School Fiscal Officer Job Listing at UT Dallas in Richardson, TX (Job ID 29908)

Description

The School Fiscal Officer (SFO) serves as a strategic leader for all financial and accounting operations in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM). The SFO reports to the dean and works closely with associate deans, department heads, and program and center directors. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with faculty and staff in a range of other offices, particularly representatives from the Provost's Office, Office of Budget and Finance, Office of Research and Innovation, Human Resources, Facilities and Economic Development, and the Office of Information Technology. They will help staff carry out the responsibilities for budget, personnel, payroll, and financial management.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree, preferably in accounting, information systems or related field; five plus years accounting/financial experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

We are seeking candidates who can effectively manage and work collaboratively in teams and with units comprised of individuals with a range of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives. The successful candidate will possess excellent organization, communication, leadership, and management skills and will demonstrate a strong commitment to strategic planning, forecasting, and data-driven decision making.

• Master's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field.
• Five years of progressive experience in an accounting or financial position in a university setting.
• Experience with sponsored research administration working with grant awards in a higher education environment.
• Proficiency working with Excel, PeopleSoft (or similar software), complex financial systems, financial reporting, financial modeling/forecasting, accounting, budget development, and financial policy development.
• Supervisory experience.

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work to maximize resources available to NSM through sound financial management practices from the dean's level through each individual department, center, and program. Develop strategies to maximize revenues, minimize administrative costs, and capture University resources. Provide advice to the dean to accomplish these goals.
• Lead short- and long-term financial planning in the context of university plans as well as local needs. Advise the dean on fiscal policy and budget provisions. Analyze and evaluate financial implications for new programs, business plans, and initiatives.
• Lead the preparation of the annual budget advising the dean, department heads, program and center directors, and associate deans on effective strategies.
• Implement annual budgets while providing financial management oversight of budgeted funds plus restricted endowments, gifts, and sponsored projects.
• Coordinate budgets for startup funds, research accounts, renovation projects, and programmatic commitments to faculty. Facilitate funding processes for faculty, staff, and student salaries.
• Facilitate interface between the school and its units with the University's business functions. These include the Office of Budget and Finance, Office of Research and Innovation, Human Resources, Facilities and Economic Development, Internal Audit, Office of Information Technology and Procurement.
• Provide guidance and some training in financial management practices to department leaders and managers. Facilitate information flow and networking among administrators.
• Understand and ensure compliance with university, federal, and sponsoring agency regulations, policies, and procedures related to financial operations. Develop financial policies and procedures in compliance with university and state regulations.
• Ensure sufficient funds are available to cover authorized expenditures. Manage cash accounts, ensuring adequate funds are available to cover anticipated expenditures. Proactively review and monitor cost center activity for deficits.
• Implement effective systems for internal controls and efficient business operations.
• Supervise the school's finance team.
• Provide regular financial reports and ad hoc business reports.
• Review various business transactions for approval, including account reconciliations, budget journals/transfers, interdepartmental transfers, purchasing card transactions/reconciliations, payroll, procurement, scholarships/fellowships, work orders, and others.
• Manage and authorize PeopleSoft and cost center access for appropriate staff. Request new cost centers for operating accounts.
• Participate in University Council and other meetings to express ideas for strategic leadership.
• Maintain and retain original financial documents and supporting records in accordance with university retention schedules.
• Participate with the dean in the management of the NSM as daily issues arise and policies are devised.
• Perform other duties and assist with special projects as requested.

Additional Information

School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) NSM has been a crucial anchor of UT Dallas, even before its beginnings in 1969. Its six departments and two research centers continue to play a vital role in the University's transformation to one of the top research institutions in the United States. Asking fundamental questions about the universe and developing responsive tools for global dilemmas creates a powerful engine for our innovations and discoveries. The School boasts approximately 150 outstanding faculty members performing in areas ranging in size and diversity from the smallest nano-machines to the great cosmos. It's over 30 programs – several of which are highly ranked by US News and World Report – provide students with hands-on laboratory and project experience in frontier areas of fundamental and applied sciences that promises rich academic experiences and leads to exciting professional opportunities.

The University and Community UT Dallas is a top public research university located in one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan regions. Our seven schools offer more than 140 undergraduate and graduate programs, plus professional certificates and fast-track programs. Our student body is 30,000 strong, reflecting students from over 100 countries and a multiplicity of identities and experiences. Roughly two-thirds of our undergraduate students receive some form of need- or merit-based financial aid; and 61% of graduating seniors have no student debt compared to 49% in Texas and 43% in the nation.

UT Dallas is committed to graduating well-rounded members of the global community whose education has prepared them for rewarding lives and productive careers in a constantly changing world. A diversity of people, ideas, and perspectives is crucial to our vision and mission. UT Dallas is a place where members of the community from all backgrounds are welcomed, treated fairly, and encouraged in their pursuit of excellence.

Rich with visual and performing arts venues, museum districts, professional and semi-professional athletics teams, botanical gardens, accessible trails and so much more, the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex has something for everyone to explore. UT Dallas partners with regional higher education institutions and school districts and with the Richardson Innovation Quarter (Richardson IQ), a major hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and educational activities.

What We Can Offer UT Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer that fosters an employee-friendly work environment and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive salary
• Tuition benefits
• Internal training and development opportunities
• Medical insurance – 100% paid employee-only coverage for full-time employees
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Long-term and short-term disability coverage
• Multiple retirement plan options
• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays

All UT Dallas employees also have access to a variety of professional development resources, including memberships to Academic Impressions, LinkedIn Learning, and participation in the UT Dallas Bright Leaders Program.

For full details, visit: https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/

Important Message

1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public.

2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.

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