Financial Specialist

Rutgers University • Piscataway, NJ

2d

About The Position

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Financial Specialist within the University Controller’s Office ( UCO ). Under the direction of the Associate Controller for Cost Analysis & Capital Equipment Management, this position is responsible for performing complex financial and data analyses that support fringe benefits, Facilities & Administrative (F&A) cost recovery, federal and state reporting, and capital equipment management. The specialist plays a critical role in institutional financial reporting and compliance, contributing to major initiatives such as F&A proposal development, quarterly fringe reimbursement submissions, federally mandated audit reporting, and strategic process improvements. Among the key duties of this position are the following: Performs extensive data extraction, reconciliation, and interpretation from Oracle Cloud, Tableau, OTBI , and other reporting tools to support cost analyses, fringe benefit reporting, and compliance requirements. Develops financial models, dashboards, and reports to support institutional decision-making, transparency, and strategic planning. Ensures accuracy and integrity of cost- and fringe-related data through internal controls, reconciliations, and variance analyses. Provides data and reports in support of surveys and external requirements such as HERD , SALCALC , and other compliance-driven requests. Collaborates with Data Analytics, Payroll, Financial Planning and Analytics, and Research Financial Services to optimize reporting processes and enhance data accessibility and interpretation. Serves as a resource to junior staff and peers by providing technical guidance, quality review, and training on complex cost and fringe analysis methods. Leads quarterly fringe benefit reporting and reimbursement submissions to the State of New Jersey, including detailed analysis and review of multiple schedules. Oversees the operationalization of fringe benefit recording and reporting, implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance. Contributes to the “future of fringe” initiative within the new HCM system by providing design input, collaborating with external consultants, and testing complex calculations for financial system integration. Communicates technical and analytical findings to stakeholders across finance, HR, and IT. Provides guidance to supporting staff involved in reconciliation and analysis of fringe-related reporting. Supports preparation of federally required F&A cost proposals (Base Year and Practice Year) in collaboration with external consultants (e.g., Maximus). Gathers, validates, and analyzes complex institutional data from multiple sources to meet proposal requirements. Applies specialized knowledge of higher education cost analysis and compliance standards to ensure proposals are accurate, complete, and defensible during federal negotiations. Conducts cost studies and functional use surveys related to allocation methodologies and indirect cost recovery. Provides technical direction to junior staff assisting with cost data collection and reconciliations. Coordinates data collection, reconciliations, and reporting for SEFA / SESA submissions required for the Single Audit. Prepares interim, preliminary, and final year-end versions of reports for review by senior leadership and external auditors. Collaborates with Research Financial Services and external auditors to ensure compliance, transparency, and accuracy of reporting as federal and state research expenditures grow. Oversees and provides guidance to staff assisting with reconciliations to ensure accuracy and consistency. Provides ad hoc analyses and reporting in support of the Associate Controller and senior leadership. Contributes to projects focused on financial transparency, process optimization, and compliance initiatives. Maintains consistent communication with the Associate Controller on priorities, progress, and deliverables. Serves as a subject matter resource for colleagues across related finance units.

Nice To Haves

• A related Master’s degree or CPA .
• Experience using Maximus Comprehensive Rate Information System ( CRIS ) and WebSpace.
• Experience with higher education accounting.
• Knowledge of research administration accounting.

Responsibilities

• Performs extensive data extraction, reconciliation, and interpretation from Oracle Cloud, Tableau, OTBI , and other reporting tools to support cost analyses, fringe benefit reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Develops financial models, dashboards, and reports to support institutional decision-making, transparency, and strategic planning.
• Ensures accuracy and integrity of cost- and fringe-related data through internal controls, reconciliations, and variance analyses.
• Provides data and reports in support of surveys and external requirements such as HERD , SALCALC , and other compliance-driven requests.
• Collaborates with Data Analytics, Payroll, Financial Planning and Analytics, and Research Financial Services to optimize reporting processes and enhance data accessibility and interpretation.
• Serves as a resource to junior staff and peers by providing technical guidance, quality review, and training on complex cost and fringe analysis methods.
• Leads quarterly fringe benefit reporting and reimbursement submissions to the State of New Jersey, including detailed analysis and review of multiple schedules.
• Oversees the operationalization of fringe benefit recording and reporting, implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Contributes to the “future of fringe” initiative within the new HCM system by providing design input, collaborating with external consultants, and testing complex calculations for financial system integration.
• Communicates technical and analytical findings to stakeholders across finance, HR, and IT.
• Provides guidance to supporting staff involved in reconciliation and analysis of fringe-related reporting.
• Supports preparation of federally required F&A cost proposals (Base Year and Practice Year) in collaboration with external consultants (e.g., Maximus).
• Gathers, validates, and analyzes complex institutional data from multiple sources to meet proposal requirements.
• Applies specialized knowledge of higher education cost analysis and compliance standards to ensure proposals are accurate, complete, and defensible during federal negotiations.
• Conducts cost studies and functional use surveys related to allocation methodologies and indirect cost recovery.
• Provides technical direction to junior staff assisting with cost data collection and reconciliations.
• Coordinates data collection, reconciliations, and reporting for SEFA / SESA submissions required for the Single Audit.
• Prepares interim, preliminary, and final year-end versions of reports for review by senior leadership and external auditors.
• Collaborates with Research Financial Services and external auditors to ensure compliance, transparency, and accuracy of reporting as federal and state research expenditures grow.
• Oversees and provides guidance to staff assisting with reconciliations to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Provides ad hoc analyses and reporting in support of the Associate Controller and senior leadership.
• Contributes to projects focused on financial transparency, process optimization, and compliance initiatives.
• Maintains consistent communication with the Associate Controller on priorities, progress, and deliverables.
• Serves as a subject matter resource for colleagues across related finance units.

What This Job Offers

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