Finance Specialist

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree

Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business-related field
Experience performing technical accounting tasks
Experience working in a higher education institution with both internal and external stakeholders
Experience using Excel
Experience with Workday or ServiceNow

Job Description:

Summary

The Finance Service Delivery at Iowa State University is currently looking for a Finance Specialist to join the team. This position applies generally accepted accounting principles and procedures in working with specialized accounting records and reports. Assembles, analyzes, and reconciles data and transactions. Processes financial transactions within university financial systems. Prepares statements and reports relating to an assigned area of responsibility. Monitors records of past and present operations.

Below are the job duties for this position. A candidate will:

• Understand and apply the Foundation Data Model, including the actuals ledger and commitments and obligations ledger.
• Understand budget structures and ISU resource types in order to properly initiate budget amendments versus transfer journals.
• Understand the difference between operational journals and accounting journals.
• Analyze and evaluate transactions in order to initiate the proper correcting accounting entries when necessary.
• Initiate costing allocations changes for future compensation at the direction of the local units in addition to costing allocations for new hires.
• Create payroll accounting adjustments for posted payroll at the direction of the local unit.
• Upload internal billing files into Workday and provide support with troubleshooting errors.
• Submit task to request petty cash and process journal to reconcile petty cash. Record cash deposits in Workday.
• Understand the difference between the various Workday finance reports and have ability to interpret and explain the usage of the reports to customers and others.
• Develop and maintain financial workbooks and schedule report distribution for faculty and PIs.
• Attend bimonthly training sessions held by Assistant Finance Manager – Finance, and apply information learned.

In regards to customer service and collaboration, a candidate will:

• Seek to develop understanding of the areas being served in order to provide exceptional finance support and customer service.
• Perform outreach with units served according to the Finance Service Delivery customer definitions.
• Answer accounting questions by researching and interpreting information.
• Escalate complex accounting situations to team supervisor and/or Assistant Finance Manager – Finance.
• Provide guidance and, when necessary, backup to other specialists to help support areas served.
• Navigate within ServiceNow and complete assigned incidents and service requests accurately, in a timely manner, and with the proper customer communication.
• Participate in monthly meetings with supervisor and team members.
• Participate in weekly one-on-one meetings with team supervisor, including employee rounding meetings.

Level Guidelines

• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision

• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode

• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope

• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained

• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate

• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity

• May provide guidance to students

Appointment Type:
Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS806

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email or call or Toll Free:
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State University is committed to fostering a workplace of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value. Our Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans

• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans

• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)

• Life insurance and long-term disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Various voluntary benefits and discounts

• Employee Assistance Program

• Wellbeing program

• This job is eligible for a flexible work schedule and flexible workplace option that may include flexible working hours and a hybrid working environment.

Original Posting Date:
December 5, 2023

Posting Close Date:
December 17, 2023

Job Requisition Number:
R13553

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