Financial Officer III

The Business Services team at Utah State University invites applications for a Financial Officer III position to support the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Reporting to the Executive Director of Financial Operations this position serves as the principal financial advisor to the Dean overseeing budgeting forecasting reporting and financial strategy.

The Financial Officer III provides leadership to a team of financial staff ensuring compliance with university policies promoting financial stewardship and enabling informed decision-making that advances institutional goals. The position plays a key role in developing sustainable financial models optimizing resource utilization and leading financial process improvement initiatives.

Strategic Planning & Forecasting

• Drives multi-year strategic financial planning aligned with institutional goals.
• Direct comprehensive financial strategy forecasting and resource planning for the college or division.
• Partner with senior leadership to design and implement financial frameworks supporting growth innovation and sustainability.
• Provide executive-level financial modeling and analysis for strategic initiatives capital projects and new programs.
• Oversee the integration of financial operational and academic data to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Lead cross-unit financial planning sessions to ensure alignment with university priorities.

Governance & Risk Management

• Establish and maintain robust financial governance internal controls and risk mitigation strategies.
• Oversee financial compliance with all state federal and institutional requirements.
• Evaluate the impact of policy or regulatory changes on college/division financial operations and recommend adaptations.
• Lead internal audit preparation ensuring readiness and adherence to best practices.
• Synthesizes policy regulatory and financial data to inform executive decisions.
• Anticipates systemic risks; leads financial contingency planning and reserves strategy.

Operational Oversight & Reporting

• Oversee all financial reporting and performance metrics for the division.
• Ensure fiscal accountabilities for all restricted unrestricted and auxiliary funds.
• Provide quarterly and annual reports to leadership detailing fiscal health performance and trend analysis.
• Integrate data analytics and technology to enhance accuracy transparency and forecasting capability.
• Designs comprehensive financial structures and governance models.

Financial Review and Reconciliation

• Evaluates high-impact projects and complex funding agreements at executive level.
• Review and reconcile financial transactions to ensure expenditures are allocable reasonable and allowable in accordance with university policy funding requirements and applicable regulations.
• Verify compliance for funds with specific use restrictions including course fees service centers grants scholarships endowment spendable accounts operating budgets and other assigned funding sources.

Financial Department Engagement and Team Leadership

• Lead a large financial operations team setting strategic goals and performance standards.
• Mentor and develop future financial leaders within the organization.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and strengthen customer service.
• Build partnerships with institutional offices (e.g. Budget HR Sponsored Programs) to advance coordinated financial management.
• Advise senior leadership on the implications of Finance policies initiatives and enterprise-level decisions.
• Collaborate with Finance leadership to shape and advance university-wide financial strategies governance and stewardship frameworks.
• Lead or co-chair institutional committees or task forces that align college/division financial operations with broader Finance objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in finance accounting business administration economics or related field; or equivalent advanced learning attained through experience.
• Minimum of 9 years of related work experience including 5 years of leadership experience (e.g. experience leading a team project program and/or function).

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in finance accounting business administration economics or related field.
• Extensive experience managing complex budgets in a higher education or large public-sector environment.

Along with the online application please attach:

1. Resumeto be uploaded at the beginning of your application inthe CandidateProfile under Resume/CV
2. Cover letterto be typed/pasted at the end of your application (iForm)
3. Contact information for Professional Reference to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the CandidateProfile under Documents 1-5

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

• Office Setting: Instructional designers typically work in an office setting either on campus or remotely from home. The workspace is usually equipped with a computer software tools and other necessary resources.
• Schedule: Standard working hours are common but flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines. Remote work options are often available allowing for a more flexible schedule.
• Collaboration: Frequent collaboration with subject matter experts educators and other stakeholders is essential. This can involve meetings brainstorming sessions and feedback loops.
• Technology Use: Regular use of office software (e.g. Excel Outlook ERP systems).
• Sitting and Standing: The role involves long periods of sitting and working at a computer. Ergonomic furniture and regular breaks are important to maintain comfort and health.
• Visual Strain: Prolonged screen time can lead to eye strain so its important to take regular breaks and use proper lighting.
• Minimal Physical Exertion: The job generally requires minimal physical exertion but occasional lifting of materials or equipment may be necessary.
• Travel: There may be occasional travel to attend conferences training sessions or meetings with team members or customers.
• Compliance & Confidentiality: Must adhere to data security and confidentiality standards when handling sensitive financial and personnel information.

Founded in 1888 Utah State University is Utahs premier land-grant public service university. As an R1 research institution Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local regional and global communities. USU prepares students to be active civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education USU remains a leader in research discovery and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29800 students both online and in person atlocations throughout the state.Utah States 30 locations include a main campus in Logan Utah residential campuses in Price and Blanding and six additional statewide campuses along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season.The Aggies long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in womens volleyball three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in womens soccer conference championships and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics reflecting USUs commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected valued and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit hire and retain people from all walks of life who willchampion excellence in education research discovery outreach and believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be recognized our commitment to employees when they namedUtah State the best employer in Utahin 2023.Learn moreabout USU.

The university provides aDual Career Assistance Programto support careers for partners who are also seeking is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability contact the universitys ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at or.

*updated 12/2025

In its programs and activities including in admissions and employment Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy Title IX or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring promotion transfer or termination based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race color religion sex familial status disability national origin source of income sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USUs non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination please visit or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

*updated 10/2025