Financial Specialist III

Current Employees:
If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

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 as well as the conditions and budget parameters of sponsored grants, in multiple formats 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 P card transactions—including reconciliation—is strongly valued. Candidates who demonstrate an understanding of diverse adult learning styles and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of learners are strongly preferred.

The Financial Specialist III must be efficient, self motivated, 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.

• This is a full-time position headquartered in Moore Hall on the UW-Madison campus
• This position is onsite with the possibility of working remotely 1-2 days per week after completing a one-year evaluation period
• A criminal background check may be required
• This 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.
• The administrative office for the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences is a dynamic location for daily visits and questions from department members. Expect to engage with multiple audiences every day.

• May train staff on financial processes and best practices
• Serve as a unit liaison to leadership providing financial advice, recommendations, and financial status updates
• Drafts communications and reports and maintains organization of varied records to provide administrative support within a specified work unit
• Answers complex fiscal questions and provides information based on set materials and standards to various audiences
• Reallocates expenses to appropriate funding strings
• Reviews and approves complex transactions and assigns funding codes in accordance with established rules, regulations, and policies
• Monitors financial transactions and fund balances and generates and reconciles complex reports and statements in accordance with established rules and regulations

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

The minimum starting salary for this Academic Staff position is $65,000. Actual…