Financial Specialist III

University of Wisconsin Madison
$54,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
paid time off
United States, Wisconsin, Madison
21 North Park Street (Show on map)
Nov 13, 2024
Job Summary: The Business Services Office at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) is looking for a motivated and team-oriented person to join our finance team. This person will provide financial support in the areas of purchasing, travel, expenses, accounting journal entries, accounts receivable, billing, etc. The finance team supports many different departments/units within the division and serves as back-up support for any department/unit in need of temporary assistance. The person who joins this team will function independently, as a member of the CALS finance team, and will work closely with their assigned departments/units. This position is entrusted with overseeing complex financial transactions, monitoring fund balances, and ensuring compliance with campus and UW Foundation policies, state law, and related rules and regulations. Responsibilities will include transaction processing, employee reimbursement, and other accounting functions. The position will enter, review, and assign funding strings, and approve and advise on a variety of financial transactions. In addition, they will reconcile transactions, maintain financial records including retention, and provide administrative processing support and customer services for faculty and staff. The position will serve as a key point of contact for financial inquiries related to campus policies and procedures while offering support and guidance. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, be detail oriented, and exercise sound financial judgement. They will thrive in a collaborative environment, and exercise initiative. The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) is committed to maintaining and growing a culture that embraces diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements of our excellence and fundamental components of a positive and enriching learning and working environment for all students, faculty, and staff. At CALS, we acknowledge that bias, prejudice, racism, and hate have historically occurred in many forms that cause significant and lasting harm to members of our community. We commit to taking actions each day toward a college that is inclusive and welcoming to all. Responsibilities: Primarily reviews, approves, and advises on a variety of complex financial transactions. Reconciles transactions. Maintains financial records, provides administrative processing support, and provides customer service for staff and customers in an assigned program area to support program financial management. Recommends controls and process improvements and troubleshoots complex financial errors. May be a lead or resource for others in the unit. 10% Monitors financial transactions and fund balances and generates and reconciles complex reports and statements in accordance with established rules and regulations 30% Reviews and approves complex transactions and assigns funding codes in accordance with established rules, regulations, and policies 10% Reallocates expenses to appropriate funding strings 10% Drafts communications and reports and maintains organization of varied records to provide administrative support within a specified work unit 20% Answers complex fiscal questions and provides information based on set materials and standards to various audiences 5% Reviews transaction processing internal controls and recommends policies and procedures 5% Serve as a unit liaison to leadership providing financial advice, recommendations, and financial status updates 10% May train staff on financial processes and best practices Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion Education: Preferred Associate's Degree Qualifications: Required Qualifications - Effectively managing a high volume of varied tasks (e.g., organizing, prioritizing, consistently meeting deadlines, managing multiple tasks, etc.) - Providing customer service to a variety of audiences (e.g., responding to inquiries, providing technical support, transparency, guiding customers through a transaction, follow-up / follow-through, etc.) - Demonstrating attention to detail (being thorough, accurate, and consistent in completing tasks, etc.) - Experience working in the area of finance, accounting, or closely related field Preferred Qualifications - Experience working with any of the following: procurement, purchasing, travel reimbursements, accounts receivable/billing, tracking and reporting of financial accounts - Computer skills (e.g., creating correspondence using word processing software, creating and maintaining spreadsheets, utilizing Outlook/similar software to perform email correspondence, participated on virtual platforms such as Zoom or Teams) - Demonstrated working knowledge of any of the following UW financial systems and tools: PeopleSoft financial and human resources software (UW SFS and HRS), Workday financial and human resources software, Jaegger procurement software (Shop UW+), UW-Madison Journal Entry Tool (JET), UW-Madison Cost Transfer Tool Work Type: Full Time: 100% This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location. Appointment Type, Duration: Ongoing/Renewable Salary: Minimum $54,000 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications The minimum starting salary for this position is $54,000 - $65,000/annually. However, final salary will depend on experience and qualifications. This position provides a generous amount of paid time off. Additional Information: -Criminal Background Check may be required -A 12-month evaluation Period may be required -The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States by the start of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position. How to Apply: Click on the "Apply Online" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents/Application Materials: Resume (required) - Detail your educational and professional background Cover letter (required) - Refer to your related work experience It's important that your cover letter and resume reflect your experience for this position related to the Qualifications section. Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Contact: Sonia Parker sonia.parker@wisc.edu 608-890-2547 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. Official Title: Financial Specialist III(FN008) Department(s): A07-COL OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES/ADMIN SVCS/BUS SVCS Employment Class: Academic Staff-Renewable Job Number: 307866-AS The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/ Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.