Financial Specialist III

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Job Category:Academic Staff
Employment Type:Regular
Job Profile:Financial Specialist III
Job Summary:
Under the direction and supervision of the SMPH Associate Director of Finance, the Financial Specialist provides transaction processing support for SMPH departments. This position serves as the primary initiator for departmental activities related to financial reporting, transaction processing, and providing expert guidance on UW-Madison's financial policies. The incumbent will be part of a team of accountants supporting multiple departments within SMPH.
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.
Success in this role requires the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Accounting Expertise
Ability to effectively apply core accounting principles, including double-sided accounting entries and accrual-based accounting.
Analytical Thinking & Problem-solving
Ability to problem-solve or escalate to appropriate parties based on severity, complexity, or urgency of a situation.
Communication & Customer Support
Effective written and verbal communication skills to serve as a consultative point of contact and advise on financial policies and procedures.
Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintain them over time.
Financial Reporting & Process Management
Strong attention to detail to ensure accurate recording and reporting of financial transactions.
Adaptability to effectively manage individual workload through shifting priorities to meet deadlines.
Transaction Processing and Compliance
Ability to interpret and apply UW policies and procedures for accurate and compliant transaction processing.
Key Job Responsibilities:
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
Answers complex fiscal questions and provides information based on set materials and standards to various audiences
Reviews transaction processing internal controls and recommends policies and procedures
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
Department:
School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Administration – Fiscal Affairs
The Office of Fiscal Affairs provides fiscal and administrative support to more than 50 departments, centers, institutes and administrative units within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. The office also provides assistance for a variety of funding types, including school funding, grants, gifts and recharge funds.
Compensation:
The starting salary for the position is $55,500 annually but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage and the SMPH FAASLI Benefits Flyer 2026.
Required Qualifications:
At least two years of professional experience in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
Experience with double-sided accounting entries and accrual-based accounting
Experience utilizing Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel and/or other comparable financial management technologies, to maintain accurate and compliant financial records.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience processing financial transactions and/or reports in Workday
Experience working with WISER, UW purchasing and other UW financials systems
Education:
Associate's Degree Preferred
How to Apply:
For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser.
To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.
Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area. Failure to submit the required documents will result in no longer being considered for the position.
Cover letter required
Resume required
Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.
University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous 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 the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.
The department will not be able to support a request for a J-1 waiver. If you choose to pursue a waiver and apply for our position, neither the UW nor UWMF will reimburse you for your legal or waiver fees.
Contact Information:
Aisha Liebenow, liebenow@wisc.edu
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
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.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the