Job Details

Finance and Travel Specialist

Position Number: 6551047
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Business - Finance

Finance and Travel Specialist

Requisition Number: 67168
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 14-Sep-2025
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The BioFrontiers Institute welcomes applications for a Finance and Travel Specialist! This position plays a vital role in supporting the financial operations of the Institute by processing procurement card expenditures, travel requests and reimbursements, and expense reimbursements. This position works closely with faculty and staff to ensure financial transactions are processed accurately, on time, and in compliance with University and federal policies and procedures.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate financial expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. This role requires sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to maintaining compliance and integrity in all financial processes.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

At the University of Colorado BioFrontiers Institute, researchers from the life sciences, physical sciences, computer science, and engineering are working together to uncover new knowledge at the frontiers of science and partnering with industry to transform their discoveries into new tools.

The BioFrontiers Institute is uniquely defined by our excellent faculty, research, and leadership, and by the scientific and geographical ecosystem that empowers our work. BioFrontiers has a unique "frontier" culture that allows our researchers to explore new areas of bioscience by using the resources and talents across the Institute and the university system. The Institute integrates faculty members from eleven academic departments, allowing them to work across different subject areas.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Procurement Cards:

Monitor and reconcile all procurement card expenses, ensuring appropriate receipts and documentation are provided. Ensure each expense has a clear and concise business purpose and is reasonable, appropriate, allocable, and compliant. Obtain clarification and additional documentation to ensure compliance.
Maintain a strong understanding of the types of costs that are allowable on a sponsored project and various funding sources. Apply professional judgment to determine if charges are allowable under relevant federal, state, university, or project policies.
Maintain a tracking system for procurement card transactions.
Prepare accurate and complete expense reports, verify funding availability, correctly allocate expenditures, and advise employees to review and submit.
Provide training to current and new cardholders on proper procurement card usage and University procurement rules.
Collaborate with the institute Approving Official (AO) to ensure compliance with procurement regulations. Alert the AO to potential violations and investigate issues involving transactions, cardholder violations, or vendor disputes.
Manage cardholder accounts, including creation, updates, and closures.
Process cash receipts for personal or unallowable purchases made with a University card and attach them to reports.
Ensure timely submission of reports in accordance with University timelines.
Maintain departmental purchasing files and perform data collection and analysis.

Travel and Expense Reimbursement:

Educate and train BioFrontiers faculty and staff on CU business travel policies, including travel on federally funded grants. Assist with travel-related queries.
Review and approve travel authorization requests for employees and non-employees. Review travel details, verify funding and ensure compliance with all applicable University, Federal and institute travel policies.
Coordinate with staff and lab managers for group travel to ensure consistency and proper setup of travel authorizations.
Prepare and reconcile travel expense reimbursement reports, ensuring all receipts and documentation are included and expenses are correctly allocated.
Prepare non-employee travel reports, monitor payment status, and investigate delays or lost checks.
Liaise with travelers to ensure the timely submission of reports in accordance with University timelines.
Assess the need for a University Travel Card and initiate issuance when appropriate. Provide guidance on proper usage.
Assist with travel coordination, including event registrations, airfare, hotel, and transportation bookings.
Manage the preparation, processing, approval, and workflow for all employee and non-employee reimbursements, including moving reimbursements.
Provide guidance and enforce policies for reimbursing business-related expenses purchased with personal funds.
Ensure all required documentation, including itemized receipts, is received prior to processing reimbursements.

Departmental Duties:

Stay current with federal and University policies related to procurement, travel, finance, and sponsored projects.
Provide backup support for team members' tasks (e.g., procurement, finance, journal entries).
Coordinate events and support event logistics.
Develop and update policy and procedures.
Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency.
Foster and maintain strong administrative and fiscal relationships with campus offices such as the Office of Contracts and Grants, Campus Controller's Office, and Procurement Service Center.
Participate in professional development activities and serve on unit or campus committees.

What You Should Know

This position will work 3 days from home (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and two days in the office (Tuesday and Thursday) with some flexibility based on the candidate's needs.

What We Can Offer

The hiring range for this position is $55,100-$64,000 annually. Relocation is available for eligible candidates within department guidelines.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be resourceful. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree and one year experience in accounting, finance, budgeting, grant or research administration, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Proven track record of building and maintaining effective and trusting working relationships.
Solid organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to exercise discretion and work independently.
Capacity to thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining excellent customer service and responsiveness.
Sound judgment in evaluating expenditures.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
A cover letter that briefly describes how your background and experience align with this position.

We may ask for references at a later time.

Please apply by September 14, 2025 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Finance-and-Travel-Specialist/67168