ITS Finance Specialist

Chancellor's Office Statement

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of ITS Finance Specialist. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.

Salary

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $88,224 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Classification

Administrative Analyst/Specialist - Exempt II

Compensation Notice

CSU Classification Salary Range: $69,564 - $101,340 per year (Step 1 - Step 20); Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience. Step placement upon appointment is not expected to exceed Step 13 ($88,224 per year). Future increases, including step advancement, are subject to contract negotiations.

Position Information

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking an ITS Finance Specialist to independently perform a broad range of complex analytical, fiscal, and administrative functions requiring advanced knowledge of financial management, accounting practices, contract administration, and procurement policy. The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert and key resource to ITS leadership on financial policy, compliance, and process improvement initiatives.

This position leads financial and contractual analysis for the Information Technology Services division, ensuring fiscal integrity, policy compliance, and operational efficiency across a dynamic portfolio of more than 300 Chancelor’s Office and CSU systemwide contracts. The incumbent exercises considerable judgment and discretion in developing recommendations, designing procedures, interpreting policies, and supporting strategic decision making for the ITS Finance unit.

This position is approved for telecommuting (two days telecommuting, three days in office (in-person)) with onsite work at the main headquarters located in Long Beach, California.

APPLICANTS CALLED IN TO INTERVIEW WILL BE GIVEN A SKILLS ASSESSMENT.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Director, ITS Finance, the ITS Finance Specialist will perform duties as outlined below:

Lead, ITS Procurement and Contract Administration:

-Oversee and coordinate the ITS contract and procurement portfolio, which includes more than 300 highly complex Chancellor’s Office and Systemwide contracts valued at $100M annually, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution per Chancellor’s Office and CSU policy.

-Prepare, review, and process purchase requisitions, contracts, MOU’s, and purchase orders in CSU Buy; manage workflow to verify timely routing and approval; enter related transactions (purchase orders, contracts, invoices, and payments) into the ITS master log and reconcile to maintain accuracy, compliance, and completeness within the financial ledger.

-Advise ITS leadership on complex procurement scenarios, including IT vendor negotiations, sole-source justifications, and contract compliance issues.

-Serve as the primary fiscal liaison with Procurement and Accounting to ensure contract terms, amendments, and renewals align with CSU policy and funding requirements, and act as the main point of contact for vendors to resolve billing, contract, and delivery issues, while monitoring performance for quality and compliance terms and conditions.

-Procure equipment and materials totaling $574K annually using the One Card, complete monthly reconciliations with accurate documentation and appropriate general ledger coding.

Financial Operations, Reporting, and Compliance:

-Develop and maintain internal fiscal controls and documentation procedures to ensure the accuracy, authorization, and auditability of financial transactions.

-Analyze and reconcile account balances across multiple funds and programs, verify budget allocations and accounting adjustments, identify discrepancies, and recommend corrective actions. Monitor encumbrances, expense patterns, and financial performance to mitigate potential risks and forecast resource needs.

-Independently prepare and process more than 500 complex financial transactions, including budget and expenditure transfers, journal entries, AR invoices, inter-agency billing, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting principles and CSU fiscal standards.

-Serve as the lead resource for cost recovery and receivable account activities. Coordinate with cross departments, campuses, and external partners to manage activity and secure cost recoveries due to the Chancellor’s Offices.

Strategic Financial Analysis & Policy:

-Design and maintain comprehensive financial reporting in Excel, Smartsheet, and Amazon Quick Suite to track contract utilization, spending, and key data insights that support decision-making.

-Regularly resolves complex and unique financial and contractual issues that require interpreting CSU policy, applying independent judgment, taking initiative, and developing alternative solutions escalating to management only when needed.

-Conduct complex financial analysis to support ITS strategic and operational planning, budget forecasting, trend analysis, cost modeling, and cost recovery models.

-Collaborate with ITS leadership to shape strategic fiscal strategies that strengthen accountability, guide long-term planning, and continuous improvement.

