Business and Finance Specialist - College of Education

Administrative Operations As part of the College of Education Administrative Operations team and reporting to the Director of Budget & Resource Planning, the Business and Finance Specialist will exercise professional judgment and discretion in performing and coordinating various business functions for the College. These functions include managing college fiscal operations; accounting, budgeting, purchasing, and various reporting functions. The position ensures relevant campus and College policies are applied in all areas of finance.

• Maintain various financial reports and spreadsheets to effectively manage sponsored project funds.
• Analyze sponsored project budgets and review actual expenditures to ensure allowability, integrity, and accuracy of all financial transactions.
• Request and monitor anticipation accounts, subaward agreements, and no-cost and other contract extensions as necessary.
• Serve as liaison to campus SPA Post-award Office.

• Reconcile, prepare, and distribute monthly CFOP statements to department heads/chair, administrative unit executives and faculty for all university fund types; including state, ICR, self-supporting, grant, and gift funds.
• Responsible for completing monthly, quarterly, and year-end close accounting activities to ensure timely, complete, and accurate financial reporting to unit leadership, staff, and researchers.
• Resolve errors identified during reconciliations, including processing PZAREDS and journal vouchers.
• Review and approve the use of departmental funds for the following items: employee appointment requests, P-Card, i-Buy orders, and travel/expense reimbursements.
• Independently research and resolve problematic purchase, reimbursement, and other transactions. Work with University Payables, Purchasing, or other campus units as necessary to resolve such transactions.
• Monitor department internal financial awards, including Scholars Travel Fund, Research Board Funds, and Conference Travel Grants/Awards.

• Responsible for completing and submitting Banner CFOPAL maintenance requests, Amazon business accounts and e-gift cards.
• Advise faculty, staff, and students on college, departmental and campus business policies and procedures, including procedures for purchasing, submitting expense reimbursements, business travel, and other related activities.
• Serve as backup to other Business and Financial Specialist(s)/Coordinator(s).
• Participate in the campus research administration community through attendance at Sponsored Program and Research Compliance (SPaRC) meetings.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a field related to the position.
• Two (2) years of professional business, financial, and/or managerial work experience.

• Working knowledge of Banner, iBuy, TEM, P-Card, EDDIE and MS Office Suite.
• Experience in sponsored project administration at the University of Illinois.
• Illinois Certified Research Administrator designation.

• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact effectively with academic faculty, students, support staff, and visitors.
• Ability to thrive in a team environment and actively contribute to the team’s success.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines with accuracy.
• Ability to plan work with changing priorities and work under pressure.
• Ability to understand written material and extract important points.
• Ability to act with initiative, make independent decisions, and prioritize with minimal direct supervision.

This is a 100% full‑time Civil Service 5010 - Business/Administrative Associate position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after closing. The budgeted salary range for this position is $52,000–$62,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service…