Exploring Finance at UVA: Michele Roszell

 

Welcome to 'Exploring Finance at UVA'! This is a new, recurring blog feature that will highlight finance professionals from across Grounds, beyond UVAFinance. Meet a diverse array of staff members and delve into their roles and insights in the world of finance within the greater UVA framework.

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Michele Roszell, Financial Services Specialist

Michele Roszell

What do you do as Financial Services Specialist? 

Currently, I complete all of the Account Certifications for the Arts and Sciences Dean's Office. I am the first reviewer for Account Certifications for smaller departments for their Department Manager to review. I review and approve all of the expense reports that come through with the Dean's Office's Cost Centers. I assist with creating expense reports for those departments where an employee has left UVA.

Who do you work most with in Central Finance?

I work with Procurement, Jack Jensen, Danielle Hancock, Ask Finance, and Jenny Godden. Outside of Central Finance I work with our Department Managers and their staff or faculty.

What rhythms exist in your work? Is there a busy season? 

Every month we start off with Account Certifications. I get around 200 new ones per month. Every day I receive Expense Reports to review and either send back (the wrong Cost Center is the most common problem) or I approve them. Sometimes when faculty are traveling, they have questions and if they can reach me via Zoom or Teams, I can help them find a solution quickly. I have been part of tracking the Dean's OTPS funds since those worktags show up on the expense reports. The least busy weeks of the year are Spring Break in March when the students are gone, and the third week in October because faculty are not traveling in September or October to create expense reports. 

What do you like most about what you do? 

What I enjoy the most is solving problems and puzzles. I enjoy knowing how things work . When someone reaches out with an account certification or expense report problem, it makes me happy when I am able to help them spot the problem and fix things quickly.

Bowie, hard at work

How does your work further UVA's mission?

I believe UVA's mission is to teach the next generations. I view my finance job as being responsible with UVA's resources. I find helping the faculty learn how to use the expense report function is important so that they can get on with what they love best - teaching and research.

What's something interesting or funny about your team?

Most of us are still 100% remote. Our "co-workers" cover us in fur and hair. We love them anyway. My dog, Bowie, knows when a video meeting is going on. He sneaks up close to me to see "who" I'm talking to and if he approves! Also, my monitor (on the right)  is actually a TV and a $5 yard sale purchase, as I am steward of my finances. 

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If you or someone you know would like to be featured in Exploring Finance at UVA, please email bv8h@virginia.edu