Financial Specialist III

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 Pcard transactions-including reconciliation-is strongly valued.

The Financial Specialist III must be efficient, selfmotivated, 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.

• 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

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, Administration

The minimum starting salary for this Academic Staff position is $65,000. Actual salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf

• 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

• 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

Associate degree in accounting or related financial field is preferred

To apply for this position, please click on the "I am a current employee" button or "I am not a current employee" button under "Apply Now". You will be prompted to upload the following documents.

• Resume (required) - Detail your educational and professional background

• Cover letter (required) - Address each of the required and preferred qualifications as they relate to your work experience

It's important that your cover letter and resume reflect your experience for this position related to the Qualifications section. Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

IMPORTANT: There is only one attachment field; please upload both your resume and cover letter in that field. All requested application materials must be submitted for your application to be considered. Please submit only the materials specified; additional materials will not be reviewed.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.

References: Finalists will be asked to provide contact information (phone and email) for three references, one of which must be a current or former supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior notice.

Madeilene Hoffman | HR Generalist at madeilene.hoffman@wisc.edu

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. SeeRELAY_SERVICEfor further information

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The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying to.Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

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