Senior Property Auditor - Finance Division

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!

The Finance Division is about more than just money and assets. We are builders and connectors who ensure the university can not only deliver on its mission, but also innovate and thrive for the foreseeable future. Through top-tier financial expertise, evidence-based analysis, and creative thinking with a human approach, we are equipped to keep all of CMU in a position of strength.

We are seeking a Senior Property Auditor to join the team! The Senior Property Auditor plays a key role within Carnegie Mellon University’s Property Accounting Services (PAS) team, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the university’s movable capital asset records. This position conducts physical inventories, reconciles exceptions, tags new and donated assets, processes and documents dispositions, and generates a variety of financial and inventory reports. The Senior Property Auditor also reviews equipment purchases for compliance with the Capitalization Policy, supports space and facilities initiatives, and contributes to special projects that advance departmental goals. Serving as a vital liaison between PAS and the broader university community, this role communicates policies and procedures, provides audit support, and coordinates department-led inventory efforts. The position requires extensive fieldwork and significant mobility, including walking across campus, maneuvering in tight spaces, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, bend, reach, grasp, and climb stairs.

Core Responsibilities:

Inventory Management (35%)

• Execute and verify physical tagging, inspection, and reconciliation of all newly acquired and donated assets in compliance with Uniform Guidance and FAR.
• Lead and document the annual physical audit and validation of movable capital assets, ensuring high confidence in the 100% reconciliation rate and timely updates to the Fixed Asset System.
• Collaborate with Space Management to integrate asset and space data, improving F&A rate accuracy, audit readiness, and utilization reporting.
• Proactively identify control gaps in physical inventory processes and propose system or workflow improvements to reduce manual effort and audit findings.

Reporting and Data Analytics (30%)

• Leverage financial, analytical, and reporting tools to produce timely reports supporting internal controls, external and federal audits, and depreciation analysis within the F&A cost model.
• Analyze capital asset data to uncover trends, inform leadership decisions, and enhance transparency in asset utilization and financial reporting.
• Establish KPIs for asset lifecycle performance, including reconciliation accuracy, aging of disposals, and inventory completion timeliness.
• Maintain complete audit trails for all asset acquisitions, movements, and disposals; coordinate documentation with Sponsored Projects Accounting and departmental contacts.
• Review and approve capital equipment purchases to confirm policy and federal compliance, escalating exceptions as needed.

Communication, Collaboration, and Training (20%)

• Act as the university’s subject matter expert for property compliance and audit preparedness.
• Develop and lead training programs for departmental administrators to strengthen compliance awareness and improve decentralized asset management accuracy.
• Provide responsive, consultative support to departments during audits, inventory cycles, and asset transactions.
• Communicate key audit metrics and findings quarterly to PAS leadership, highlighting progress against audit readiness and compliance targets.

Process Improvement and Strategic Projects (15%)

• Lead or participate in PAS modernization initiatives, focusing on automation, reporting accuracy, and cross-system integration.
• Continuously review and streamline inventory workflows to improve data quality, shorten cycle times, and enhance productivity.
• Benchmark CMU’s asset management practices against peer institutions and federal audit standards to drive continuous improvement.
• Prepare management reports summarizing trends, audit observations, and recommended mitigations, ensuring follow-up actions are implemented and verified.
• Serve as a key support resource for the PAS team by assisting with various tasks and providing backup coverage as needed.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University.  We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 5-8 years of relevant work experience.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Mobility and Physical Requirements

• Frequent campus fieldwork, including navigating tight spaces and physically verifying tagged equipment.
• Must be able to push, pull, or lift up to 50 pounds and safely maneuver in a range of environments to inspect equipment.

Requirements:

• Successful background check

Additional Information:

• Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Carnegie Mellon is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Carnegie Mellon

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Business Administration and Services

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Hourly

More Information: