Business and Finance Specialist or Senior Business and Finance Specialist - Technology Services
University of Illinois

Job Info

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Business & Finance Specialist or Senior Business & Finance Specialist

Technology Services - University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

The function of this position is to coordinate financial activities and to provide administrative support for the Technology Services Business Office. The main focus of this position is to support business operations, and provide outstanding customer service. Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on-site at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign campus needed per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy . Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Why Work at Technology Services?
Highlights of Employee Benefits

Job Summary

This position fulfills business operations needs of Technology Services, coordinating financial activities related to multiple functional areas, including utility services provided to the university through Technology Services.

Duties & Responsibilities

Analyze and audit billing statements (accounts payable), processing appropriate payment for major utility vendors.

• Review statements for variances between contract/service agreement and statements to ensure accuracy.
• Enter and track direct payments, transactions in ChromeRiver. Submit payment of utility bills for accurate and timely processing. Work with vendors and University Payables to find lost / misapplied payments.
• Maintain electronic records including description, physical count, and cost associated with each data circuit. Maintain vendor codes based on additions, changes, or removals. Modify associated monthly rates as required. Process rebills for installation charges, additional services, or local usage charges. Verify quote to amounts
  charged for nonrecurring and recurring monthly costs.

Maintain electronic records using Pinnacle Service Request Management System and related systems, ensuring appropriate charges (accounts receivable) to university customers for services provided.

• Senior level only: Implement complex feeder files to accomplish mass changes, converting data between formats and auditing results for accuracy.
• Process requested CFOP changes, mass change requests, NCOS changes, domain adds/renewals/changes, and other applicable transactions.
• Extract utility billing from Facilities & Services records system, charging to Banner accounts.
• Answer questions and address billing issues related to services applying departmental policies and procedures to specific problems on a case-by-case basis.
• Maintain current, accurate accounts receivable in collaboration with University Business and Finance and vendors.
• Track orders internally and externally by maintaining contact with external vendors.
• Review services, address change requests, and modify services as necessary to ensure accurate billing to departments using extensive knowledge of Pinnacle and related systems/processes. Review charges including: review of charges or credits, unexplained variances, taxes and surcharges. Communicate variances to
  appropriate Service Manager for review.
• Maintain appropriate user access to Pinnacle and communication lists to appropriate groups of users.
• Assist with mass-change processes, such as through feeder files.

Process purchase orders via Banner and i-Buy. Place orders to outside vendors through i-Buy, P-cards, and ChromeRiver. Process internal travel requests, including meeting with staff, arranging hotels, flights, reimbursements, etc.

Assist in processing fund transfers via journal vouchers or feeder files processed through the Banner system for various units.

Senior level only: Develop and maintain comprehensive business operations processes and procedures. Recommend business process improvements, including potential automation of manual processes and providing subject-matter expertise related to system changes. Train and mentor other staff in fulfilling business operations duties.

Senior level only: Process fund transfers via journal vouchers or feeder files processed through Banner. Monitor and review items purchased on Purchase of Goods for Resale account code and reclassify via journal voucher.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Business & Finance Specialist Minimum Qualifications

1. 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.
2. Demonstrated experience using Banner Financial Application, including purchasing, accounts payable.

Senior Business & Finance Specialist Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree with a major in Accountancy or a related field AND five (5) 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.
2. Demonstrated experience using Banner Financial Application, including purchasing, accounts payable, and accounts receivable, journal voucher and complex feeder file processing.
3. Demonstrated experience within the University of Illinois reviewing and reconciling complex accounts payable and/or accounts receivable reports.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Demonstrated experience using the Pinnacle Service Management System.
2. Experience using Banner Financial Application processing journal voucher and feeder files.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Working knowledge of University Business Office/Accounting procedures and rules. Ability to research account history for vendors using Banner, Pinnacle or other University systems. Ability to track and bill services related to major and minor projects. Ability to analyze and develop office guidelines, procedures and systems. Working knowledge of the business systems available on campus such as Banner, EDDIE, P-card, T-card and iBuy. Basic understanding of services offered by Technology Services and availability to the Urbana-Champaign community (computing and telecommunications). Basic understanding of communications industry standard terminology, codes and procedures. Excellent computer skills wit h working knowledge of a variety of applications including word processing, databases, spreadsheets, email, scheduling software, and web browsers. Excellent knowledge of spelling, grammar, and correct formats for business correspondence. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment. Ability to manage multiple tasks/projects.

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 the closing date. The budgeted salary range for the Business and Finance Specialist is $53,000.00 to $70,000.00, and the budgeted salary range for the Senior Business and Finance Specialist is $65,000.00 to $85,000.00. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on-site at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign campus needed per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy . Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx .

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on December 3, 2024. 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.

To complete the application process:
Step 1) Submit the Staff Vacancy Application using the "Apply for Position" button.
Step 2) Submit the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability forms.
Step 3) Upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), and names/contact information for three references.

Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Dallas Johnson at dallas1@illinois.edu. 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, 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. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. 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 accessibility@illinois.edu .

Requisition ID: 1027784
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

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