A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. A cover letter is required to be considered for this position. In the cover letter, please let us know how this position will align with your career aspirations and skills. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations).

For questions about this role or accommodation requests, contact talent.acquisition@umich.edu.

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. By offering graduate education, workforce training, research collaborations, and community engagement, UMCI serves as an important bridge between academia, industry, and the broader Detroit community advancing the city's growth as a hub for talent and opportunity

Reporting to the Director, Administration and Finance the Senior Accountant meaningfully contributes in managing UMCI's 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 analyses, and ensure the accuracy of financial statement line items. You will also help provide support in developing  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 (#LI-Hybrid ) with a blend of remote and onsite responsibilities.

View full job description

• Reconcile general ledger accounts and perform financial analysis across multiple fund types (e.g., general, grants, endowments).
• 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 coordinating 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.
• Support daily operations of the Business Office and complete additional duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in accounting in a large complex organization.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and financial reporting requirements.
• 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

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.

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
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.