Senior Accountant
The University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI) in Detroit is a transformative initiative dedicated to expanding access to education, promoting innovation, and supporting inclusive economic development. Reporting to the Director, Administration and Finance, the Senior Accountant contributes to managing UMCIs financial operations, supporting month-end, quarterly, and annual close processes across multiple fund types (operating, designated, gift, and grant). As the Senior Accountant, you will prepare journal entries, conduct complex financial analysis, and ensure the accuracy of financial statement line items. You will also help develop the annual operating budget, prepare financial reports for departmental leadership, and strengthen internal controls, policies, and procedures. The position is designed as a hybrid role with a blend of remote and onsite responsibilities.
What You'll Do:
- Reconcile general ledger accounts and perform financial analysis across multiple fund types.
- Prepare financial reports for University leadership, Regents, and regulatory agencies.
- Process and review journal entries related to key financial statement items.
- Perform internal controls, support gap analysis, and assist in refining accounting policies.
- Support month-end and year-end close processes for accuracy and completeness.
- Assist in annual budget development, planning, coordination, and variance analysis.
- Serve as budget liaison for assigned units and provide financial guidance.
- Resolve financial issues by evaluating and recommending appropriate solutions.
- Manage financial operations including research administration, transaction processing, and reporting.
- Analyze financial data, trends, and compile cost center reports from various sources.
- Create and run data queries using Business Objects; summarize findings in clear, actionable reports.
- Interpret and translate financial data into concise summaries with key insights.
- Lead all accounting functions for the department and perform various Business Office daily tasks.
Why Work at Michigan? In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include: generous time off, a retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting, many choices for comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, long-term disability coverage, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Accounting or Finance
- 5+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience in higher education
- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and familiarity with standards specific to nonprofit or higher education accounting
- Experience preparing journal entries and statement of account reconciliations
- Experience with financial systems, data query tools, and administrative software applications
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (can perform complex functions in Excel), Google Collaboration tools or related software
- Experience handling sensitive and confidential information with integrity, ethical, and professional standards
The work requirements allow both onsite and offsite work and an employee has an expected recurring onsite presence. On occasion, the employee may be required and must be available to work onsite more frequently if necessitated by unit leadership or their designee and/or the job requirements.
The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Job Opening ID: 267113
Working Title: Senior Accountant
Job Title: Accountant Senior
Work Location: Ann Arbor Campus Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work: Hybrid
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
FLSA Status: Exempt
Organizational Group: Um Ctr Innov Detroit
Department: UM Ctr Innovation in Detroit
Posting Begin/End Date: 8/06/2025 - 8/19/2025
Salary: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00
Career Interest: Finance