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California State University, Office of the Chancellor · 5 hours ago

ITS Finance Specialist

Long Beach, CA

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level

$70K/yr - $101K/yr

5+ years exp

California State University, Office of the Chancellor is seeking an ITS Finance Specialist to perform complex analytical, fiscal, and administrative functions. The role involves overseeing contract and procurement processes, developing fiscal controls, and conducting financial analysis to support strategic decision-making.

Higher Education

No H1B

Responsibilities

Oversee and coordinate the ITS contract and procurement portfolio, which includes more than 300 highly complex Chancellor’s Office and Systemwide contracts valued at $100M annually, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution per Chancellor’s Office and CSU policy

Prepare, review, and process purchase requisitions, contracts, MOU’s, and purchase orders in CSU Buy; manage workflow to verify timely routing and approval; enter related transactions (purchase orders, contracts, invoices, and payments) into the ITS master log and reconcile to maintain accuracy, compliance, and completeness within the financial ledger

Advise ITS leadership on complex procurement scenarios, including IT vendor negotiations, sole-source justifications, and contract compliance issues

Serve as the primary fiscal liaison with Procurement and Accounting to ensure contract terms, amendments, and renewals align with CSU policy and funding requirements, and act as the main point of contact for vendors to resolve billing, contract, and delivery issues, while monitoring performance for quality and compliance terms and conditions

Procure equipment and materials totaling $574K annually using the One Card, complete monthly reconciliations with accurate documentation and appropriate general ledger coding

Develop and maintain internal fiscal controls and documentation procedures to ensure the accuracy, authorization, and auditability of financial transactions

Analyze and reconcile account balances across multiple funds and programs, verify budget allocations and accounting adjustments, identify discrepancies, and recommend corrective actions. Monitor encumbrances, expense patterns, and financial performance to mitigate potential risks and forecast resource needs

Independently prepare and process more than 500 complex financial transactions, including budget and expenditure transfers, journal entries, AR invoices, inter-agency billing, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting principles and CSU fiscal standards

Serve as the lead resource for cost recovery and receivable account activities. Coordinate with cross departments, campuses, and external partners to manage activity and secure cost recoveries due to the Chancellor’s Offices

Design and maintain comprehensive financial reporting in Excel, Smartsheet, and Amazon Quick Suite to track contract utilization, spending, and key data insights that support decision-making

Regularly resolves complex and unique financial and contractual issues that require interpreting CSU policy, applying independent judgment, taking initiative, and developing alternative solutions escalating to management only when needed

Conduct complex financial analysis to support ITS strategic and operational planning, budget forecasting, trend analysis, cost modeling, and cost recovery models

Collaborate with ITS leadership to shape strategic fiscal strategies that strengthen accountability, guide long-term planning, and continuous improvement

Serve as the subject matter expert for ITS travel and hospitality claims, maintaining current knowledge of the CSU and Chancellor’s Office policy, interpreting and applying requirements, and helping refine ITS procedures and system improvements to strengthen compliance and efficiency

Review and approve 300+ employee travel and expense reports totaling $168K annually; identify and resolve discrepancies or missing documentation

Support 193 ITS employees with payments for conference registrations, subscriptions, and memberships, and handle third-party billing and hotel payment forms by coordinating with vendors and Accounts Payable. Coordinate food and beverage payments ensuring compliance with CSU hospitality policy and funding requirements

Serve as the lead advisor for the ITS Finance team, assessing inquiries from vendors, campuses, and Chancellor’s Office departments and providing problem-solving guidance, strategic recommendations, and policy-aligned solutions Serve as a subject matter expert and consultant to other divisions on financial and procurement best practices

Function as a lead resource for internal and external stakeholders, interpreting CSU fiscal policy, ITS procedures, procurement processes, and financial systems while providing authoritative guidance to ITS, campus partners, and external stakeholders

Evaluate and analyze financial and operational processes to identify inefficiencies, recommend fixes, and implement improvement to enhance accuracy, reduce risk, and improve overall operational effectiveness

Serve as the subject matter expert and primary contact for technical financial system support, leading troubleshooting, automation enhancements, and efficiency improvements

Lead the financial work on major ITS initiatives with systemwide impact, coordinating with key partners to ensure fiscal alignment, and drives cross-department projects that simplify and speed up procurement and contract workflows

Support the FinOps Community of Practice

Support division-wide initiatives requiring fiscal analysis or administrative coordination

Provides backup and support for other ITS Finance staff as needed to ensure continuity of operations

Qualification

Financial managementAccounting practicesContract administrationProcurement policyData analysisFinancial modelingBudget administrationAdvanced ExcelAnalytical skillsOrganizationMicrosoft OfficePeopleSoftTableauSmartsheetService NowAmazon QuickSuiteProblem-solvingCommunication skillsCollaborationAttention to detailConfidentiality

Required

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any field or equivalent combination of education and related experience is required

Requires five years of progressively responsible related work experience in the budget/financial field

Strong knowledge of accounting, budget administration, procurement, and contract management

Experience with IT vendors, software, hardware, or consultants is required

Ability to understand, interpret, and apply a wide variety of policies and procedures is required

Demonstrated high attention to detail and a strong commitment to maintaining a high degree of accuracy in all work

Advanced knowledge of Excel with the ability to create complex spreadsheets, which include the use of formula driven features and the ability to present data

Experience with data analysis, financial modeling, budget, and contract negotiation

Demonstrate problem-solving ability and analytical skills with the ability to research, evaluate, and analyze complex information/assignments

Proficiency in using research tools to gather information, make informed decisions, support initiatives, and find solutions

Demonstrate competency in retrieving, compiling, and analyzing data from various sources

Ability to formulate clear, concise, and objective recommendations

Able to develop and nurture relationships across teams and disciplines to promote collaboration and Efficiency

Excellent organization with demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and direct multiple projects and activities with competing deadlines and conflicting priorities

Ability to set timelines and priorities; take the initiative and exercise sound judgment within a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Ability to follow instructions; work independently with minimal supervision and a high degree of self-direction and initiative

Ability to present information concisely, effectively, and accurately both verbally and in writing

Ability to keep information, content, intent, and sources confidential

Proficiency knowledge in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)

Proficiency with other software including PeopleSoft, Jaggaer, Tableau, Smartsheet, Service Now, Amazon QuickSuite

Preferred

Experience working in a higher education environment is desirable

Comprehensive knowledge of Chancellor's Office financial systems, fiscal policy, and procedures

Benefits

Outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans

Fee waiver education program

Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

15 paid holidays a year

Company

California State University, Office of the Chancellor

Glassdoor4.2

The California State University is the largest system of four-year higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, 56,000 faculty and staff and 477,000 students.

Founded in 1947

Long Beach, CA, US

501-1000 employees