Financial Specialist III

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

10d • $62,000

About The Position

The Financial Specialist III position supports the Accounts Payable area within the Division of Business Services at UW-Madison. This position independently audits transactions requiring a high level of knowledge and expertise and works daily with a wide variety of funding sources. This position is responsible for entering the invoice payment data into ShopUW+, researching, resolving and responding to payment-related questions by providing advice, interpretation and information on rules and regulations to UW-Madison department staff, Accounting Services staff, Purchasing Services staff, and UWS Pre-Audit staff. This position reconciles transactions and recommends controls and process improvements and troubleshoots complex financial errors. The mission of the Division of Business Services is to support UW-Madison's institutional responsibilities of higher education and research. Business Services offers a broad range of services and transaction processing to campus, including accounting, internal auditing, risk management, purchasing, materials distribution and surplus property management, and tuition and student loan services. Located in the Division of Business Services, the Disbursements team collects information and maintains records for over 70,000 suppliers utilized by all the Universities of Wisconsin. We communicate with suppliers around the globe and assist employees from all the UW campuses.

Requirements

• A minimum of 2 years of accounting, finance, or business administration experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate in a clear, business-like, and courteous manner with a diverse internal and external customer base.
• Excellent organizational skills and techniques. Ability to work independently, prioritize work duties, and demonstrate effective time management skills to meet Accounts Payable, Business Services Division, University, state, and/or federal deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to multi-task and transition quickly between priorities to address specific situations.
• Ability to participate as an effective team member by contributing to the efficient operation of the work unit and providing constructive feedback for the purpose of continuous improvement in a manner that is supportive of Accounts Payable and the Business Services Division.
• Strong human relations and interpersonal skills to maintain effective, professional, and cooperative working relationships with managers, supervisors, coworkers, and all internal and external customers.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Proficiency in Excel and ability to create complex spreadsheets and reports.
• Knowledge of accounts payable procedures, and basic accounting principles.
• Knowledge of Peoplesoft or other accounting software.
• Knowledge of Image Now or other image retention database software.
• Knowledge of banking reconciliation software
• Knowledge of state accounts payable statues
• Knowledge of state funding rules and chart of account

Responsibilities

• Drafts communications and reports and maintains organization of varied records to provide administrative support within a specified work unit
• Reallocates expenses to appropriate funding strings
• May train staff on financial processes and best practices
• Reviews and approves complex transactions and assigns funding codes in accordance with established rules, regulations, and policies
• Serve as a unit liaison to leadership providing financial advice, recommendations, and financial status updates
• Monitors financial transactions and fund balances and generates and reconciles complex reports and statements in accordance with established rules and regulations
• Reviews transaction processing internal controls and recommends policies and procedures
• Answers complex fiscal questions and provides information based on set materials and standards to various audiences

Benefits

• This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.
• For a summary of benefits, please see https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pd f.

What This Job Offers

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