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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Who We Are

The University of Michigan is one of the world's most powerful engines for scholarly research, service, and impact. Sustaining and supporting the University's robust research enterprise is vital for maximizing innovation and economic development. As a service and resource for innovative investigators interested in the commercialization of research, Innovation Partnerships is a unit of the Office of Research that plays a central role in helping to ensure that society realizes the benefits of the research conducted on campus.

Innovation Partnerships enhances research discoveries to encourage licensing and broad deployment with existing businesses and newly formed U-M startups. Innovation Partnerships has earned a reputation for performance among the top 10 of all universities through providing responsive, professional service to our inventors and industry partners.

What You'll Do

Innovation Partnerships is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Operational Finance Analyst to join our finance team. This is a unique opportunity for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of operational finance, reconciliation, reporting, and process improvement to take on a vital role within our business operations team and make a meaningful impact at the university.

The Operational Finance Analyst supports the financial operations of Innovation Partnerships by owning core monthly reconciliation activities, contributing to year-end close, producing monthly metrics reporting, and driving improvements in how the unit reports on and educates around its

financial operations. This role works closely with the Budget Analyst Lead and the broader finance team to ensure the unit's financial records are accurate, timely, and meaningful, and to help build the reporting and process foundation that supports a growing analytical function. This position requires strong attention to detail, comfort working independently, and a genuine interest in improving how things get done.

Reconciliation and Monthly Close:

• Reconcile expenditures and revenues on the monthly Statement of Activity, ensuring adherence to accounting practices and guidelines.

• Reconcile the check log, clearing account, and deferred revenue account on a monthly basis.

• Identify and resolve discrepancies, escalating complex or unusual items to the Budget Analyst Lead.

• Maintain detailed documentation of reconciliation activities and supporting work papers.

Year-End Close Support:

• Prepare and post year-end adjusting journal entries in coordination with the Budget Analyst Lead.

• Support year-end close activities, including review and reconciliation of accounts, preparation of supporting schedules, and resolution of close-related issues.

• Contribute to the unit's preparation for internal control reporting and GAP analysis cycles.

Metrics Reporting:

• Prepare comprehensive monthly metrics reports and analyses for unit leadership, ensuring accuracy and clarity of presentation.

• Synchronize metrics inputs from the IP management system with M-Pathways accounting ledgers and other unit data sources.

• Maintain reporting documentation and refine report templates and methodologies over time.

Business Process Support and Reporting Improvement:

• Contribute to the ongoing improvement of how and what the unit reports, including refining existing reports, developing new reports to meet emerging needs, and standardizing reporting practices across the finance function.

• Support the development and documentation of financial procedures and policies for Innovation Partnerships.

• Provide unit education on financial procedures and policies, helping non-finance staff understand the requirements, expectations, and rationale behind unit-wide financial practices.

• Identify opportunities to streamline operational finance workflows and contribute to the implementation of process improvements.

Tech Transfer Finance and Operational Support:

• Provide support for tech transfer finance activities, including agreement quality control review in the IP management system, agreement data verification, and related financial accuracy checks.

• Provide backup support for operational finance activities as needed, including ad-hoc analysis, expense review, and reconciliation work.

• Support special projects and process improvements within the finance function as assigned. Cross-train with other members of the finance team to ensure coverage continuity and shared knowledge of the unit's finance work.

Additional duties and special projects may be assigned as required.

Required Qualifications*

To excel in this role, you should possess:

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience with at least 2-5 years in financial analysis, accounting, or operational finance.
Demonstrated understanding of financial and accounting principles, including reconciliation
practices, journal entries, and basic financial reporting.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and general computer literacy.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify discrepancies, investigate root causes, and resolve issues independently.
Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in financial work.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts and procedures clearly to non-finance staff.
Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet recurring monthly deadlines, and manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Desired Qualifications*

Experience with U-M financial systems (M-Pathways) and familiarity with University policies and procedures are a plus.
Experience working in a research, technology transfer, or higher education business setting.
Experience contributing to financial process improvement, reporting standardization, or business process documentation.
Experience providing financial education or training to non-finance staff.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

The position reports directly to the Budget Analyst Lead within the Innovation Partnerships Office.
The work schedule for this position is hybrid and will be 40 hours a week.

Required to be in the office 1-2 days per month at minimum, with occasional additional in-office days as needed for staff meetings, events, or other unit activities.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At U-M we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. 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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.