Job Description
Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants must attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application in a PDF format. Please note that the applicant tracking system does not convert attachments in Word format successfully.
Annual hiring salary range: $47,000 to $59,000
Position Summary
The department of Mathematics at Rice University is seeking a Finance Specialist to perform moderately complex finance functions and activities related to budgeting and financial forecasting for the Department of Mathematics working closely with the Sr. Department Administrator. They will monitor, analyze, reconcile, adjust and create reports on all departmental funds including research and faculty funds, gift, endowment and operating funds. This person will need to be comfortable with fund accounting, billing, financial reporting and performing targeted follow-through on all submitted paperwork.
The ideal candidate must have strong MS Excel skills, rigorous attention to detail and the ability to effectively present findings. The person in this position is expected to work closely and collegially with fellow staff members and with faculty, students and visitors. This person should possess excellent critical thinking & problem-solving skills and be able to work independently and/or collaboratively while balancing multiple projects at a time.
This is a full-time position working in Herman Brown Hall on the Rice University campus.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree
- In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted
- Skills:
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
- User knowledge and demonstrated experience of financial systems including experience in analysis, reconciliation, budgeting and financial forecasting
- Understanding and ability to apply basic accounting skills and concepts
- Advanced communication skills, including ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal audiences and client groups
- Basic project management skills
Essential Functions
- Performs structured analysis; conducts data mining; identifies, clarifies, and investigates discrepancies and exceptions; proactively develops solutions and processes
- Manages the preparation, submission, processing, and reconciliation of non-payroll financial transactions
- Maintains, reconciles, reviews, combines, and validates financial data sets and accounts
- Contributes to development of budget, forecasting, and analyses
- Runs and analyzes financial reports; assists in preparation of management information reports
- Performs preliminary analyses, recognizes exceptions and recommends solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes
- Ensures work complies with complex internal policies and external regulations which may require interpretation
- Serves as a first line resource to supervisor, client groups and fellow team members on matters in work unit
- Performs other duties as assigned
Additional Functions
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Sign
- User knowledge and demonstrated experience of financial systems
- Understanding Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Advanced communication skills, including ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences and client groups
- Project management skills and ability to contribute to or lead part of a multi-functional team
Preferences
- Demonstrated ability and experience working successfully as part of a project team
Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
Faculty and staff are expected (but not required) to have completed a full vaccination series for COVID-19 (currently defined as full course COVID-19 Vaccine (typically two shots of a WHO-approved COVID-19 Vaccine or one J&J) and a COVID-19 booster. Rice does not require documentation for COVID 19 vaccination at this time for faculty and staff. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies
About Us
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.