Fiscal Specialist

Title: Fiscal Specialist

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: College of Natural Sciences

Department: Dean - Natural Sciences

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Job Summary

Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Fiscal Specialist manages the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) scholarship process and assists with additional financial, accounting, and operational support within CNS. This role also supports financial reconciliation and reporting activities associated with college operations.

Essential Functions

Manages the college's scholarship awarding process through Academic Works.

Review fund codes and descriptions for each award yearly; work with Senior Assistant Director, Scholarship Manager in the Financial Aid Office to enter any new scholarships.

Work with the appropriate Associate Deans to confirm available funds for college level scholarships; start and end dates of awards and to annually review College scholarship policy.

Work with CNS departments and programs to review their scholarship information.

Record all award amounts, number of awards per fund, start, end, review and post-acceptance dates into the Academic Works system. Consult with department scholarship committees as necessary.

Facilitate departments' and programs' submissions from review committees; work with the Senior Assistant Director, Scholarship Manager to enter in Academic Works.

Facilitate training on scholarship process for department Chairs, UPDs and GPDs and reviewers.

Respond to any inquiries from departments, reviewers, students and Financial Aid as required.

Review submissions of proposed awardees; confirm reviews completed; awardee eligibility and available funds.

Review communications for accuracy and record student awards into Academic Works.

Review post-acceptance responses and submit reports to Financial Aid for processing.

Monitor revenue, expenses, and fund balances in the CNS portfolio of gift and endowment accounts with a total budget of roughly $6 million.

Perform financial operations support for the Dean and Student Success offices including processing of purchase orders, invoices, travel & expense statements.

Facilitate departmental billing for established cost centers as needed.

Process journal entries as needed.

Provide reporting on other assigned funds in the College.

Other Functions

Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, equality and inclusiveness.

Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.

Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Supports College leadership with a range of operational needs.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

An associate's degree with four (4) years of finance, accounting, office administration, or related experience OR a bachelor's degree with two (2) years of finance, accounting, office administration, or related experience.

Exceptional organizational skills, independent judgement, and attention to detail; ability to prioritize and manage several projects simultaneously and successfully within provided deadlines.

Ability to keep financial records and understand basic accounting principles.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to lead and interact effectively, work productively, and maintain professional and harmonious working relationships with diverse faculty and staff.


Superior verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to credibly and authoritatively communicate with faculty, staff, and administration as well as with other constituents.

Advanced proficiency working with Microsoft Office suite. Willingness and ability to learn new technological skills as the need arises.


Ability to think creatively, problem-solve, and elicit cooperation from multiple offices and institutions, and build bridges. Ability to innovate practices and processes for optimized outcomes.


Strong ability to exercise sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of University systems, policies, and procedures.

Experience working with confidential information.


Experience working in higher education.

Additional Details

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. These values and goals are reflected in the College of Natural Sciences' Inclusive Excellence framework and in the UMass Amherst's For the Common Good: 2024-2034 Strategic Plan.

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 25

Click here to view the Professional Staff hiring ranges.

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.