-Serve as the subject matter expert for ITS travel and hospitality claims, maintaining current knowledge of the CSU and Chancellor’s Office policy, interpreting and applying requirements, and helping refine ITS procedures and system improvements to strengthen compliance and efficiency.

-Review and approve 300+ employee travel and expense reports totaling $168K annually; identify and resolve discrepancies or missing documentation.

-Support 193 ITS employees with payments for conference registrations, subscriptions, and memberships, and handle third-party billing and hotel payment forms by coordinating with vendors and Accounts Payable. Coordinate food and beverage payments ensuring compliance with CSU hospitality policy and funding requirements.

Consultation, Process Improvement, and Stakeholder Engagement:

-Serve as the lead advisor for the ITS Finance team, assessing inquiries from vendors, campuses, and Chancellor’s Office departments and providing problem-solving guidance, strategic recommendations, and policy-aligned solutions Serve as a subject matter expert and consultant to other divisions on financial and procurement best practices.

-Function as a lead resource for internal and external stakeholders, interpreting CSU fiscal policy, ITS procedures, procurement processes, and financial systems while providing authoritative guidance to ITS, campus partners, and external stakeholders.

-Evaluate and analyze financial and operational processes to identify inefficiencies, recommend fixes, and implement improvement to enhance accuracy, reduce risk, and improve overall operational effectiveness.

-Serve as the subject matter expert and primary contact for technical financial system support, leading troubleshooting, automation enhancements, and efficiency improvements.

-Lead the financial work on major ITS initiatives with systemwide impact, coordinating with key partners to ensure fiscal alignment, and drives cross-department projects that simplify and speed up procurement and contract workflows.

Other Duties:

-Support the FinOps Community of Practice.

-Support division-wide initiatives requiring fiscal analysis or administrative coordination.

-Provides backup and support for other ITS Finance staff as needed to ensure continuity of operations.

Qualifications

This position requires:

-Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any field or equivalent combination of education and related experience is required.

-Requires five years of progressively responsible related work experience in the budget/financial field.

-Strong knowledge of accounting, budget administration, procurement, and contract management.

-Experience with IT vendors, software, hardware, or consultants is required.

-Ability to understand, interpret, and apply a wide variety of policies and procedures is required.

-Demonstrated high attention to detail and a strong commitment to maintaining a high degree of accuracy in all work.

-Advanced knowledge of Excel with the ability to create complex spreadsheets, which include the use of formula driven features and the ability to present data.

-Experience working in a higher education environment is desirable.

-Comprehensive knowledge of Chancellor’s Office financial systems, fiscal policy, and procedures.

-Experience with data analysis, financial modeling, budget, and contract negotiation.

-Demonstrate problem-solving ability and analytical skills with the ability to research, evaluate, and analyze complex information/assignments.

-Proficiency in using research tools to gather information, make informed decisions, support initiatives, and find solutions.

-Demonstrate competency in retrieving, compiling, and analyzing data from various sources.

-Ability to formulate clear, concise, and objective recommendations.

-Able to develop and nurture relationships across teams and disciplines to promote collaboration and Efficiency.

-Excellent organization with demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and direct multiple projects and activities with competing deadlines and conflicting priorities.

-Ability to set timelines and priorities; take the initiative and exercise sound judgment within a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

-Ability to follow instructions; work independently with minimal supervision and a high degree of self-direction and initiative.

-Ability to present information concisely, effectively, and accurately both verbally and in writing.

-Ability to keep information, content, intent, and sources confidential.

-Proficiency knowledge in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).

-Proficiency with other software including PeopleSoft, Jaggaer, Tableau, Smartsheet, Service Now, Amazon QuickSuite.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by December 24, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

How To Apply

Please click "Apply Now" to complete the California State University, Chancellor's Office online employment application.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the CSU provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager at (562) 951-4070.

Title IX

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix

E-Verify

This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS)' in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is not a sponsoring agency for staff and Management positions (i.e., H1-B VISAS).

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy , it is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.

CSU Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Background

The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.

Advertised: Dec 10 2025 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:

• 

• California State University (CSU) Chancellor's Office

• (562) 951-4070

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