Budget/Business Technician

USC School of Architecture is a dynamic platform for educating and inspiring architects to analyze problems and create design solutions that both respond to the challenges of our time and embrace the promise of a better built environment. For 100 years, USC Architecture faculty and graduates have pushed beyond the traditional boundaries of the field to pioneer many paradigm-shifting new practices of architecture. Deeply rooted in the city of Los Angeles and also intensely connected globally, USC Architecture works with our surrounding communities to develop and leverage local insights to forge creative works and solutions.

The USC School of Architecture is looking for a customer-centric and outcomes-oriented Budget/Business Technician to join the Business Office Team. This staff member sill report to the Assistant Dean of Finance.

The Budget/Business Technician will be part of a team who manages business processes for the school in support of the students, staff, and faculty. In this fast-paced environment, the Budget/Business Technician will have responsibilities that include but are not limited to:

· Prepares, processes and/or reviews paperwork, e.g., department orders and supplier invoice requests, requisitions and other budget and business forms.

· Assists with the preparation and submission of Requisitions to set up Standing Purchase Orders (SPO). This includes SPOs for the various goods and services necessary to support the school’s operations.

· Monitors all Standing Purchase Orders for correct charges and itemizes expenses.

· Processes orders for students, faculty, and staff from various approved suppliers using the procurement card including Amazon Business, CDWG, Home Depot, etc.

· Reconcile procurement card expenses on a monthly basis for orders processed on behalf of the school.

· Submits and tracks Internal Service Delivery (ISD) requests for parking, hospitality, USC Ticket Office, Alumni Relations, etc. and tracks expenses.

· Processes parking reservations for various visiting guests, scholars, and donors to the USC campus.

· Coordinates travel reservations, including airline and hotel reservations for visiting guests and processes reimbursements in the SAP Concur expense report system.

· Manages travel expenses in collaboration with faculty for the Global Studies programs. This includes paying expense for hotel/housing, excursions, travel, and some miscellaneous requisites such as visa and location fees.

· Oversees honoraria processing for visiting lecturers, guest critiques, and referees.

· Collaborates with the Supplier Data Management team in setting up new suppliers.

· Inputs financial data to ledgers or departmental accounting systems. Reconciles internal records to university Workday financial system. Distributes Accounting and Financial reports. Researches problems and corrects errors or brings to the attention of the supervisor for further consideration.

· Monitors and/or controls expenditures for intercampus and external vendors. Reconciles vendor statements and submits invoices for payment. Interfaces with purchasing, external vendors and accounts payable to verify prices and resolve discrepancies.

· Submits Change Order Requests (COR) as necessary to increase SPOs through-out the year and as funds start running low.

· Tracks all supplier invoices to make sure payments are being submitted on a timely basis and brings up any issues to supervisor.

· Interacts with university financial offices to exchange information and resolve problems.

· Assists in the preparation of periodic financial reports for internal and/or external use.

· Orders materials and supplies for the Business Office staff.

· Interacts with Budget Business Analyst and Assistant Dean of Finance in planning of short and long-term budgets by compiling and organizing data for use in forecasts.

Preferred Experience

· 2 or more years of relevant work experience in an Administrative Office, Business Office or Central Budget Office.

· Experience in an academic school or administrative unit in a university environment highly desired.

· Associate’s degree in business administration/ accounting or related field/University experience may substitute for degree.

· University budget experience and knowledge of university enterprise resource planning systems such as Workday.

· Strong computer skills including Excel spreadsheets.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

· Exceptional customer service skills to meet stakeholder needs.

· Ability to work in a cohesive team-oriented environment.

· A self-motivated critical thinker who can solve issues encountered and provide alternate solutions.

· Possess a strong work ethic with the ability to meet deadlines and interact with all levels of management.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

The Business Office Team is the central core for all business and financial transactions within the USC School of Architecture. Having the ability to work with accounting systems, adapt to new fiscal environments, and maintain adherence to expenditure policies while delivering a high level of customer service will be key requirements for the successful candidate.

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff & their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans; tuition benefits for staff & their family; free professional development online courses; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick up services; discounts to football, basketball & other campus events. To view more information, please visit: https://employees.usc.edu/benefits-perks/

Additional Information:

The Budget Business Technician will be expected to work onsite for 4 days per week and adhere to a 4:1 work schedule where one day is allowed for remote work. This position is not eligible for fully remote work.

The hourly rate range for this position is $25.68 - $28.76. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope of responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Required Applicant Documents:

*Please upload Cover Letter and Resume to be considered. Please feel free to upload your application materials in a single document.

USC is a smoke-free environment

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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Minimum Education: - High school or equivalent - Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: - 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: - Directly related office financial experience to provide a knowledge of accounts payable, income and expense accounting and reconcilement, and budget preparation.