Financial Specialist

Job Summary:
This position is a member of the Russell Labs Administrative Center that supports the academic departments of Entomology, Forest and Wildlife Ecology, and Plant Pathology. The Financial Specialist III will work under the supervision of the Administrative Manager and general direction from the Department Administrator.

Working alongside another Financial Specialist III, this position will work collaboratively with faculty, academic researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, and other employees to provide financial management of various grants, gifts, and other types of funding sources.

The Financial Specialist III will be expected to demonstrate excellent communication skills, be customer service oriented, and have the ability to work effectively with department, division, and campus-level colleagues. A successful candidate will have strong attention to detail and use systems thinking skills to interpret and apply financial policies and procedures.

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.

• 20% 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
• 15% 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
• 15% 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% 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 in finance, accounting, business or related field. At least 2 years of related professional experience may substitute.
Qualifications:
Required Skills and Experience:
- Strong interpersonal skills, including excellent verbal and written communication
- Ability to manage, prioritize, and track multiple concurrent tasks/projects
- Demonstrated proficiency with applications in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- Demonstrated independent judgment and effective decision-making skills
- Adaptability and willingness to work both independently and collaboratively with a diverse population of faculty, staff and students

Preferred
- Familiarity with UW system financial policies and procedures, and budget regulations and restrictions on various account types (such as program revenue, gift, GPR, federal grants)
- Experience with process improvement initiatives and/or change management
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 $55,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Additional Information:
As a Russell Labs Financial Specialist III, you will be eligible for the University of Wisconsin's comprehensive benefits package. This includes health insurance, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System, and generous vacation, holiday, personal, and sick leave time.
How to Apply:
Click on the "Apply Online" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents/materials:

1. Resume (required) - Detail your educational and professional background
2. Cover Letter (required) - Refer to your related work experience
3. References (required) - List contact information for three (3) references, including your current/most recent supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior notice.
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/ADM SVCS CTR/RUSSELL LABS
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
303649-AS