Financial Specialist for the Inst. for Regional and International Studies (IRIS)

This position is part of a team of business operations and financial specialists in the Institute for Regional & International Studies (IRIS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining financial data and all related record-keeping activities for the area studies centers assigned to this position. This position independently performs exact accounting and analytical financial services for contributing units. This position is also responsible for ensuring that travel-related purchases (airfare and lodging) made on behalf of IRIS staff and guest speakers are compliant with UW-Madison travel policies. The person must work as a contributing team member by demonstrating a commitment to organizational success, working autonomously but in a collaborative environment. This position requires comprehensive financial knowledge, advanced computer skills, excellent written and oral skills, and excellent communication and organizational skills. The person in this position must have the ability to interpret complex rules, guidelines and regulations at the University, College, and departmental levels and must possess familiarity with financial policies and procedures associated with external granting agencies.
Responsibilities:
- Prepare and process necessary financial paperwork for program portfolio.
- Record and reconcile actual program expenses for program portfolio.
- Maintain comprehensive financial reports so that program directors can easily monitor financial status of each grant and fund in program portfolio.
- Serve as p-card site manager.
- Serve as E-Reimbursement Approver and back-up E-Reimbursement Auditor
- Prepare payment transactions as necessary using Shop@UW and FPM. Communicate effectively with suppliers and program staff, in order to obtain all supporting documentation needed for processing transactions.
- Communicate program financial matters with program directors and principal investigators.
- Disseminate pertinent travel regulations to faculty, staff, and guest speakers about preferred vendors, airfare, hotels, etc.
- Other duties and special projects as assigned by the supervisor or designee

• 25% Monitors financial transactions and fund balances and generates and reconciles complex reports and statements in accordance with established rules and regulations
• 20% Reviews and approves complex transactions and assigns funding codes in accordance with established rules, regulations, and policies
• 5% Reallocates expenses to appropriate funding strings
• 10% Drafts communications and reports and maintains organization of varied records to provide administrative support within a specified work unit
• 20% Answers complex fiscal questions and provides information based on set materials and standards to various audiences
• 5% Reviews transaction processing internal controls and recommends policies and procedures
• 5% Serve as a unit liaison to leadership providing financial advice, recommendations, and financial status updates
• 5% Serve as business technology resource lead for IRIS: Act as primary liaison with DoIT for all IRIS staff needs for computing and tech support, including maintaining inventory of IRIS-owned computers.
• 5% Handle transactions for equipment purchases and equipment maintenance needs related to IRIS; and
  Other duties as assigned by supervisor

• Ensure that AV and digital streaming equipment are functioning, and provide training to IRIS units regarding equipment use.

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
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.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Preferred
Bachelor's degree preferred in relevant field.

Required:
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to manage and coordinate complete data & financial records with accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to interpret and apply complex university, state, federal, and granting agency rules, regulations, and guidelines.
- Effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to positively interact with a variety of people and or work independently to meet goals and work assignments of the unit. Effective skills to be able to prioritize work assignments under stressful and sometimes conflicting constraints.
- Understanding of accounting principles sufficient to manage program budgets and forecast future expenditures. Knowledge of software and desktop applications and their use for effective business management.
- Well organized and extremely detailed, able to multi-task and manage diverse duties, and able to follow written and oral instructions with limited supervision.
- Ability to independently make decisions and resolve problems. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment. Ability to represent the office in a highly professional manner. Positive attitude and strong interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred:
- Experience interpreting multiple sets of reimbursement rules and regulations and auditing invoices and reimbursement requests.

Full Time: 100%
It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Ongoing/Renewable

Minimum $48,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications

Diversity and inclusion are primary values for the Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS) and are integral to achieving our strategic goals. We seek candidates with an awareness of and commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion across all spectrums.

Please submit a cover letter, CV/resume, and a list of three professional references through the online jobs portal by the assured consideration date.

Kristine Schutte
[email protected]
608-262-5804
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Financial Specialist III(FN008)

A10-INTL DIVISION/IRIS INST REG INTL ST

Academic Staff-Renewable

294598-AS