Financial Manager

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the primary financial manager for a portfolio of central campus units reporting to the Chancellor's and Provost's Offices. The role provides strategic financial leadership, guidance, and operational oversight to ensure sound fiscal stewardship, compliance with university and foundation policies, and effective management of financial resources. Working closely with unit leadership, the Finance Manager develops financial strategies, provides analysis and recommendations, and supports decision-making through comprehensive budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning. The Finance Manager oversees financial operations across assigned units and serves as a trusted advisor on complex financial matters. This includes monitoring financial activity, entering, reviewing and approving transactions, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data, and implementing processes and internal controls that support efficient, compliant, and effective financial management. Key responsibilities include overseeing Foundation gift and discretionary fund administration; preparing, analyzing, and communicating budget, forecast, and financial performance reports; and partnering with leadership to align financial resources with organizational priorities and operational needs. The position also provides consultation and guidance to departmental staff regarding financial policies, procedures, and transaction processing requirements. The Finance Manager coordinates accounts receivable and customer invoicing functions, oversees cash handling and deposit activities as needed, and ensures compliance with applicable financial and accounting standards. The role is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong internal controls and serves as the Department Property Administrator for designated units, overseeing inventory management and asset accountability. In addition, the position manages financial structures within Workday, including serving as the Worktag Manager for assigned units. Responsibilities include approving, creating, modifying, and inactivating worktags, maintaining financial data integrity, and supporting accurate financial reporting. The Finance Manager also oversees complex financial transactions, including budget transfers, revenue transfers, payroll accounting adjustments, and other financial activities, while identifying opportunities for process improvements and operational efficiencies. Through collaboration with campus partners and departmental leadership, this role promotes sound financial management practices, supports strategic initiatives, and ensures the effective stewardship of university resources.

Requirements

• Experience processing financial transactions in an enterprise financial or ERP system with automated workflows.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with an ability to interpret, analyze, and summarize financial data
• Experience consulting with and guiding stakeholders through complex financial situations and decision-making processes.
• Knowledge of diverse organizational funding structures and the financial management implications associated with different funding sources
• Experience developing and presenting financial reports to executive leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of the Universities of Wisconsin system financial policies and procedures related to purchasing, billing, cash handling, and other financial operations.
• Experience interpreting, applying and communicating complex financial policies and procedures.
• Experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders and balancing competing priorities in a complex organizational environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a customer-focused approach to supporting campus units.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, complex budgets
• Experience in advising departments and leadership in a variety of financial matters.

Responsibilities

• Recommends, interprets, disseminates, and implements unit-focused fiscal policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with established rule, regulations and financial guidelines
• Identifies, verifies, and audits financial charges, credits, and authorizes payments
• Serves as a subject matter expert to unit leadership regarding financial operations, status and reporting, and recommends process improvements
• May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees
• Analyzes financial information and makes recommendations to unit leadership
• Plans, directs, and engages in financial and/or accounting operations for multiple areas; coordinates data management, budget preparation and management, and financial reporting efforts
• Participates in the development, maintenance, and monitoring of automated financial information systems
• Prepares and/or approves financial transactions and payments.

Benefits

• generous paid time off
• competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• tax-advantaged savings accounts
• participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree