Finance Specialist

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities. 

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The SoNS Division is seeking a detail-oriented Finance Specialist to manage the accurate entry and reporting of all school-wide labor distribution costs. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, this role is responsible for ensuring all labor costs are submitted in a timely manner and accurately entered and processed. The position is also responsible for compiling financial reports, analyzing data, and identifying fiscal trends.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate will possess strong data entry skills, a keen analytical mindset, and the ability to work efficiently with financial systems. This role requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail to support financial decision-making within the division.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for data entry for all school-wide labor distributions. Ensures accuracy of budget to actual labor expenses
• Ensures compliance with school-wide fiscal procedures and university policies.
• Collaborates with department admin to ensure timely submission of labor distribution requests. Ensures proper cost allocation and reporting
• Analyzes financial data, including but not limited to labor cost trends and budget to actual variances
• Performs advanced finance functions and activities requiring advanced knowledge and application of internal policies, external regulations, precedents, and systems.
• Serves as the School’s primary point of contact for labor distributions
• Assists in financial reconciliations, audits, and compliance reviews related to labor expenses
• Supports the Director of Finance in preparing reports and forecasts, including but not limited to labor costs, commitments, and endowments

This is a great opportunity for a finance professional who excels in a data-driven environment. The position entails responsibilities related to financial reporting and tracking, necessitating a strong commitment to maintaining financial accuracy and integrity while also performing other critical financial functions for the SoNS division.

Workplace Requirements: 

The position entails work on Rice University’s campus, with the potential for some remote work/flexible work arrangements. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. The position is an on-campus position with up to one remote day per week, determined after the start of employment. The position will work adjacent to other staff in a shared/cubicle office setting.

Hiring Range: $60,000 - $65,000 annually

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
  • In lieu of the education/experience requirement, additional related education and/or experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
• 2+ years of related experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial systems
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences and client groups
• Project management skills and ability to contribute to or lead part of a multi-functional team

Essential Functions:

• Performs and designs ad hoc analyses of large complex data sets; reconciles complex accounts
• Identifies and resolves complex issues
• High-volume labor distribution entry and processing
• Constructs and assembles data for budgeting and decision making; develops conclusions and presents a high-level summary of recommendations
• May provide support for annual budget preparation
• Executes internal control programs established by management, research new regulations, and recommends and implements approved changes
• Develops reports and presentations of complex financial data and metrics for management and third parties
• Develops and maintains desktop procedures and process documentation for area of responsibility
• Defines requirements, develops and implements complex test cases, performs system testing and analyzes results
• Performs other duties as assigned

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.