Exploring Finance at UVA: Justina Duncan

Welcome to 'Exploring Finance at UVA'! This is a 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.

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

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Justina Duncan, Business Manager

What do you do as Business Manager? 

The President's Office is a fairly small department, which means I have the opportunity to be involved in a lot of different activities. I handle the transfers of the president's discretionary funds to other schools and units at the University. I prepare account certifications for some cost centers while also approving them for others. I also review a lot of pay expense reports. I enter purchase requisitions for larger purchases, supplier invoice requests, payroll accounting/adjustments, accounting journals/adjustments, and ad hoc bank transactions. Additionally, I oversee the institutional dues process for many of the University's memberships to organizations and help manage our budget in Adaptive. 

Having spent 50% of my time on the Finance Strategic Transformation (FST) project for more than two years and another two years using Workday, I'm able to serve as a good resource to the President's Office and areas reporting to the President for all things Workday Finance, but especially expense reports. I keep myself updated on policies, procedures, and spend categories to ensure our office remains compliant. We try to set a good example!

Who do you work most with in Central Finance? 

I'm quite resourceful and am often able to find answers to questions on the Finance website or quick reference guides (QRGs). I try not to bother the busy folks in Central Finance if I don't absolutely have to. When I do reach out, I frequently work with the Travel & Expense team, Procurement, or the wonderful trainers if I'm in a serious jam!

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

We stay consistently busy as there is an undercurrent of all the usual day-to-day things like expense reports and account certifications, but then there are also more seasonal tasks that we are working on at any particular time. As in many other areas, there is an uptick in activity at the end of the fiscal year when we're wrapping up graduation and other year-end expenses. As soon as that's over, it's the beginning of the next fiscal year (who could have predicted that?), which means making final adjustments to last year and new year funding distributions. We also have an annual internal audit of our operating expenses that takes place in the summer. Soon thereafter, budget development season begins... and so it goes!

What do you like most about what you do?

I like challenges and helping people solve problems. It's satisfying to know that I can usually help when someone comes to me with a question - or at least I know how to find an answer. Additionally, working in this office provides great exposure to so many of the amazing things people are doing at the University. I'm constantly impressed.

How does your work further UVA's mission? 

On a smaller scale, I am "advancing, preserving, and disseminating knowledge" to the President's Office and occasionally to the University finance community. On a macro level, I am getting funds to student groups, staff, researchers, and faculty so they can do the good work of furthering UVA's mission in their own ways.

What's something interesting or funny about your team?

Justina's cozy spot in Madison Hall

My favorite annual traditions that the President's Office does as a team are the United Way Day of Caring and moving first-year students into their new dorms. They are excellent ways to get outside the office and get to know one another in a different environment. Plus, it's a great exercise and the recipients of our assistance are always so appreciative!