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Rutgers University · 1 day ago

FINANCIAL SPECIALIST

Piscataway, NJ

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$89K/yr - $132K/yr

5+ years exp

Rutgers University is a leading national research university seeking a Financial Specialist within the University Controller’s Office. The role involves performing complex financial and data analyses to support various financial reporting and compliance initiatives, contributing to strategic decision-making processes.

EducationHigher EducationUniversities

Responsibilities

Performs extensive data extraction, reconciliation, and interpretation from Oracle Cloud, Tableau, OTBI, and other reporting tools to support cost analyses, fringe benefit reporting, and compliance requirements

Develops financial models, dashboards, and reports to support institutional decision-making, transparency, and strategic planning

Ensures accuracy and integrity of cost- and fringe-related data through internal controls, reconciliations, and variance analyses

Provides data and reports in support of surveys and external requirements such as HERD, SALCALC, and other compliance-driven requests

Collaborates with Data Analytics, Payroll, Financial Planning and Analytics, and Research Financial Services to optimize reporting processes and enhance data accessibility and interpretation

Serves as a resource to junior staff and peers by providing technical guidance, quality review, and training on complex cost and fringe analysis methods

Leads quarterly fringe benefit reporting and reimbursement submissions to the State of New Jersey, including detailed analysis and review of multiple schedules

Oversees the operationalization of fringe benefit recording and reporting, implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance

Contributes to the “future of fringe” initiative within the new HCM system by providing design input, collaborating with external consultants, and testing complex calculations for financial system integration

Communicates technical and analytical findings to stakeholders across finance, HR, and IT

Provides guidance to supporting staff involved in reconciliation and analysis of fringe-related reporting

Supports preparation of federally required F&A cost proposals (Base Year and Practice Year) in collaboration with external consultants (e.g., Maximus)

Gathers, validates, and analyzes complex institutional data from multiple sources to meet proposal requirements

Applies specialized knowledge of higher education cost analysis and compliance standards to ensure proposals are accurate, complete, and defensible during federal negotiations

Conducts cost studies and functional use surveys related to allocation methodologies and indirect cost recovery

Provides technical direction to junior staff assisting with cost data collection and reconciliations

Coordinates data collection, reconciliations, and reporting for SEFA/SESA submissions required for the Single Audit

Prepares interim, preliminary, and final year-end versions of reports for review by senior leadership and external auditors

Collaborates with Research Financial Services and external auditors to ensure compliance, transparency, and accuracy of reporting as federal and state research expenditures grow

Oversees and provides guidance to staff assisting with reconciliations to ensure accuracy and consistency

Provides ad hoc analyses and reporting in support of the Associate Controller and senior leadership

Contributes to projects focused on financial transparency, process optimization, and compliance initiatives

Maintains consistent communication with the Associate Controller on priorities, progress, and deliverables

Serves as a subject matter resource for colleagues across related finance units

Qualification

Financial data analysisOracle CloudTableauMicrosoft ExcelFinancial modelingDatabase toolsHigher education accountingCommunication skillsOrganizational skillsCollaboration skills

Required

Bachelor's degree preferably in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or a directly related field and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial data analysis, modeling, and decision support, preferably within a higher education or similarly complex organizational environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of database tools such as Microsoft Access; experience with enterprise financial systems (e.g., Oracle Cloud, Tableau, OTBI)

Demonstrated ability to interpret and reconcile large and complex data sets, build financial models, and provide actionable insights for decision-making

Ability to understand and navigate complex organizations and financial structures

Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet established deadlines

Strong follow-through, assertiveness in resolving open issues, and demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across units

Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly to diverse audiences, including senior management, auditors, consultants, and staff at all levels

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail in both daily operations and high-stakes reporting environments