Accounts Receivable Specialist

The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) is seeking a highly motivated and customer-focused Financial Specialist III to support the business functions of the lab. This position is responsible for managing day-to-day accounts receivable operations, assisting with procurement activities, and performing other accounting duties, while serving as WVDL's Departmental Property Administrator.

A well-qualified candidate will have the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic work environment. They will also have a strong attention to detail, excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse teams.

This position plays a critical role in maintaining financial controls, ensuring compliance with University of Wisconsin policies, and adhering to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This individual collaborates closely with WVDL management and staff to contribute to the success of laboratory operations.

• Reviews and approves complex transactions and assigns funding codes in accordance with established rules, regulations, and policies - 25%

• Reallocates expenses to appropriate funding strings - 5%

• Serve as the WVDL Departmental Property Administrator (DPA) - 10%

• Answers complex fiscal questions and provides information based on set materials and standards to various audiences - 15%

• May train staff on financial processes and best practices - 5%

• Serve as a unit liaison to leadership providing financial advice, recommendations, and financial status updates - 5%

• Monitors financial transactions and fund balances and generates and reconciles complex reports and statements in accordance with established rules and regulations - 25%

• Drafts communications and reports and maintains organization of varied records to provide administrative support within a specified work unit - 5%

• Reviews transaction processing internal controls and recommends policies and procedures - 5%

Department:

Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory/Administration/Business Services

Our mission at the WVDL is to deliver high-quality veterinary diagnostics and exemplary customer service to promote animal and public health and the vitality of the State and National agricultural economy.

The WVDL is a top-ranked, AAVLD accredited laboratory, and is conveniently located directly behind the School of Veterinary Medicine on the UW campus. The WVDL is dedicated to fostering a healthy work environment that emphasizes mutual respect, integrity, trust, and accountability. Because of our core values, WVDL seeks to recruit, retain, and develop talented team members to help contribute to WVDL's ability to continue setting high standards for excellence in our field of expertise.

WVDL Website: https://www.wvdl.wisc.edu/

Compensation:

The minimum salary for this position is $58,000 (may be negotiable based on qualifications).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 1 year of experience in accounting, finance, or business administration with hands-on work in any of these areas.

• Knowledge of the standard rules for financial reporting (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office with experience using Excel for spreadsheets and formulas, and other tools like Word and Outlook, and the ability to create detailed spreadsheets and reports.

• Ability to review work carefully and catch errors to ensure accuracy, with a strong attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge and understanding of UW purchasing policies and procedures and how purchasing works within the University of Wisconsin system.

• Familiarity with accounting tasks such as accounts payable (paying bills), accounts receivable (processing payments), basic accounting principles, auditing, budgeting, and purchasing.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage deadlines effectively utilizing excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Ability to explain information and collaborate effectively with managers, vendors, and team members with clear communication. Strong oral and written communication skills for working with internal and external customers.

• Ability to follow through and meet deadlines by being organized and dependable in completing tasks on time.

• Ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously, and switch between tasks quickly to solve problems as they arise.

• Ability to work well with others, contribute to smooth operations, and provide helpful feedback for improvement, utilizing strong teamwork skills.

• Ability to maintain professional, cooperative relationships with managers, supervisors, coworkers, and both internal and external customers.

Education:

Associate's degree preferred, associate's degree in accounting, finance, business or related field preferred.

How to Apply:

We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process, click the "apply now" button. To be considered for this position, please provide the following documents:

-Resume

-Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)

• Please submit a resume detailing your educational and professional background and include details about your education and work experience that relate to this role.

• Please submit a cover letter explaining why you're interested in this position and how your skills and experience make you a strong fit. Highlight your relevant experience and show how your background aligns with the job requirements.

• The hiring team will use these written materials to decide who moves forward to preliminary interviews. Make sure your materials clearly demonstrate your qualifications.

• Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

The application deadline for this position is 11:59pm on January 27, 2026.

Contact Information:

• Anita Herrick, WVDL HR Director, wvdlhr@wvdl.wisc.edu

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

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