Specialist, Payroll & Accounting - University of Florida

Accountant II

The University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning’s mission is to improve the quality of teaching, learning, and childcare. We research, develop, and scale equitable educational innovations for adults and children that put all learners on trajectories for lifelong success. Specifically, the Center targets kindergarten readiness, 3rd grade reading proficiency, and algebra proficiency as critical milestones in children's educational trajectory that are predictive of success in school and life. The Center works at the nexus of research, practice, and policy to develop sustainable systems that leverage educational technologies and improve the implementation of research-based practices. Housed in one of the nation's elite public research universities, the Center operates as a dynamic, entrepreneurial workplace focused on executing against UF's service mission to strengthen the human condition and improve the quality of life. The Lastinger Center is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining top talent by valuing diversity of thought, skill, and experience. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe in fostering environments where team members feel included, valued for their differences, and empowered to do their best work.

Responsibilities:

Payroll Distribution & Effort Management

• Manage the payroll distribution process and provide support to effort certification reviews for over two hundred Faculty, Teams, and other positions at the Lastinger Center. Assists with the creation and monitoring of payroll allocations on department budgets, ensuring proper allocation of salaries to appropriate grants and projects. Uses critical thinking to identify, evaluate and solve complex issues related to payroll distributions and budget allocations. Investigates accounting errors and collaborates with relevant parties to rectify them. Serves as a link between project managers, faculty, and team leads to answer payroll distribution and budget questions, while interpreting and administering policies/procedures. Maintains accurate financial records. Provides support with effort commitments, salary caps, and processing deadlines.

Payroll Budget Management

• Assists in the preparation and management of Personnel budgets. Collaborates with Finance Manager and Coordinators in identifying, planning, and coordinating payroll distributions against all Lastinger Center accounts. Monitor and reconcile payroll expenses against budget allocations. Identify and address discrepancies in payroll budgeting.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Generates accounting reports. Compiles and provides data. Performs routine financial analyses and reconciliations. Assists with routine internal and external audits of payroll distributions as needed, providing necessary documentation and support. Acts as a liaison, communicating financial information with stakeholders. Conduct financial analysis to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for cost savings.

Process Improvement

• Develops recommendations for policies, procedures, and quality control systems to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of payroll and accounting functions.

Performs other duties as assigned

• Assist with special projects and provide general administrative support to the Business Services team.

Will travel for assigned business purpose minimally

Hybrid work location policy:

Lastinger Center for Learning supports and promotes a healthy work-life balance. To achieve this, the Lastinger Center offers a flexible, hybrid work schedule that aligns with the university’s Flexibility in the Workplace Policy. Allowing employees to stagger arrival and departure times as necessary and to vary the number of workdays in the office so long as an employee’s FTE commitment is fulfilled within the university workweek. This policy also allows for occasional, incidental remote work based on individual circumstances.

$55,000-$65,000

Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and two years of relevant experience.

The ideal candidate possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or a related field and four years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Advanced working knowledge of MS Excel.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.