Assistant Financial Officer / Administrative Associate I

Working/Functional Title

Assistant Financial Officer

Position Summary

The Assistant Financial Officer in the College of Natural Science, reports directly to the MAU Financial Officer. This role is responsible for assisting with the strategic direction and financial operations of the college in collaboration with the Financial Officer and Dean.

Assigned Scope

Supports the College of Natural Science Dean's Office.

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with the Financial Officer and Dean, to develop long-term financial plans to advance the College's operational and research priorities.
• Assists with the development, execution, and management of comprehensive budget strategies for the college, exercising sound judgment and critical analysis in financial planning, resource allocation, and expenditure authorization and controls. 
  • Works with the Financial Officer and Dean to develop, organize, and facilitate budgetary goals and strategic initiatives for the College and University. This may include serving as a Raise Administrator for the College who is responsible for timely calculation and communication of raise control totals to Unit Leadership and facilitating submission of final raise determinations to University HR.
  • Assists with the development of strategic financial recommendations, reports, KPIs, and analytical insights for executive leadership and diverse stakeholders.
  • Works with NatSci Unit Leadership to ensure all required financial budgeting and reporting is completed at unit level and rolled up to MAU level for submission to University in a timely manner.
  • Assists with maintaining a database of MAU level commitments and is responsible for distributing those commitments to Units and other MAUs as appropriate throughout the year.
  • Tracks commitment and distribution of special allocations from Central Administration to ensure those resources are being used for their intended purposes.
  • Works with University Administration to ensure the smooth roll out of financial operating and budgeting software changes to Unit users.
• Provides support for accounting and operational activities including preparing financial statements and reports. 
  • Assists with monitoring, reconciling, and preparing monthly financial reports for General, Designated, Plant, and Expendable Restricted Fund accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
  • Represents the college in financial interactions—including vendor negotiations, contract administration, and cross-unit coordination.
• Ensures Financial Compliance, Controls, and Adherence to Standards 
  • Maintains fiduciary oversight of financial activities, ensuring effective internal controls and full compliance with audit requirements.

• • Develops, implements, and monitors internal accounting structures, policies, procedures, and financial controls to ensure compliance and mitigate institutional risk.
  • Ensures adherence to all applicable MSU and NatSci policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements aligned with role responsibilities.
• Serves as a subject matter expert to the Dean’s Office Support Staff in their interactions with faculty in the College. 
  • Assists with providing support and guidance to Unit Leadership and unit level Fiscal Officer duties.
• Assists in resolving fiscal and administrative issues, aligning financial operations with institutional goals and project expectations. 
• Performs other duties, as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification. 

 Demonstrable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of and sound ability to conduct financial activity on behalf of the college in a fiscally responsible manner; ability to exercise appropriate financial controls.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and effectively manage financial resources and budgeting processes.
• Understanding and ability to strictly comply with policies and procedures of MSU, the College, and relevant administrative offices.
• Business and financial acumen and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Access and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to support responsible resource allocation and management.
• Ability to synthesize and present information/data to facilitate effective decision-making.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse populations and a commitment to professionalism with a customer service focus.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with various internal and external stakeholders at all levels with diplomacy.
• Ability to demonstrate self-a