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Department: 110305 - CALS CORE Support
Location: Raleigh, NC
Essential Job Duties:
As the Financial Operations Specialist, you will serve as a professional accounting resource within the centralized Business Services unit, providing financial oversight and guidance across complex funding environments. You will apply accounting principles, regulatory requirements, and institutional policies to ensure the accurate classification, allowability, and appropriate treatment of financial activity across general ledger accounts and funding sources. A key focus of the role is providing accounting oversight for federally regulated CALS funding streams, including USDA NIFA, Hatch, Hatch Multistate, and Smith-Lever programs. You will interpret and apply federal, state, and institutional requirements to ensure expenditures meet allowability, allocability, and documentation standards while supporting compliance and mitigating institutional risk.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze CALS Ledger 4 project designations to identify underlying funding sources, including federal funds, state appropriations, and receipt-supported activities, and apply the appropriate accounting and regulatory requirements.
- Review and validate financial transactions across multiple funding sources and operational areas to ensure accurate classification, allowability, allocability, documentation, and compliance with institutional, state, and federal requirements.
- Provide accounting oversight and guidance for decentralized and centralized financial processes, including Procurement Card (PCard), Travel, Accounts Payable, and Accounts Receivable transactions.
- Review transactions submitted through departmental processes and centralized ServiceNow workflows and support accurate processing within PeopleSoft and coordination with the University Controller's Office.
- Interpret accounting principles, university policies, and funding requirements to resolve complex financial issues, identify potential compliance concerns, and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
- Assess financial activity for potential errors, disallowed costs, reporting issues, and other compliance risks, and support timely resolution to maintain accurate financial records and reduce institutional risk.
Other Work/Responsibilities:
In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.
Minimum Experience/Education:
High School Diploma or equivalency and one year of experience in accounting work; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in business administration or accounting, or an Associate's degree in business administration or accounting and one year of experience, or equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Knowledge of basic accounting principles.
- Experience with financial systems (PeopleSoft or similar).
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage high transaction volume and competing priorities.
- Ability to work independently with accuracy, attention to detail, timeliness, and professionalism.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in a research-intensive higher education or state institution.
- Knowledge of University financial policies and compliance requirements.
- Experience providing accounting guidance or training to non-financial personnel.
- Proficiency with reporting tools, Excel, and enterprise financial systems such as PeopleSoft Financial System.
- Experience managing multiple funding sources and sponsored programs.
Required license or certification:
N/A
Position Number: 00108609
AA/EEO Statement:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
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