Fiscal Operations Manager

Overview

The Fiscal Operations Manager performs a wide variety of business processes such as budgeting, financial reporting, and accounting. This position reports directly to the Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology Department Head and works closely with the College’s Budget and Fiscal Director, HR Business Partner, and Fiscal Shared Services staff.

• Provide oversight of a large departmental budget consisting of 400 accounts from diverse funding sources.
• Organize and drive the departmental budget process steps and timelines, coordinating with the Budget Office and College schedule. Clearly communicate deliverables and dates.
• Analyze prior year data, current year spending, budget variances and inputs to create the next year’s line-item budget. Accurately upload the budget into budget tool/software by the deadlines.
• Act as a consultant for faculty to independently interpret and apply complex policies and procedures.
• Proactively work with faculty on ensuring proper accounting (especially personnel) during a grant period, and before closing out grants.
• Ensure all appropriate stakeholders are involved in the budgeting process to provide inputs and give final approval.
• Collaborate with Fiscal Shared Services to create detailed documentation of processes and policies; provide training to faculty as needed. May include creation and maintenance of a policy and procedures manual.
• Ensure proper internal controls are in place and followed. Perform work in accordance with and ensure audit compliance with federal, state, university system and granting agency laws, rules, guidelines, procedures and agreements.
• Maintain electronic filing systems for all department records and implement records retention policies.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or a relevant field and progressively responsible financial reporting, accounting, or budgeting experience OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Excel and accounting software to analyze and summarize financial data.
• Demonstrated customer (internal or external) support experience.

• Experience analyzing financial results to assist managers with business decisions.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with Microsoft Excel (e.g., parsing, pivot tables, macros, database).
• Experience using Banner system for accounting, student services and/or human resources functions.

• Embrace and adapt quickly to changes in priorities, processes and work environment with a positive attitude.
• Be highly organized with great attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in work product.
• Be forward-looking, able to anticipate problems and proactively address them.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with multiple offices, co-workers and managers in a team-oriented environment; represent the University in a positive, professional manner.
• Demonstrate excellent, professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Exercise initiative and independent judgment in solving complex problems and in interpreting and applying policies and procedures.
• Be able to design easy-to-use, impactful financial reports, analyses and presentations.
• Initiate and implement continuous improvement to processes and workflows within area of responsibility.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed in this description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.