Financial Specialist III

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Plant & Agroecosystem Sciences is seeking a highly skilled Financial Specialist III to provide advanced financial support for faculty, scientists, and graduate students engaged in research, teaching, and outreach activities. This position plays a critical role in managing complex financial transactions and ensuring compliance with university, state, and federal requirements. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong financial judgment, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex information with clarity and patience. This role requires the ability to translate UW–Madison financial policies and procedures into accessible guidance using written instructions, annotated screenshots, and verbal explanations to support understanding and promote successful future transactions. Preferred qualifications include experience with UW–Madison’s financial systems and workflows, including accrual accounting in Workday; accessing and interpreting grants, agreements, and related documentation in RAMP; and navigating Assetworks for internal services and billing. Familiarity with creating and processing invoices, procurements, purchase orders, expense reports, cost transfers, and P‑card transactions—including reconciliation—is strongly valued. The Financial Specialist III must be efficient, self‑motivated, and capable of making proactive, informed decisions. The position requires the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with departmental colleagues, divisional partners, and campus administrative units. Additional information: This is a full time position headquartered in Moore Hall on the UW-Madison campus This position is primarily onsite, however there is the possibility of working remotely 1-2 days per week after completing a one-year evaluation period A criminal background check may be required Position requires the ability to stand or sit for extended periods while typing and working at a computer; regularly communicate with customers in person, by phone, or via Teams for training and assistance; occasionally transport documents and supplies to various campus locations.

Requirements

Experience processing financial transactions, including procurement, accounts receivable, accounts payable, expense transfers, or preparing justifications
Demonstrated history of providing accurate and timely customer service, shown through regular verbal, written, and electronic communication with clients, visitors, or stakeholders.
Experience working independently to complete assigned financial tasks and collaborating with a team to resolve issues or support shared workflows
Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple concurrent tasks or projects

Nice To Haves

Experience with UW–Madison’s financial systems and workflows, including accrual accounting in Workday
Accessing and interpreting grants, agreements, and related documentation in RAMP
Navigating Assetworks for internal services and billing
Familiarity with creating and processing invoices, procurements, purchase orders, expense reports, cost transfers, and P‑card transactions—including reconciliation
Experience interpreting sponsored project terms and conditions, including applying allowability rules, budget constraints, and compliance requirements to financial transactions
Proficiency with accrual accounting and budget analysis, demonstrated through preparing, reviewing, or reconciling financial reports for grants, projects, or departmental funds
Hands on experience with UW System financial systems and workflows, such as Workday, ShopUW+, Assetworks, Smartsheets, or Qualtrics, including creating or processing procurements, invoices, internal billing, or expense transfers

Responsibilities

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