Accountant I

Post Date: 06-15-2022
Deadline: 02-23-2023
Job No.: 789298
Department: University Advancement
Type: Administrative Professional
Salary Range: Negotiable

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Description

The MSU Alumni Office’s mission is to build lifelong enrichment for our nearly 650,000 alumni throughout the world.  We work to celebrate traditions, strengthen the Spartan network, provide experiences that enrich people professionally and personally, and encourage service to MSU and the communities in which Spartans live and work.

The Accountant I will provide accounting controls for the Michigan State University Alumni Office and Annual Giving; serve as fiscal officer, prepare, examine and analyze accounting records, financial statements or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness and conformance to University business procedures and accounting standards; develop, implement, modify, and document recordkeeping and accounting systems; maintain fund ledgers; make use of Enterprise Business Systems (EBS) and other appropriate computer technology; prepare reports that compare budgeted costs to actual costs; assist in analyzing business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations to project future revenues and expenses or to provide advice; process federal unrelated business income tax (UBIT); process purchase orders, travel reimbursements, sponsorships and advertising revenues, invoices, deposits; maintain procurement card records and purchase orders.  Serve as the unit PCI Steward and eCommerce (Transact Payments (Cashnet) and Eventbrite) systems administrator. Trains staff on financial policies and procedures. The position supports an office that is fast paced and requires working nights and weekends based on operational needs.

Reporting to the Senior Director Administration & Sparty Mascot Program, key responsibilities of this support role include, but are not limited to the following:

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Account Management

• Manages accounts receivables and payables across the MSU Alumni and Annual Giving Offices, 30 accounts, for multiple business areas.
• Reviews and reconciles travel advances and travel reimbursements for domestic and international travel.
• Reviews and reconciles all procurement cards (procurement, meeting planner and travel) transactions.
• Reconciles event registrations with credit card statements to ensure accuracy in funds received.  Processes refunds and over-payments.
• Reviews and reconciles fund ledgers to ensure appropriate coding and account use.
• Monitors and reconciles service billings and recommends account designation changes.
• Serves as unit PCI Steward.
• Serves as unit systems administrator for Transact Payments (Cashnet) and Eventbrite.

Data Entry 

• Prepare and input purchase orders against requisition lists to ensure orders exist, delivery dates are accurate, and vendor product codes are correction.
• Enters information into computers to maintain budget systems and status reports.

 Report Preparation 

• Assists in development of budget and financial reports.

 Cash Handling 

• Receives and deposits funds to monitor and maintain accounts.  Includes sponsorships and royalties.

Payroll Processing 

• Processes student and temp/on-call payroll.

 Communications 

• Responds to inquiries from internal and external sources and review accounting transactions to locate and resolve discrepancies.
• Utilize interpersonal communication skills to address a wide range of questions from departmental personnel regarding income and expenses.

Miscellaneous Duties 

• On behalf of the MSU Alumni Office and Annual Giving, provides excellent customer service, including but not limited to interacting with customers, answering the telephone efficiently and courteously for incoming calls; route calls to proper person, taking accurate and thorough messages to provide information to appropriate personnel in a timely matter.
• Assist in coordinating event logistics and reservations.
• Requisitions office supplies, cleans and maintains office equipment and other related tasks.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

INTERACTS WITH

• University Departments/Purchasing/Controllers Office/Payroll Office – in order to resolve discrepancies, provide accounting assistance and exchange information.
• Supervisor - in order to exchange information, receive assignments and discuss work progress.
• Colleagues within University Advancement, the MSU Alumni Office, Annual Giving and Advancement Services - in order to service the fundraising and advancement mission of the division.

Qualifications

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Accounting; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in financial statement and report preparation, general ledger accounting and budgeting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience as unit Fiscal Officer for multiple accounts
• Ability to understand the University’s accounting system.
• Familiarity with and an awareness of the laws and regulations that apply to an accounting function and are required to ensure compliance.
• Ability to exercise judgement in the processing and resolution of non-routine accounting matters while assuming responsibility for those decisions.

How to apply

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Patricia Karam, Director of Recruitment at karampat@msu.edu. 

All candidates must submit an application, resume, and cover letter through the Michigan State University Human Resources web-based system, the URL for this website is careers.msu.edu.  Please indicate the position number 789298 when submitting your application.

Screening of applicants will continue until the position is filled.

 

MSU is committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.  The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.