Budget and Finance Specialist I

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University in Ames seeks a Budget and Finance Specialist I to support the financial operations and budget needs of assigned departments and college units. The role reports to the college’s Fiscal Officer and collaborates with department chairs and central finance offices to monitor budgets, prepare reports, and ensure policy compliance.

Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree and show strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience with budgeting, financial analysis, and monitoring expenditures.
• Experience preparing financial reports and reconciling accounts.
• Experience identifying and resolving financial discrepancies and budget variances.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and reconcile departmental and college budgets and expenditures.
• Analyze budget-to-actual performance and identify variances.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and long‑term financial planning.
• Review financial transactions for policy and funding compliance.
• Prepare financial reports and support audits and financial reviews.
• Track commitments, encumbrances, and planned expenditures.
• Provide budget support and guidance to faculty, staff, and unit leadership.
• Support special projects, course fees, and fee‑for‑service accounts.
• Coordinate with central finance and university offices.
• Provide backup support for the annual budget process.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Expenditure monitoring

Financial reporting

Variance analysis

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related

Job description

## Position Title:
Budget and Finance Specialist I

## Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

## Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree

Job Description:

The College of Design seeks a qualified Budget and Finance Specialist I to support the financial operations and budget needs of assigned departments and college units.

The Budget and Finance Specialist plays an important role within the Administrative Services Office (ASO) of the College of Design. This position provides an opportunity to apply financial, analytical, and organizational skills to support effective budget management and financial decision-making. The ASO values the unique contributions of each team member and encourages an atmosphere that supports collaboration, growth, and professional development.

This role reports to the college’s Fiscal Officer and collaborates closely with department chairs and central finance offices. The position supports budgeting, financial reporting, expenditure monitoring, and reconciliation activities. The ideal candidate is adaptable, detail-oriented, collaborative, and communicative, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Examples of Duties

• - Monitor and reconcile departmental and college budgets and expenditures.
• - Analyze budget-to-actual performance and identify variances.
• - Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and long‑term financial planning.
• - Review financial transactions for policy and funding compliance.
• - Prepare financial reports and support audits and financial reviews.
• - Track commitments, encumbrances, and planned expenditures.
• - Provide budget support and guidance to faculty, staff, and unit leadership.
• - Support special projects, course fees, and fee‑for‑service accounts.
• - Coordinate with central finance and university offices.
• - Provide backup support for the annual budget process.

Preferred Qualifications

• - Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• - Experience with budgeting, financial analysis, and monitoring expenditures.
• - Experience preparing financial reports and reconciling accounts.
• - Experience identifying and resolving financial discrepancies and budget variances.
• - Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• - Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• - Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• - Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• - Life insurance and long‑term disability
• - Flexible Spending Accounts
• - Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• - Employee Assistance Program
• - Well‑being program

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail] .

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.