Financial Specialist III

Job Category

Academic Staff

Regular

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.

• 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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

• 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

Successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their…