Do you like working with financial transactions and purchasing policies? Would you like to be a part of an amazing team that works together to process transactions such as payments to individuals (PIRs) and invoices (DPs), purchasing of supplies, etc., using tools such as Shop@UW+ for research, education and outreach projects for Wisconsin and the Great Lakes? Then, this may be the job for you! The UW Madison Aquatic Sciences Center (ASC) is recruiting for a Financial Specialist. This position works collaboratively with ASC staff and other UW departments to provide financial customer service for the ASC departmental funds along with approximately 75 active sponsored projects (federal and non-federal funds). The position performs financial services for the Center, and is responsible and accountable for proper documentation, controls and the accuracy of each transaction. This position requires knowledge of University, Center and internal agency, state and federal rules and regulations in charging expenses to the accounts, along with purchasing polices for supplies, travel, etc. This position provides advice and interprets rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines for faculty, staff, graduate assistants and scientists. On-going contacts must be maintained with a variety of UW personnel in the offices of Accounts Payable, Procurement, and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR). The position requires a significant amount of independence of action and decision-making. Responsibilities are performed under general direction of the Financial Manager in compliance with university and agency guidelines. All career levels are welcome. Click on the link to learn more about this position and apply by the deadline to be considered for this opportunity!

The University of Wisconsin Aquatic Sciences Center (ASC) is a statewide program of multidisciplinary research, education and outreach dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of Wisconsin's water resources - our lakes, rivers, and groundwater as well as coastal waters of Lakes Michigan and Superior. Together with other funding activities compatible with the ASC mission, the Center administers two major multidisciplinary, system-wide research programs - the Sea Grant Institute (SGI), focusing on the protection and sustainable use of the nation's Great Lakes, and the Water Resources Institute (WRI), focusing on solutions to Wisconsin's present and emerging water resources issues. Annually, the Center administers $5.3+ million in federal, state and private funding. Both SGI and WRI function as grant agencies and are the only source of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-Sea Grant and United States Geological Survey (USGS)-Water Resources funding in the state, awarding over $1.6 million in competitive funding annually to Wisconsin public and private universities and colleges. Visit for more information.

• 20% Monitors financial transactions and fund balances and generates and reconciles complex reports and statements in accordance with established rules and regulations
• 15% Reviews and approves complex transactions and assigns funding codes in accordance with established rules, regulations, and policies
• 15% Reallocates expenses to appropriate funding strings
• 5% Drafts communications and reports and maintains organization of varied records to provide administrative support within a specified work unit
• 10% Answers complex fiscal questions and provides information based on set materials and standards to various audiences
• 10% Reviews transaction processing internal controls and recommends policies and procedures
• 5% May train staff on financial processes and best practices
• 20% Miscellaneous related duties including regular meetings with finance team and professional development to advance business practices. Assist with budget review on grant proposals.

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:

Preferred
Associate's Degree
Associates Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field preferred but not required.

Required:
- A minimum of one year of prior financial experience, preferably in a higher education setting.
- Excellent interpersonal human relations, and oral/written communications skills.
- Excellent time management skills and ability to work quickly and accurately with strict deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and be self-motivated.
- Ability to make a wide variety of decisions, analyzing situations, and exercising good judgment.
- Ability to adapt to and apply new and changing methods, requirements, and priorities.
- Willingness and initiative to keep knowledge of accounting, finance, software and business technologies up-to-date.
- Strong working knowledge of office practices and procedures for record keeping, data collections/retrieval federal and non-federal grant and contract administration.

Preferred:
- Knowledge of university, state, federal and/or non-federal rules and regulations.
- Knowledge of UW and State of Wisconsin purchasing and travel processes, regulations and restrictions on various account types (such as gift, GPR, federal grants, interagency agreements, contracts, etc.)
- Demonstrated skills with commercial software and UW programs such as WISER, SHOP@UW+, MS Excel, MS Word, and e-Reimbursement.

Full Time: 100%

This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Ongoing/Renewable

Minimum $39,400 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications

This vacancy is being announced simultaneously with PVL #296352; please note that only two vacancies exist. Having two job postings allows the Aquatic Sciences Center to consider candidates with both Financial Specialist II and Financial Specialist III credentials for these (2) positions.

Successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Applicants must upload a cover letter, resume, and a document listing three names with contact information for references by the assured consideration date.

Tracy Hanke

608-262-7618
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See for further information.

Financial Specialist III(FN008)

A34-OVCR/AQUA SCI/SEA GRANT INST

Academic Staff-Renewable

296355-AS