Accounting Manager I

Accounting Manager I

The Accounting Manager I supports UWCU's financial integrity by overseeing day-to-day accounting operations that ensure accurate reporting, strong internal controls, and compliance with GAAP. This role helps deliver reliable financial results that support sound decision-making across the organization and reflects UWCU's commitment to acting in the members' best interest. The manager provides hands-on oversight of reconciliations, journal entries, high-risk general ledger accounts, and close activities, and works with other departments to resolve issues efficiently and professionally. They focus on operational excellence by maintaining and improving procedures, supporting system enhancements, and serving as a resource on payments, cash management, and audit readiness. As a people leader, the manager coaches and develops staff, encourages inclusive collaboration, and models UWCU's values of respect, teamwork, and continuous learning. Success in this role requires strong technical accounting skills, sound judgment, effective communication, and a proactive approach to improving processes and building trust with colleagues.

Responsibilities

Manage Accounting Operations

• Implement and operationalize changes to accounting guidance as directed by senior leadership.
• Monitor accounting transactions and review daily and weekly reports to identify errors, unusual items, or trends requiring action.
• Maintain and enforce internal control procedures within assigned accounting areas to ensure strong compliance and audit readiness.
• Review and approve journal entries to support accurate and complete financial records.
• Review monthly general ledger reconciliations prepared by staff and follow up on any outstanding items.
• Monitor high-risk general ledger accounts to ensure appropriate documentation and resolution.
• Review internal checking accounts for accuracy, proper support, and timeliness.
• Support daily cash management activities, including reviewing balances, monitoring liquidity, and authorizing recurring wires.
• Coordinate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities to support timely, accurate financial reporting.
• Train accounting staff on system changes, new processes, and updates to procedures.
• Prepare Modified Loan reporting documentation and related entries.
• Review delinquent loan reporting for accuracy and month-end expense details to identify discrepancies, unusual activity, or items needing further investigation.
• Review fixed asset additions, disposals, and depreciation setup to ensure proper classification and recording.
• Review regulatory filings such as the FR 2900 prepared by accounting staff for accuracy and timely submission.
• Serve as FedLine EUAC (End User Authorization Contact), conducting required access reviews, approvals, and control oversight.
• Assist in the annual budget process by gathering data and preparing initial analyses.
• Assist with the timely filing of required federal, state, and regulatory reports such as sales tax, real estate taxes, unclaimed property, and various Form 1099s.
• Gather information and prepare schedules for financial, regulatory, and internal audits.
• Stay current with changes to relevant tax forms and reporting requirements.

Deliver Operational Excellence

• Provide day-to-day oversight of assigned accounting functions, ensuring work is accurate, timely, and compliant with established controls.
• Support process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.
• Ensure all assigned accounting procedures are properly documented, up to date, and aligned with regulatory and policy guidelines.
• Work with internal technical teams to communicate system issues and support required testing or validation.
• Provide operational oversight of assigned payment systems, including wires, ACH, and correspondent banking.
• Maintain and update the general ledger structure and support system configuration changes as needed.
• Respond to inquiries from business units related to payment activity, general ledger accounts, and process workflows.
• Support implementation of new accounting, reporting, or payment solutions by completing user testing and training staff.
• Monitor weekly deposit product rate changes and ensure required updates are completed accurately.
• Document accounting processes, procedures, and controls to support consistency and audit readiness.
• Serve as backup to the Accounts Payable Manager, assisting with AP operations during absences or increased workload.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and initiatives as a subject matter resource.
• Perform other duties as needed to support the accounting department's goals and operations.

Leadership Expectations

• Responsible for inclusive excellence, essential leadership duties, and the development of team and self while continuously striving to achieve UWCU's goals, strategies & critical measures.
• Personal Responsibility and Accountability Build trust with the team inspiring growth and development while striving to make a positive impact on the business.
• Effective Communication Communicate inclusively and transparently, aligning work in a manner that reinforces UWCU's vision, mission, core values and goals. Uses social and emotional intelligence to navigate conflict, strengthen relationships and solve complex problems.
• Focus on Teamwork Encourage others to authentically bring their true self and skills to work, aligning them with the strategic goals of the team and organization. Recognize and reward individual and team efforts reinforcing the positive impacts to the team and organization.
• High-Performance Mindset Committed to operational excellence and improvement in the areas of compliance, organizational processes, and employee experience. Consistently meets or exceeds milestones and deadlines.
• Business Acumen Is a student of our business by understanding emerging industry trends competitor knowledge and how own functional area contributes to the organization. Uses strategic plan, critical measures, and data to recommend change and to execute plans to achieve organization effectiveness and strategic priorities.
• Inclusive Excellence Foster a collaborative and innovative team. Set the tone and model behaviors that create an environment where others feel valued, respected, a sense of belonging, and the ability to positively contribute. Creates equitable access to development and career
• Recruitment and Retention Recruit and retain top talent. Develop diverse talent pipelines, aligning with UWCU's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consistently utilizes coaching and development as an engagement, retention, and inclusion strategy.
• Change Leadership Views change as a necessary constant and positions it in a way that creates engagement and capitalizes on opportunities for individual and team growth and
• Coach Approach approaches people leadership from a place of curiosity and growth mindset, providing continuous feedback focused on employee development. Invites feedback from all directions; recognizing growth and development are a daily process.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Finance required
• 6-7 years of experience in accounting required.
• 6-7 years of experience in financial institutions preferred.
• Previous experience in a supervisory/leadership role preferred.

Skills

• Strong proficiency with automated accounting systems, ERP platforms, general ledger applications, and advanced spreadsheet tools.
• Solid working knowledge of GAAP with the ability to apply accounting principles to day to day business situations.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, including coaching team members and building effective cross departmental relationships.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with high accuracy, attention to detail, and sound judgment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and collaboration tools such as Teams and SharePoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and professionally to different audiences.
• Collaborates effectively with the Senior Accounting Manager, seeking advisory guidance on complex operational issues and ensuring alignment with financial reporting and control standards.

Working at UW Credit Union

Join one of Wisconsin's premier financial institutions, a National Top Workplace and multi-year recipient of Madison Magazine's Best Places to Work, Wisconsin State Journal's Top Workplaces, and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Top Workplaces to receive:

• 21.5 days of annual time off (accrued per pay period)
• 2 weeks paid caregiver leave
• 2.5 weeks paid new child parental leave
• 2 days paid volunteer time
• 10 paid holidays (including your birthday!)
• 401k company match of up to 5%, plus approximately 4% discretionary match
• Variable bonus reward
• Competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans, including domestic partner eligibility
• Employee Assistance Program
• And