Assistant Financial Officer / Administrative Associate I

MSU Internal Job Postings Details • East Lansing, MI

7h • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Financial Officer in the College of Natural Science reports directly to the MAU Financial Officer. This role is responsible for assisting with the strategic direction and financial operations of the college in collaboration with the Financial Officer and Dean. This position supports the College of Natural Science Dean's Office.

Requirements

• Knowledge of and sound ability to conduct financial activity on behalf of the college in a fiscally responsible manner; ability to exercise appropriate financial controls.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and effectively manage financial resources and budgeting processes.
• Understanding and ability to strictly comply with policies and procedures of MSU, the College, and relevant administrative offices.
• Business and financial acumen and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Access and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to support responsible resource allocation and management.
• Ability to synthesize and present information/data to facilitate effective decision-making.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse populations and a commitment to professionalism with a customer service focus.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with various internal and external stakeholders at all levels with diplomacy.
• Ability to demonstrate self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and strong social skills in daily interactions.
• Skill, ability to organize, analyze, and plan strategically, demonstrating commitment to continuous improvement.
• Capacity to manage operational priorities, including developing strategies that integrate plans and objectives of several programs, services, and activities across units.
• Ability to uphold and promote the College’s core values and strategic priorities through consistent and principled actions.
• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Business Administration, Accounting, Management or field related to employing unit; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in financial or accounting practices, developing research projects, funding and grant practices and/or experience in a field related to the area of employment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Spartan Financial Navigator Applications or comparable systems.
• Experience planning, directing, and managing budget processes.
• Experience working with MSU Major Administrative Units and Budget Officers (Controllers Office, Office of the Provost, Office of the President)

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with the Financial Officer and Dean, to develop long-term financial plans to advance the College's operational and research priorities.
• Assisting with the development, execution, and management of comprehensive budget strategies for the college, exercising sound judgment and critical analysis in financial planning, resource allocation, and expenditure authorization and controls.
• Working with the Financial Officer and Dean to develop, organize, and facilitate budgetary goals and strategic initiatives for the College and University.
• Serving as a Raise Administrator for the College who is responsible for timely calculation and communication of raise control totals to Unit Leadership and facilitating submission of final raise determinations to University HR.
• Assisting with the development of strategic financial recommendations, reports, KPIs, and analytical insights for executive leadership and diverse stakeholders.
• Working with NatSci Unit Leadership to ensure all required financial budgeting and reporting is completed at unit level and rolled up to MAU level for submission to University in a timely manner.
• Assisting with maintaining a database of MAU level commitments and is responsible for distributing those commitments to Units and other MAUs as appropriate throughout the year.
• Tracking commitment and distribution of special allocations from Central Administration to ensure those resources are being used for their intended purposes.
• Working with University Administration to ensure the smooth roll out of financial operating and budgeting software changes to Unit users.
• Providing support for accounting and operational activities including preparing financial statements and reports.
• Assisting with monitoring, reconciling, and preparing monthly financial reports for General, Designated, Plant, and Expendable Restricted Fund accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Representing the college in financial interactions—including vendor negotiations, contract administration, and cross-unit coordination.
• Maintaining fiduciary oversight of financial activities, ensuring effective internal controls and full compliance with audit requirements.
• Developing, implementing, and monitoring internal accounting structures, policies, procedures, and financial controls to ensure compliance and mitigate institutional risk.
• Ensuring adherence to all applicable MSU and NatSci policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements aligned with role responsibilities.
• Serving as a subject matter expert to the Dean’s Office Support Staff in their interactions with faculty in the College.
• Assisting with providing support and guidance to Unit Leadership and unit level Fiscal Officer duties.
• Assisting in resolving fiscal and administrative issues, aligning financial operations with institutional goals and project expectations.
• Performing other duties, as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Benefits

• Equal Employment Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level