Stefani N. Cruz

Primarily responsible for the business/finance/HR operation within the Business Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Panhandle Research, Extension & Education Center (PREEC)

• Developed and supervised new and existing staff members in various financial/business/HR procedures to prepare for job requirements, which reflected a 80% retention rate over 8 years.
• Decreased monthly expenditures by 30% through effectively reviewing documents and identifying problem areas.
• Analyzed financial statements against forecasts to prepare high-level variance analysis.
• Structured business center to implement cost and procedural efficiencies according to the Universities policies and procedures.
• Implemented a programmatic portfolio for over 15 faculty whose focus is in research and extension. This programmatic portfolio includes all state, revolving, grant, and foundation dollars along with human resource and contract information.
• Facilitated pre and post-award grant activity, which includes federal, non-federal, commodity, and industry dollars.
• Controlled >1mm budget within the department and recommended allocation of spending within various programs including Faculty programs, Facility projects, and other commitments.
• Partnered with IT, business development and operations leadership to develop robust financial business plan with detailed benchmarks and action plans.
• Prepared capital expenditure budgets worth over $1mm to effectively manage infrastructure investment and long-term operations.
• Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications and missed deadlines.
• Managed, supervised and controlled the execution of contracts including office, land, industry, speaker contracts.
• Devised strategies to reduce expenses, modernize operations and revamp procedures to improve institution operations.
• Assisted with the >$1mm student/faculty on site housing project, which required tracking of budget, coordination with UNL Facilities/Administration, and contractors/sub-contractors.

Primarily responsible for the business/finance/HR operation within the Business Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Panhandle Research, Extension & Education Center (PREEC)

• Developed and supervised new and existing staff members in various financial/business/HR procedures to prepare for job requirements, which reflected a 80% retention rate over 8 years.
• Decreased monthly expenditures by 30% through effectively reviewing documents and identifying problem areas.
• Analyzed financial statements against forecasts to prepare high-level variance analysis.
• Structured business center to implement cost and procedural efficiencies according to the Universities policies and procedures.
• Implemented a programmatic portfolio for over 15 faculty whose focus is in research and extension. This programmatic portfolio includes all state, revolving, grant, and foundation dollars along with human resource and contract information.
• Facilitated pre and post-award grant activity, which includes federal, non-federal, commodity, and industry dollars.
• Controlled >1mm budget within the department and recommended allocation of spending within various programs including Faculty programs, Facility projects, and other commitments.
• Partnered with IT, business development and operations leadership to develop robust financial business plan with detailed benchmarks and action plans.
• Prepared capital expenditure budgets worth over $1mm to effectively manage infrastructure investment and long-term operations.
• Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications and missed deadlines.
• Managed, supervised and controlled the execution of contracts including office, land, industry, speaker contracts.
• Devised strategies to reduce expenses, modernize operations and revamp procedures to improve institution operations.
• Assisted with the >$1mm student/faculty on site housing project, which required tracking of budget, coordination with UNL Facilities/Administration, and contractors/sub-contractors.

Serves as a portfolio manager for a research and extension faculty, each with diverse needs and focus of study

• Ensured finance transactions are completed in a timely and accurate manner and in compliance with all applicable institutional, UNL, State, and Federal regulations, policies, and guidelines
• Executed and reviewed Non-Catalogue purchase orders, standard contracts, individual journal entries and internal charges, batch journal entries, and internal charges and SOFS checks
• Provided guidance for sole source justification purchases, capitalized asset purchases, provides financial review and approval of travel expenses, and basic funds management
• Facilitated with employees within the departments served, as well as functional office staff, providing a high level of customer service and professionalism in all interactions
• Executed and reviewed routine and moderately complex finance and pre-and post-award grant transactions
• Utilized SAP and NUgrant systems to handle grant-related tasks daily, such as monitoring grant spending and preparing budgets, while self- teaching functions and processes in the systems to work efficiently
• Managed cost distribution, viewed employee appointments, and expense and revenue pages
• Partnered with Pre-Award, Post-Award, Grants Management, and Business Center personnel when completing grant spending and support transactions on a weekly basis
• Assisted in support of finance-related best practice implementation and standardized processes by ensuring forms are up-to-date and submission is done correctly
• Collaborated with Primary Investigators to prepare documents and budget justifications for large and complex grants
• Maintained confidentiality in compliance with rules and regulations, including HIPAPP A and FERPAPP guidelines on the disclosure of information
• Implemented and enforced internal controls, workflows, and policies for accounting activity tracking, reconciliation, and reporting
• Oversaw high-volume accounting operations with a 2-person team focused on efficient budget administration, AP/AR, and other financial management needs
• Eliminated financial recordkeeping errors through careful forecasting and budget management.