Accounting Specialist

A bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and one year of appropriate experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The Accounting Specialist serves as the lead financial expert for IFAS Financial Services and is assigned a portfolio comprised of multiple faculty and staff in campus wide units. The Accounting Specialist is responsible for performing specialized professional accounting work that will provide support in monitoring, processing, and reviewing transactional activities related to fiscal process and compiling the data for internal purposes. The employee in this position must have superior customer service skills and is expected to provide accurate and compliant financial processing for internal and external partners, when representing the Institute of Agricultural Science and the University of Florida.

This position will actively engage with partners, assist with workflow, resolve concerns, serve as a leader within their assigned responsibilities, and positively guide peers towards successful and accurate data entry. This person must be able to work independently, while knowing when to elevate concerns to administration.

Team Leader – Serve as assigned Zone’s team leader by providing assistance and training for the Fiscal Assistants. Serve as a mentor to work through escalated concerns and assessing workflow or allowability issues. Makes determinations on funding sources. Serve as the primary contact for the assigned work Zone. This includes engaging partners within multiple Units/Departments. Professionally communicates with multiple faculty, staff, and partners, including verbally and written.

Will need to successfully navigate the ticketing system, email communications, and other communication systems as designated by administration. Provide and update financial reports and research and resolve any discrepancies. Relay workflow and system updates to encourage effective change with our partners and the fiscal staff. Driving to various IFAS research centers for training and meetings is required.

Travel – Review and approve complex travel submissions from department chairs and directors. Review requests for travel authorization and purchases as provided by the traveler and ensure that funding approval has been received for the trip. Identify any needed information or documentation for travel request and correspond directly with the traveler to obtain this information.

Advise traveler on any additional steps recommended or required, particularly for foreign travel. Assess allowability of travel on specified funding source, as well as availability of funds. Verify budget is available. Reconciliation of funds for closeout after travel. Troubleshoot funding and documentation complications.

Pcards & procurement – Serve as an expert that can work independently to identify and process proper purchase card, purchase order, and invoices. Serve as assigned area’s expert on Purchase Order processing including UF Procurement policies, quote allowance and bid processes. Reconcile Pcard charges including inspecting backup documentation as submitted by the cardholder and verifying that submitted documentation meets institutional policy.

Identify any need for additional documentation, clarification of purchases, appropriate approval(s) and correspond directly with the purchaser to obtain this information. Assess allowability of purchases on specified funding sources, as well as availability of funds. Evaluate allowability of charges within UF GO, Peoplesoft, and myMarketplace including interpreting UF policies and procedures. Serve has a leader in problem solving purchase complications.

Budget Liaison – Collaborate with assigned Units’ accountants and research administrators to establish and analyze budget. Address E2E and E2R needs. Assist in training and problem solving allowability standards for expenses. Correct any errors within assigned zone. Make recommendations for the development of new processes to minimize errors. Train faculty, staff, and fiscal assistants how to properly input information to ensure a sound budget.

Deposits –Manage financial deposits. This includes processing checks and ensuring proper protocols are followed. Review the allowability of funds being deposited within state, federal, or cash-based fund types. When needed, establish and maintain accounting records, research deposits, and provide documentation and reporting on the deposit process.

Other duties as assigned

$46,000 - 48,000 commensurate with education and experience 

A bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and one year of appropriate experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Must possess critical thinking skills.
• Skilled in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams programs.
• Skilled with virtual communication.
• Skilled in accurate data entry.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft functions, Enterprise Analytics, SAP Concur, OnBase, Adobe, and myUFMarket.
• Ability to learn UF policy and procedures.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Excellent customer service, time management, record-keeping and organizational abilities required.
• Easily adapts to new and updated software.
• Must be able to work well in a team environment.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

A Valid Florida driver’s license is required.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.