes work in a logical manner to accomplish goals.
• Demonstrated ability working in a cohesive team, willing to back up and support other team members and treat others with respect, while confidently contributing to the team.
• Anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Banking and Investments (will consider May 2025 graduates. Degree must be completed by June 15, 2025)
• One year of progressive responsibility experience in an accounting, finance, banking or related environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, including Word and Outlook, and in particular, experience of Excel with the ability to generate a summary of the data.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA
• Experience with PeopleSoft software, specifically Human Capital Management module.
• Educational background or professional experience with governmental/fund accounting.