Job Summary:
The Center for Dairy Research (CDR) is seeking a multi-purpose financial specialist to support a growing innovative unit on the UW-Madison campus. Housed in a new, state-of-the-art facility in Babcock Hall, CDR is the largest dairy foods research program in the US. The Center has over 60 full-time staff, supports graduate and undergraduate research, and provides technical and training support services to hundreds of dairy producers and processers around the globe.
The financial specialist will oversee and reconcile fund activity for over 20 grant funded research projects, operating funds from state and federal grant programs and revenue generating activities, and designated foundation funding. The position is critical to ensure compliance with campus policies, state law, and the uniform administrative requirements for federal awards. Other responsibilities will include managing accounts receivable and invoicing activities, approving expense reimbursements for staff and guests, and providing support to the procurement assistant. The financial specialist will be a member of a dynamic administrative team that provides guidance, organization, and oversight of essential CDR processes allowing our researchers, educators, production staff, and dairy industry experts to bring innovation, entrepreneurship, and education to the dairy industry.
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
- 20% 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
- 10% Serve as a unit liaison to leadership providing financial advice, recommendations, and financial status updates
- 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: http://diversity.wisc.edu">Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Preferred
Associate's Degree in financial or business-related field preferred
Qualifications:
Required:
- Relevant experience working in finance, accounting, or closely related field
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft 365 products, especially Excel and Outlook, or equivalent applications
- Working knowledge of financial systems supporting tracking and reporting of financial accounts, procurement, grant management, accounts receivable, and/or travel reimbursement
- Demonstrated attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and manage competing tasks and responsibilities throughout the day/week
Preferred:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal
- Experience with or ability to learn and comply with complex organizational, state, and federal policies and procedures
- Working knowledge of any of the following UW financial systems and tools: SFS, Wiser, Workday, Procurement Software (Shop UW+), UW Cost Transfer Tool
- Ability to work independently on projects after being provided general direction and guidance
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%
It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $58,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
The minimum salary for this position is $58,000. However, final salary will depend on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf
Additional Information:
- A Criminal Background Check may be required
- An Evaluation/Probationary 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 is 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:
Hong Zhang
hong.zhang@wisc.edu
608-265-4473
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See http://www.wisconsinrelay.com/">RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Financial Specialist III(FN008)
Department(s):
A07-COL OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES/DAIRY RES, CTR FOR
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
308617-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,
https://hr.wisc.edu/required-postings/workplace-posters/">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/">
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).
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https://jobs.wisc.edu/asr">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
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