EHRA Conversion for Auditing, Business, and Finance (ABF) Professionals

Key Points Timeline Information Sessions Affected Classifications New ABF Classifications
Employees in SHRA Auditing, Business, and Finance (ABF) Professional job classifications, who are exempt from the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and whose positions reflect one-third or greater professional accounting duties are being offered the opportunity to change employment status from SHRA to EHRA. FLSA non-exempt employees (those paid hourly and subject to overtime) are not eligible for this change. EHRA Auditing, Business, and Finance Professional job classifications are part of the EHRA Non-Faculty Instructional, Research and Information Technology (IRIT) category and will be subject to all University policies and procedures applicable to this category of employees.Working in collaboration with School/Division HR Officers, the University Human Resources Office (UHR) is responsible for implementation of these guidelines. UHR’s responsibilities include

  • Oversight of the project.
  • Developing a communications plan.
  • Holding information sessions.
  • Evaluating position descriptions of eligible employees for the appropriate EHRA classification title and salary.

Key Points

Of approximately 1039 NC State University SHRA FLSA-exempt employees, roughly 224 are ABF employees who will have the option to convert to EHRA status or to stay SHRA for as long as they remain in their current positions.

  • No employee will be compelled or required to change status.
  • Employees who elect to remain SHRA but apply for and accept an EHRA position will convert to EHRA.
  • Employees will have only one opportunity to convert to EHRA status: a 90-day election period.
  • There is no automatic salary increase entitlement as a result of an employee electing to convert from SHRA to EHRA Non-Faculty status as a consequence of this implementation.

Each eligible employee will be provided information to aid them in the decision-making process, including information about:

  • Key differences between SHRA and EHRA policies.
  • Benefits and terms and conditions of employment.
  • EHRA ABF professional job classification and associated salary range for the employee’s position.
  • EHRA annual salary determined for the employee.
  • Conversion FAQs.

As of August 1, 2022, all newly created or vacated FLSA-exempt SHRA ABF positions and positions with one-third or greater professional accounting duties will be posted and filled as EHRA Non-Faculty.

Timeline

The ABF EHRA conversion will be completed in two phases. Phase one will include Audit and Audit Manager, Business Officer, Business Manager, and Fiance and Budget Analyst positions. The timeline for the phase one conversion will begin in November 2022 and will end in January 2023.

The phase two conversion process will begin in April 2023 and end in July 2023. Phase two ABF conversion will include Accountant and Accounting Manager, and University Program Managers and Specialists.

Information Sessions and Resources

We understand that eligible SHRA ABF employees have questions, as they review their conversion offer and make decisions. University Human Resources will offer six (6) informational sessions for managers and employees in the coming months. Eligible employees will receive an email notification about session dates and times. We have also included the links below to help employees make informed decisions:

Affected SHRA Classifications*
  • Accountant
  • Accounting Manager
  • Auditor
  • Audit Manager
  • Business Officer
  • Business Manager
  • University Program Specialist
  • University Program Manager
  • Finance & Budget Analyst
  • Finance & Budget Manager

* Applies to all three career banding levels (contributing, journey and advanced)

New EHRA ABF Classifications

Role Definitions

  • Accountant Performs professional operating and cost accounting work requiring knowledge of the theory and practice of recording, classifying, examining, and analyzing financial records and transactions. Requires considerable knowledge of accounting methods, procedures, and financial practices; interprets and applies complex state and federal fiscal regulations; uses judgment and theory to a wide variety of situations that are not covered by regulations or precedent; develops complex accounting worksheets and financial reports.
  • Accounting Manager: Responsible for overall management of a departmental accounting function and serves as part of the management team. Manages a staff of professional level accountants and administrative staff engaged in accounting and fiscal work. Leads development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, programs and priorities for improvements to existing standards and procedures. Plans, directs and coordinates the accounting services for the department.
  • Auditor: Performs professional auditing work to include examining and analyzing financial functions, program operations, and systems to determine compliance with local, state, or federal procedures and regulations. Makes recommendations for process or policy improvement. Work requires knowledge and application of theories, principles, and practices of statutory requirements of specific programs.
  • Audit Manager: Manages a professional auditing staff in the conduct of internal/external financial performance, administrative compliance, operational efficiency and program effectiveness. Develops short- and long-term goals and objectives, creates policies, develops & implements standard operating procedures and determines necessity for additional audit instructions and guidelines for University operations.
  • Business Officer: (also includes the SHRA University Program Specialist classification)Provides day-to-day operational/program management for the department in areas of operating budgets and staff. Assists with policy development and interpretation, budget management and planning. Reviews and enhances procedures that impact the unit. May supervise administrative or technical staff.
  • Business Manager: Manages a departmental diverse/dynamic business operation. Provides oversight for business components in areas of budget management, financial planning, purchasing, personnel administration and facilities management. Provides leadership and administrative direction in development of processes, procedures, and systems that contribute to successful business operations. Supervise professionals within the business operations unit. Formulates business policies, practices, direction, and service delivery solutions.
  • Finance & Budget Analyst: Performs advanced analyses to support the development and administration of departmental budgets. Advises and assists in developing budget estimates and establishing cost estimates for existing, new and expanded programs. Creates and reviews varying financial reports for varying internal and external entities.
  • Finance & Budget Manager: Manages a department with diverse/dynamic financial operations. Provides oversight for accounting or financial professional staff. Plans budget activities including the preparation of annual and biennial budgets. Provides leadership and administrative direction in development of cost projections, analysis, fiscal allocation and budget preparation. Examines budget estimates for accuracy, conformance and cost control. Performs cost-benefit analyses to compare operating programs, financial requests or alternative financing methods. Formulates finance and budget policies and practices.

Questions?

For questions regarding the SHRA to EHRA ABF conversion process, please email Margaret Erickson in University Human Resources at, meericks@ncsu.edu.