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

Important Update: Notice of Second Election Period

The UNC System Office has granted UNC-Chapel Hill the opportunity to hold a second election period for the ABF Conversion. The ABF salary ranges will be updated in the coming months; the exact date they will be released is to be determined.

After the updated ABF ranges are released to UNC campuses, details about the second election period will be emailed to eligible employees and their direct supervisors.

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 Office of Human Resources (OHR) is responsible for implementation of these guidelines. OHR’s responsibilities include

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

 

Key Points

Of approximately 1,700 UNC Chapel Hill SHRA FLSA-exempt employees, roughly 600 are UNC 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 an opportunity to convert to EHRA status: a 90-day election period from Jan. 16, 2023 through April 16, 2023.
  • The UNC System Office has granted UNC-Chapel Hill the opportunity to hold a second election period for the ABF Conversion. Details about the second election period will be communicated in the coming months.
  • 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 Sept. 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.

Resources

We recognize that existing SHRA ABF employees may have questions about this statutory change. The Office of Human Resources will offer information sessions for managers and employees in the coming months; eligible employees and their managers 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

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
This classification must supervise 4 or more direct reports. Responsible for overall management of a departmental accounting function and serves as part of 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
This classification must supervise at least 1 direct report. 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
(also includes the SHRA University Program Manager classification)
This classification must supervise 4 or more direct reports. 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
This classification must supervise 4 or more direct reports. 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 biannual 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.
View the EHRA Non-Faculty Auditing, Business, and Finance (ABF) Professionals Salary Structure table (pdf) for:

  • SHRA career banding class titles.
  • new EHRA titles.
  • minimum, maximum and reference salary rates for converting ABF positions.

FOR NON-MANAGER Job Codes

LEVEL 1
Entry-level with Masters; or Bachelors and 0-2 yrs experience
LEVEL 2
Mid-career with Masters and 1-2 yrs experience; or Bachelors and 2-4 yrs experience
LEVEL 3
Mid- to late-career with Masters and 2- 4 yrs experience; Bachelors and 3-5 yrs experience

FOR MANAGER Job Codes

LEVEL 1
First-time manager with Masters and 5+ years of relevant experience; or Bachelors with at least 1-2 yrs supervisory experience and 5+ years of relevant experience
LEVEL 2
Manager with Masters and 5+ years of relevant experience; or Bachelors with at least 1-2 yrs supervisory experience and 5+ years of relevant experience
LEVEL 3
Masters with 2+ yrs supervisory experience and 7+ years of relevant experience; or Bachelors with 4+ yrs supervisory experience and 7+ years of relevant experience

Important Dates

Aug. 31, 2022
Drop-in Zoom session for HR Officers and HR representatives
Sept. 1, 2022
All newly created and/or vacated FLSA-exempt positions meeting new EHRA-NF ABF job classification criteria must be filled as EHRA Non-Faculty
Sept. 2, 2022
New EHRA ABF classifications, salary bands and minimum education and experience visible in ConnectCarolina
Dec. 14, 2022
Eligible employees and managers notified.
Jan. 16, 2023
90-day conversion election period for eligible employees begins
Jan. 19, 2023
First info sessions for eligible employees, managers and HR reps
Jan. 31, 2023
Second info session for eligible employees, managers and HR reps
March 29, 2023
Third info session for eligible employees, managers and HR reps
April 16, 2023
90-day conversion election period for eligible employees ends
May 8, 2023
Effective date for employees choosing to convert to EHRA status
May 19, 2023
Last SHRA payday for converting employees
May 31, 2023
First EHRA-NF payday for converting employees
TBD
Second election period

 

What’s next?

  • Watch for an email from OHR notifying eligible employees and managers about information session dates and times.
  • Attend an information session.
  • Access the online ABF conversion site via ConnectCarolina Self Service from Jan. 16, 2023 through April 16, 2023, to complete the online election affirming voluntary decision to convert to EHRA IRIT or to remain SHRA.
  • For employees choosing to convert to EHRA employment status, the effective date will be May 8, 2023.

 

Questions?

For questions regarding the SHRA to EHRA ABF conversion process, please email ehranf@unc.edu.