Financial Operations Specialist or Financial ...

Financial Operations Specialist or Financial Operations Associate Prairie Research Institute The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five large scientific surveys covering a wide range of expertise including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology. PRI''s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and service that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and governments of Illinois. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs . Why Work at the Prairie Research Institute? Highlights of Employee Benefits The Prairie Research Institute is seeking a Financial Operations Associate or Financial Operations Specialist (level is dependent on qualifications) to assist in monitoring financial activity for assigned non-grant funds, which may include State/GRF Funds, Institutional Funds, Service Funds, Gift Funds, and Plant Funds, to ensure compliance with University guidelines and regulations. Finance Operations Associate level will be responsible for assisting in monitoring financial activity for assigned non-grant funds, which may include State/GRF Funds, Institutional Funds, Service Funds, Gift Funds, and Plant Funds, to ensure compliance with University guidelines and regulations. Financial Management Specialist level will be responsible for monitoring financial activity for assigned non-grant funds to ensure compliance with University guidelines and regulations. Provide direct assistance to Survey Directors and PI''s to creating budgets and spend plans for assigned accounts, essentially serving as the budget liaison and financial expert for these funds and their respective Survey Director, with special emphasis on maintaining the data necessary for compliance with institutional policies and procedures, as well as state and/or federal laws. Financial Operations Associate Duties & Responsibilities Assist in building and monitoring Survey Institutional budgets (GRF and ICR). Assist in the reconciling of internal accounting system to UIUC statements, including all general and subsidiary ledgers. Assist in the reconciliation of accounts and resolve problems that involve numerous sub accounts and transactions. Investigate or audit transactions to verify accuracy or detect discrepancies; resolve discrepancies. Assist in the preparation of monthly financial statements within established deadlines. Prepare journal voucher transactions. Audit and approve travel/employee reimbursement vouchers and purchasing requests. Audit and approve changes in staff funding. Assist in service account management of funds, including costs analysis, review. Monitor revenues and expenditures for gift and agency funds; tracks receivables; and reconcile monthly accounts receivable. Track general revenue payments to the UIUC. Assure compliance with federal, state and university policies, procedures, and regulations. Assist in preparing for internal and external audits Prepare and file annual financial statements and fact sheets. Process labor redistributions. Deliver cash receipts to cashiering. Respond to telephone calls, emails, visitors, and requests for assistance. Verify sales tax and submit monthly sales tax reports. Serve as back-up to other fiscal services staff. Organize and maintain files. Keep abreast of developments in this discipline. Perform other duties as needed in order to further the mission and goals of PRI. Financial Operations Specialist Duties & Responsibilities Manage a portfolio of funds in excess of $5 million (annual expenditures) and support a survey/unit with total staff in excess of 100. Monitor the financial position of all accounts within assigned portfolio, including internal financial reporting requirements. Examine financial statements for accuracy and conformance to University guidelines. Prepare and modify financial statements to reflect the needs and forecasts of unit''s senior management team. Serve as author of internal Active Grants financial statements, which provide a more robust representation of actual financial position than Banner financial statements are able to provide. Assist unit director, unit senior management team, and PRI senior finance team in preparing fiscal year-end adjustments, reports, and allocations. Coordinate cost share allocations with PRI Pre/Post-Award and HR staff as new awards are received. Serve as fund manager for assigned portfolio of accounts, including review and approval of all personnel, travel, and purchase request transactions through PRI''s PRIDE and Purchase Request Management system to ensure allowability. Monitor and evaluate project and fund expenses for appropriateness. Prepare various transfers including earning transfers, transfers of revenue, expenditure transfers, and budget transfers. Develop and prepare budgets, including corresponding staffing plans, and other supporting documentation. Provide budget approval authority to appropriate parties regarding the allowability, budget availability, and scope/applicability for proposed expenditures and funding sources. Serve in a lead role in the execution, monitoring, and overall management of the unit''s institutional budget. Provide the unit senior management team with budget oversight, analysis, and ongoing guidance/recommendations. Lead and develop various Service Activity Rate calculations, managing/coordinating the rate development/certification/recertification process between the PI and UIUC Government Costing. Develop and manage service rates for various self-supporting activities. Determine