Budget & Financial Specialist, Budget and Financial Planning

Wake Forest University; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake Forest University seeks a Budget & Financial Specialist to provide high-level administrative and financial support to campus clients. The role requires discretion due to access to confidential information and involves budgeting, reporting, and forecasting duties within a fixed-term, one-year appointment.

The position coordinates payables, analyzes funding for salaries, and ensures adherence to university guidelines while delivering ad hoc analyses and financial deliverables for multiple

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or related discipline plus 3–5 years finance-related experience in a university setting.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Internet. Knowledge in Workday hiring and financial transactions, a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedures and to maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Manages payables for campus clients, including monthly P-Card reconciliations and procurement.
• Coordinates financial and budget procedures for campus clients; analyzes funding for salaries and ensures budgets comply with guidelines.
• Prepares rolling five-year forecast for clients for planning and capital spending.
• Prepares account reconciliations and journal entries; provides ad hoc analyses as needed.
• Monitors transactions, approves requisitions and procurement activity; exercises independent judgment.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Discretion

Education

Associate degree in Finance/Accounting

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Workday

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

External Applicants

Please ensure all required documents are ready to upload before beginning your application, including your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials specified in the job description.

Cover Letter and Supporting Documents

1. Navigate to the "My Experience" application page.
2. Locate the "Resume/CV" document upload section at the bottom of the page.
3. Use the "Select Files" button to upload your cover letter, resume, and any other required supporting documents. You can select multiple files.

Important Note: The "My Experience" page is the only opportunity to attach your cover letter, resume, and supporting documents. You will not be able to modify your application or add attachments after submission.

Current Employees

Apply from your existing Workday account in the Jobs Hub. Do not apply from this website.

A cover letter is required for all positions; optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality roles unless otherwise specified

Job Description Summary

The Budget & Financial Specialist provides effective and efficient administrative and financial management services to campus clients and requires an exceptionally high level of discretion due to exposure and access to highly confidential and sensitive information. Campus departments may engage the services of this position to outsource all or a portion of their respective budget and financial management needs (i.e., facilitation of purchasing, payables, receivables, reporting, budgeting, etc.) * This is a fixed-term, one year appointment.

Job Description

Prepares and evaluates monthly reports customized for unit needs to report financial condition, strengths, and weaknesses of various units.

• Manages payables for campus clients, including monthly P-Card reconciliations and procurement.
• Coordinates financial and budget procedures for campus clients; analyzes funding for salaries and ensures annual budgets comply with established guidelines.
• Creates and communicates policies and procedures, as required.
• Prepares ongoing budget to actual related financial reports; monitors actuals versus budget; advises clients regarding variances and salary/operating issues impacting the budget.
• Prepares rolling five-year forecast for clients for use in planning and capital spending.
• Manages assigned unit salaries and works with Human Resources and Payroll to ensure that salaries and distributions are correct.
• Provides ad hoc financial analyses as requested; performs information research and analysis for special projects and new programs, as needed.
• Processes reimbursement requests, invoices, billings, and deposits.
• Monitors transactions, reviews and approves requisitions, reimbursements and procurement activity within assigned units. Uses independent judgment in the evaluation and approval of transactions.
• Prepares account reconciliations and journal entries as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Associate’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or related discipline plus 3-5 years finance-related experience in a university setting. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be acceptable.
• Solves problems that are generally not recurring in nature and that require innovative thinking/reasoning and in-depth analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Internet. Knowledge in Workday hiring and financial transactions, a plus.
• Excellent work ethic along with the ability to work long hours, when needed.
• Ability to maintain the security and confidentiality of any proprietary or sensitive data.
• Ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedural questions.
• Knowledge of budget development and fiscal management.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, detail orientation, and a proven ability to follow projects and issues through to completion.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills; must have the interpersonal finesses to interact effectively within the university and with external vendors.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline with five or more years of related and progressively more responsible financial work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of U.S. accounting principles (GAAP) and practices. Knowledge of Workday.
• Familiarity with higher education administration current best practices.

Accountabilities

Works independently. Reports to the Director, Budget and Campus Financial Services.

Physical Requirements

Work primarily involves sitting/standing, communicating with others to exchange information, operating a computer, and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] or [phone].