Workday Functional SME - Workday Financials - Remote

Hello Professionals,

Job Description: Functional Subject Matter Expert (SME), Workday Financials

Position: Functional Subject Matter Expert (SME), Workday Financials
Client: Public Higher Education Institution (via Workday Professional Services)
Engagement: Long-term Contract (~30-35 hrs/week), Immediate Start through July 2026
Location: Remote

Company Overview:
ERPA is a leading provider of technology consulting services, subcontracted by Workday Professional Services to support a critical Workday HCM, Payroll, and Financials implementation for a public university in Florida. The client is transitioning from PeopleSoft and requires expert functional guidance to overcome resource constraints and get their stalled project back on track for a July 2026 go-live.

Role Summary:
We are seeking a seasoned Functional Financials Subject Matter Expert (SME) to serve as the client-side authority for the Workday Financials deployment. This individual will be responsible for ensuring the Financials modules are configured to meet the complex accounting, budgeting, and reporting needs of a public higher education institution. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between the Workday implementation team and the university's finance office, providing critical expertise to validate designs, troubleshoot issues, and guide the client through the functional aspects of their implementation.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financials Functional Leadership & Design:

• Act as the primary client-side functional expert for Workday Financials, focusing on key areas such as General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Procurement, Projects, and Budgeting.
• Lead functional design sessions with the client's finance, accounting, and procurement teams to translate business requirements into effective Workday system configurations.
• Provide expert guidance on public sector and higher education accounting principles, fund accounting, grant management, and compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with the Workday implementation consultants to ensure the system design supports the client's business processes and internal controls.

1. Client-Side Validation & Testing:

• Provide critical functional input and support to the Test Execution Lead, developing and validating test scenarios specific to Financials processes.
• Analyze, triage, and resolve functional defects within the Financials workstream, ensuring issues are resolved before go-live.
• Validate the integrity of financial reports and data outputs, ensuring they meet the client's audit and management reporting needs.

1. Business Process Re-engineering & Knowledge Transfer:

• Help the client transition from their legacy PeopleSoft Financials processes to Workday best practices.
• Identify functional gaps and propose viable solutions to meet the university's operational requirements.
• Document functional specifications and decisions clearly.
• Conduct knowledge transfer sessions with the client's core team to build internal, sustainable expertise.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• 5+ years of functional experience implementing or supporting Financials modules in a major ERP system (Workday, PeopleSoft, Oracle, or SAP).
• Deep, hands-on expertise in core financial processes including General Ledger, Procure-to-Pay, and ideally Budgeting or Grants Management.
• Direct experience in the Public Sector or Higher Education is highly preferred, with a strong understanding of fund accounting, compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Proven ability to configure systems, troubleshoot complex functional issues, and guide business process design.
• Strong understanding of financial integrations and data conversion principles.
• Workday Financials certification or proven implementation experience is a significant advantage.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

Ideal Candidate Profile:
You are a meticulous financial professional with a passion for technology. You understand that a robust financial system is the backbone of any organization, and you are dedicated to ensuring its accuracy and efficiency. You are a trusted advisor who can navigate the complexities of university finance, advocate for the client's needs, and ensure the Workday Financials system is built on a solid functional foundation.

The Opportunity:
This role is critical for ensuring the financial integrity and operational success of the client's new Workday system. You will have a direct impact on a high-visibility project and will be positioned for potential future opportunities with the client's subsequent Student deployment and potential long-term Application Managed Services (AMS).

Why This JD is Effective for this Specific Need:

• Public Sector Focus: It explicitly calls out fund accounting, grants, and compliance, which are critical for a public university.
• Legacy System Context: It acknowledges the transition from PeopleSoft, attracting candidates with relevant experience.
• Client-Side Mandate: It clearly defines the role as acting for the client, not as a Workday consultant, focusing on validation, guidance, and knowledge transfer.
• Problem-Solving Orientation: The responsibilities are framed around solving the client's specific problems: stalling, rework, and resource constraints.
• Future Opportunity: It ties the role directly to the future Student deployment and AMS, making the long-term engagement more attractive.

Thanks & Regards,

Anthony Kumar Guvvala

ERP Analysts, Inc.

Direct:

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