Senior Business Services Specialist

About the role

The Senior Business Services Specialist oversees a variety of broad and complex financial, accounting and budgeting services related to trust, bond, general fund, and auxiliary accounts. They provide lead group direction and day-to-day financial oversight of budget, payroll, accounting, project accounting, procurement, and cost recovery. This position has a significant influential role regarding performance, decision-making, and key objectives of the department by providing timely and value-added financial information.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates, develops and prepares the annual operating budget
• Counsels and advises on budget and financial issues
• Conducts monthly analysis and mid-year budget forecast
• Ensures department decisions are consistent with budget and financial objectives
• Benchmark and provides input to the department’s key financial performance indicators (KPIs)
• Records and reports accounting and financial transactions, ensuring that all fiscal operations are in compliance with CSU and Campus requirements
• Provides financial research and financial analysis/modeling in a variety of matters including but not limited to the procurement of capital equipment and major operational expenditures
• Oversees the department’s overall cost recovery process including the development of annual overhead rates, cost recovery models and collection processes
• Maintains an effective construction project accounting system and payment process in accordance with appropriate financial policies and procedures
• Administers and processes escrow agreements on all Public Works contracts and approves the request to State Treasurer for contractor payment; audits, prepares financial reports for submission to the Chancellor’s Office
• Ensures department payments are in compliance with general account and reimbursement procedures of the University, and interfaces with project managers for clarification of discrepancies and verification/authorization of payments requested
• Trains and provides guidance to staff relating to financial and accounting policies and procedures
• Represents the department in all financial matters in the absence of the Director, Administrative Services
• Manages trust funds to ensure a positive cash position for each trust at all times

Requirements

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field with five years of relevant experience. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Accounting experience preferred in construction management, facilities management, and/or governmental accounting. Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience. Work experience in a State, College, or University setting OR within a large, complex business setting.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply extensive expertise to complex principles and practices of fiscal management
• Demonstrated expertise and advanced knowledge of the principles, problems, and methods of public and business administration and operational and fiscal management
• Ability to prepare reports and interpret policies and procedures covering a wide range of budget, contract and accounting procedures
• Ability to make timely decisions and perform a wide variety of administrative duties independently; ability to effectively plan, assign, coordinate and lead a variety of fiscal functions
• Ability to analyze computerized accounting records, and to research and correct computer data errors
• Ability to work independently; communicate and write effectively; make constructive recommendations; interpret and apply fiscal policies and procedures; and work cooperatively with contractors, vendors, architects, engineers, campus personnel, and representatives of public and private agencies
• High proficiency in PC compatible software programs such as Word, EXCEL and Access
• Develop, design databases, and create reports as related to defined duties

Skills

• Ability to develop, design databases, and create reports as related to defined duties

Benefits

Compensation Classification: Budget Analyst IV Anticipated Hiring Range: $9,524 /month - $9,714 /month (Step 19 – Step 20) CSU Salary Range: $6,668 /month - $9,714 /month (Step 1 – Step 20) San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary .