Business Management
This team oversees business functions for academic departments, schools, and administrative units. Through collaboration with stakeholders, they ensure financial strength, internal control compliance, and provide risk management and policy interpretation. The team consists of over 100 staff in roles such as Directors of Financial Affairs (DFA), Assistant Directors of Financial Affairs (ADFA), and Business Managers.
- Directors of Financial Affairs (DFA) – DFA’s are the lead Finance representatives for colleges/units across campus providing support for Deans and Vice Presidents and oversight of the college/units business management staff. The DFA directs the management of finances and business services for their college/unit; provides strategic advice and counsel to college leadership; ensures strong fiscal stewardship; and conducts financial research and analysis to inform decisions and guide business activities.
- Assistant Directors of Financial Affairs (ADFA) – ADFA duties vary across positions but generally provide financial analysis, forecasting and policy interpretation for college/unit customers as assigned by the DFA. ADFA’s frequently provide oversight or direct supervision of unit finance staff as well as Employment and/or Purchasing Centers. The ADFA is often tasked with special projects such as designing new account management processes or implementing new systems.
- Business Manager – Business Managers direct the management of the finances and business support for units across campus. These positions report to DFA/ADFA’s and play a key role in the preparation of financial reports to support long-range forecasts; make budget recommendations; and provide financial analysis for their assigned unit. These positions may or may not have supervision responsibilities.
- Research Account Specialists (RAS) – These positions work directly with faculty, often in collaboration with business office staff, to guide the administration of research from proposal submission through awarding and post award phases. Post award activities include preparing and reviewing grant projections; serving as the point of contact for participants, sponsors, subcontractors, and Purdue offices regarding grant related financial issues.
- Business Assistants – Business Assistants, or Account Clerks, are frequently the first positions contacted when customers need to “get something done” and exist on the Business Management teams as well as operations (see below). Business Management Business Assistant positions specialize in account management and assist faculty/staff, graduate students and business offices in managing and interpreting financial information consistently, efficiently and accurately. These positions may exercise delegated signature approval; develop financial reports or analyze and project data for budget reviews; and may sometimes serve as back up to the business manager. They are often a liaison between their units, other business areas and the Employment and Purchasing Centers described below.
Business Operations and Administration
Business Operations and Administration staff include Directors, AFA’s, Business Managers, a Project Manager plus Business Assistants providing the functional support described below.
- Accounts Payable – Accounts payable (AP) is responsible for processing invoices to pay vendors for the goods and services needed to operate the university. The AP team maintains vendor records, responds to internal and external inquiries, keys invoices from purchase orders as well as specialized purchases. Positions in Accounts Payable include Payables Manager, Accounting Technicians and Administrative Clerks.
- Operation Centers – Operation Centers are clusters of business assistants who support various campus areas as a team to support faculty and staff as they carry out the mission of the university. Positions in the Operation Centers are Business Assistants with expertise in either employment or purchasing functions.
- Employment – These positions work as a team within Employment Centers across campus and support employment related functions by assisting with employment onboarding and ensuring the timely and effective processing of payroll. These individuals are familiar with the various payroll processes and employment types.
- Purchasing – Using a variety of mechanisms, these positions focus solely on purchasing-related activities in support of their customers. These positions are responsible for the whole process – placing the order, receiving the order and making sure the vendor is paid.
Controller Office Units
The Controller’s Office is responsible for the collection and disbursement of funds for the University and ensures financial transactions are in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Governmental Accounting Standards. Controller units include Managerial Accounting, Office of the Bursar, Accounting Services and Treasury Operations. Positions include Assistant Controllers, Accountants, Managers, Business Analysts, Financial Analysts, Account Clerks and unit specific functional staff.
Financial Planning Analysis (FPA)
FPA coordinates and administers a system-wide operating budget including the annual plan and the biennial operating budget request to the State of Indiana. FPA is responsible for developing forecast methodologies and working with Business Management staff and others to implement the methodologies; providing institutionally validated responses to financial requests from external entities; and completes a variety of internal financial studies to forecast and analyze financial implications of strategic initiatives. FPA positions include Assistant Directors, Financial and Data Analysts, Account Assistants and Account Clerks.
Senior Directors
These positions provide oversight and direction to the functional areas and positions described above. Some senior directors focus on functional specific areas while others maintain a portfolio of colleges and units and provide support and direction to the business management supporting those areas. The senior directors work collaboratively to provide the support and guidance needed to ensure the success of institutional priorities and address systemwide financial issues.
Work Locations: Remote, Hybrid and On Campus
The work locations for the Finance team vary based on the needs of the position and can be fully remote, hybrid, or 100% on campus. Work locations for the position are typically addressed in the vacancy postings. Specific inquiries can be directed to the hiring supervisor or Human Resources recruiter.