Finance and Travel Specialist

Overview

Finance and Travel Specialist at University of Colorado Boulder. The Bio Frontiers Institute seeks a detail‑oriented professional to support financial operations, including procurement card expenditures, travel requests and reimbursements, and expense reimbursements. This position collaborates with faculty and staff to ensure transactions are processed accurately, on time, and in compliance with University and federal policies.

• Monitor and reconcile procurement card expenses, ensuring receipts and documentation are provided. Confirm each expense has a clear business purpose and is compliant. Obtain clarification and additional documentation as needed.
• Maintain understanding of allowable costs on sponsored projects and various funding sources. Apply professional judgment to determine allowability under applicable policies.
• Maintain a tracking system for procurement card transactions.
• Prepare accurate expense reports, verify funding availability, 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 Approving Official to ensure compliance with procurement regulations. Flag potential violations and investigate issues.
• Manage cardholder accounts (creation, updates, closures).
• Process cash receipts for personal or unallowable purchases and attach them to reports.
• Ensure timely submission of reports according to University timelines.
• Maintain departmental purchasing files and perform data collection and analysis.

• Educate and train Bio Frontiers faculty and staff on CU business travel policies, including federally funded travel. Answer travel-related queries.
• Review and approve travel authorization requests, verify funding, and ensure compliance with applicable policies.
• Coordinate with staff for group travel and proper setup of travel authorizations.
• Prepare and reconcile travel expense reimbursement reports with receipts and documentation.
• Prepare non-employee travel reports, monitor payment status, and resolve delays.
• Liaise with travelers to ensure timely submission of reports per timelines.
• Assess the need for a University Travel Card and provide guidance on usage.
• Assist with travel coordination (registrations, airfare, hotel, transportation).
• Manage reimbursements workflows for all employees and non-employees, including moving reimbursements.
• Guide and enforce policies for reimbursing expenses purchased with personal funds.
• Ensure all required documentation is received prior to processing reimbursements.

• Stay current with federal and University policies related to procurement, travel, finance, and sponsored projects.
• Provide backup support for team tasks (procurement, finance, journal entries).
• Coordinate events and support event logistics.
• Develop and update policy and procedures; recommend process improvements.
• Maintain strong administrative and fiscal relationships with campus offices (e.g., Office of Contracts and Grants, Campus Controller’s Office, Procurement Service Center).
• Participate in professional development and join unit or campus committees.

This position will work three days from home (Mon, Wed, Fri) and two days in the office (Tue, Thu) with some flexibility based on candidate needs.

Hiring range is $55,100–$64,000 annually. Relocation is available for eligible candidates within department guidelines.

CU Boulder offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit, and ECO Pass. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be resourceful. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

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

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain trusting working relationships.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise discretion and work…