Accounting Operations Strategic Automation Specialist

essential accounting functions - including accounts payable, purchasing, reconciliations, and financial close activities - while identifying ways to use automation, data analytics, and AI-enabled tools to reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and support better decision-making. The successful candidate will be comfortable moving between day-to-day financial operations and broader strategic initiatives. You will collaborate with colleagues across the University, assess current processes, develop practical improvements, and help build a culture that embraces innovation, efficiency, and responsible financial stewardship. What You'll Do Strengthen accounting and financial operations

Support accurate financial reconciliations and proactively identify and resolve variances.
Establish, maintain, and continuously improve reconciliation procedures and timelines.
Support timely monthly reporting and year-end close and audit activities.
Oversee accounts payable and procurement processes, including invoice processing, vendor management, payment practices, and cash-flow considerations.
Provide lead direction and guidance to assigned staff and student employees.

Advance strategic sourcing and cost optimization

Analyze University spending to identify cost-saving opportunities, purchasing efficiencies, duplicate vendors, and opportunities to consolidate services.
Support requests for proposals for major purchasing categories, evaluate vendor responses, and recommend sourcing strategies aligned with University priorities.
Monitor contract renewals, vendor performance, cost increases, and related budget impacts.
Strengthen vendor relationships while improving payment terms, processes, and financial visibility.

Lead automation and process modernization

Identify, design, and implement automation opportunities across accounting and financial workflows.
Develop automated accounts payable entry, approval, and payment processes, including ACH, wire, and check workflows with improved tracking.
Use data analytics, exception reporting, intelligent matching, and standardized templates to improve reconciliation processes.
Explore practical uses of AI-enabled accounting tools, robotic process automation, and other emerging technologies.
Partner with Finance, Information Services, budget managers, and other campus colleagues to ensure that technology recommendations support institutional priorities and include appropriate training and resources.
Help colleagues understand and adopt new processes by building engagement, providing guidance, and demonstrating the value of change.
Required qualifications

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial operations, procurement, strategic sourcing, or a closely related area.
Strong proficiency with ERP systems, financial software, electronic procurement platforms, and advanced Microsoft Excel functions, including pivot tables and lookup functions.
Demonstrated success designing and implementing process improvements, automation, or system enhancements.
Experience using - or the ability to effectively evaluate and apply - AI-enabled accounting tools and emerging automation technologies.
Strong financial and analytical skills, including the ability to assess costs and benefits, evaluate contracts, monitor performance measures, and translate data into recommendations.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities with limited direction.
A collaborative, customer-service-focused, and solution-oriented approach.

Additional experience that will help you succeed

Accounting, procurement, or financial operations experience in higher education or another complex organization.
Experience with expense management systems such as Concur.
Experience with accounts payable automation or electronic procurement platforms such as Jaggaer.
Experience leading change initiatives, building organizational support, and encouraging innovation.
Experience providing direction or guidance to staff or student employees.