the best source of funds for expenditures, within the constraints of fund accounting. Contact appropriate University and external personnel to resolve problems and issues and report all legal and ethical issues and provide updates to management. Make recommendations on internal policies/procedures and cost controls/internal controls. Identify problems with procurement, contracting, and payment activities, and work with appropriate PRI, University, and vendor staff members to identify/solve problems. Assist in preparing for internal and external audits. Prepare and file annual financial statements and fact sheets. Process labor redistributions. Deliver cash receipts to cashiering. Respond to telephone calls, emails, visitors, and requests for assistance. Verify sales tax and submit monthly sales tax reports. Serve as back-up to other fiscal services staff. Organize and maintain files. Assist with the creation, development, and management of various financial software resources/tools. Assist with the creation, development, and management of various financial software resources/tools. Serve as a training specialist to Financial Operations Associates and Financial Operations Specialists. Expand and maintain knowledge of evolving UIUC and PRI systems for tracking and approving expenditure transactions. Collaborate with the full Fiscal Services team to establish and implement policies and procedures pertinent to PRI. Assist PRI researchers and coworkers with new processes. Maintain own financial accounting skills through continued education and training. Perform other related duties as required. Financial Operations Associate Specialty Factors: (Specialty Factor) Bachelor''s degree with a major in Accountancy or a related field AND two (2) years of professional level accounting experience. -OR- Possession of current registration as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant, or a valid license to practice Public Accounting (LPA). -OR- Master''s degree in Accountancy or a related field. Demonstrated work experience within a research university or similar setting. Financial Operations Specialist Specialty Factors: (Specialty Factor) Bachelor''s degree with a major in Accountancy or a related field AND two (2) years of professional level accounting experience. -OR- Possession of current registration as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant, or a valid license to practice Public Accounting (LPA) and two years of professional accounting, finance or business experience. -OR- Master''s degree in Accountancy or a related field and two years of professional accounting, finance or business experience. Demonstrated financial operations/accounting experience within a research university setting. Experience working with State/GRF funds, Institutional funds, and Service funds. Financial Operations Associate Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles used for determining allowability, reasonableness, and allocation of costs applicable to grants, contracts, or other agreements. Organizational skills in working with diverse types of business information. Excellent skills in using software and database applications for accounting and general financial tracking. Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in commonly-employed software and databases. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Financial Management Specialist Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Advanced knowledge of accounting techniques, principles, and practices including generally accepted accounting principles used for determining allowability, reasonableness, and allocation of costs applicable to grants, contracts, or other agreements. Knowledge of procedures used in the preparation of proposals and project accounting including new account set-up and closing, daily accounting procedures, budgeting and re-budgeting processes. Knowledge of University and Institute policies and procedures, generally accepted accounting principles used for determining allowability, reasonableness, and allocation of costs applicable to grants, contracts, or other agreements. Effective communication, personal relations, organizational, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Ability to complete tasks accurately with an acute attention to detail. Ability to identify and implement required actions, provide technical advice and information to researchers and staff in area of expertise, working with minimal supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in commonly-employed software and databases. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Environmental Demands: The work of this position takes place in an office setting. The work is sedentary and involves extended periods of time working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions for data entry. Appointment Information This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5000 - Accounting Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 8/21/2022. Salary is commensurate with experience. Application Procedures & Deadline Information Applications must be received by August 17, 2022. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Megan Weeks, [Click Here to Email Your Resumé] , 217-244-2468. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137. The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify . Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing [Click Here to Email Your Resumé]. Requisition ID: 1009894 Job Category: Administrative Apply at: jobs.illinois.edu

Created: 2025-11-15