Financial Services Analyst - Small Business Development Center

$21.80/hr - $24.50/hr

Initial applicant review will begin on or around May 13th, 2022. Posting will remain open until filled.

This contract position is eligible for full UC benefits.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable, and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

To set the course of UC Merced's evolution, in 2021 UC Merced will enact its first-ever 10-year strategic plan. This plan will guide how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway toward earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted within each campus unit. UC Merced is expected to engage in sophisticated thinking, planning, and implementation of actions that effectively diversify the professoriate and staff, improve campus climate for all campus constituency groups, and strengthen our equity, diversity, and inclusion infrastructure and capacity.

Under the direct supervision of the Central CA SBDC Assistant Regional Director, the Financial Services Analyst provides accounting and analytical support to the Central CA SBDC Lead Center. This position is responsible for processing and servicing a variety of financial transactions and services, including procurement, travel/entertainment, accounting, data collection, processing, limited analysis, and reporting.

The incumbent is responsible for purchasing, general financial processing, support activities, and monitoring and reconciling account ledgers for the SBDC Lead Center and the UC Merced SBDC Service Center. The Financial Services Analyst will apply knowledge of University policies and procedures to ensure compliance and take appropriate action based on established procedures. Interfacing with various departments, vendors, and campus constituents is an essential component of this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Keep up-to-date on budget allocation and restrictions on expenditures by fund source.

• Monitor expenses within the context of a $1 million departmental budget across multiple fund sources.

• Work with the SBDC Regional Director (RD) and Assistant Regional Director (ARD) to develop annual budgets and long-range budget forecasts. Produce bi-monthly spend-down reports for all open grants and provide them to RD and ARD.

• Monitor all departmental revenue and ensure proper posting to appropriate accounts.

• Provide monthly budget reports for all program areas. Review ledgers on a regular basis to ensure posting of expenditures and revenue to correct accounts.

• Utilize project and source codes based on department budget to allow proper tracking and categorization of expenditures.

• Identify and request necessary corrections to financial transactions within departmental accounts/funds as needed.

• Assist ARD to prepare year-end fiscal closing activities for the department and various grants/funds.

• Work with Regional Director and ARD to develop short and long-range budget models and forecasts.

• Applies financial services concepts (i.e., accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, collections, and billing), to resolve issues, and prepare business process procedures and policy recommendations. Monitors all Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Entertainment, and Travel Accounting for grant compliance, reporting any issues to ARD.

• Responsible for preparing and submitting purchasing requisitions, complex travel and entertainment reimbursements, and low-value supplies orders for the SBDC department.

• Ensure departmental compliance with applicable UC policies and procedures, Federal and State grant fiscal requirements.

• Coordinate signature, routing, copies, and filing of all department expenditures.

• Record and track all Director approved orders from initial order through payment of the invoice.

• Follow up on any problems related to orders, invoicing, and/or reimbursements.

• Timely submission of all reimbursements and invoices.

• Acquire necessary backup documentation from various vendors as needed.

• Provide vendors with needed information regarding payments as required.

• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in a related area and the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the position's key responsibilities, or four years of directly related, progressively responsible experience/training. (Required)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Understanding of administrative procedures and processes including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.

• Requires good verbal and written communication skills, active listening, critical thinking, multi-task and time management skills. (Preferred)

• Working knowledge of financial processes, policies, and procedures. (Preferred)

• Basic knowledge of financial data management and reporting systems. (Preferred)

• Proficiency in the use of spreadsheet and database software.

• Strong interpersonal skills, analytical skills, service orientation, active listening, critical thinking, attention to detail, ability to multitask in a high-volume environment, organizational skills, effective verbal and written communication skills, sound judgment and decision making.

• Ability to function effectively as a member of a team.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.

• Basic understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.

Background check and fingerprinting will be required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/