Accounting Manager (Staff Associate)

About Framingham State University:

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose - meeting a public need to promote the public good.  At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry.  FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs and, while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them.  Public need continues to evolve and FSU right along with it.  Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, and working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham. FSU is unapologetically a public institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs, in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast. 

At FSU, we are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of antiracism, encouraging a challenging yet collaborative learning environment, and providing culturally relevant education. FSU is designated as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and also belongs to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence community, providing national leadership in science education and exploring strategies that will lead to more inclusive science education. We are honored that our commitment earned FSU six Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and professional students, offers 39 undergraduate majors, and enrolls 41% BIPOC students in our undergraduate programs.  Ideally situated between Boston and Worcester, FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers .

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Staff Associate supports the Assistant Controller (Director) and / or the Controller (Executive Director) with the operation, requirements and financial management of the University Business Office. The position hires, evaluates, manages, and trains a general accounting staff of 3 accountants and also may assist in the hiring of other employees in the Business and/or Student Accounts Offices.

This position provides oversight to the University's general accounting and revenue collection area. Critical components of this position are the oversight & management of ongoing processing/recording, reconciliation, and review/approval of various accounting related to university revenues, bank and general ledger reconciliations, student refunds, Foundation revenue recording and billing, Student Accounts (SA) billing/discount/financial aid/deposit accounts, Admissions & other cashiering sessions & the related review of SA: Finance transactions, maintenance of Banner & TouchNet systems, FSU petty cash funds. Liaison with the Student Accounts, Continuing Education, and Admissions Offices regarding interactions between the Student Accounts and Student modules and the Finance module etc.

This position reviews & approves the appropriate data entry and reconciliation of FSU 901 Reporting to MMARS; confirms University revenue, expenses, fund balances, transfers, and receivables with MMARS and other State Administrative systems along with overseeing the daily operation of these systems. The position prepares complex or highly complicated reconciliations and/or financial reports.  It develops, recommends, and/or assists in the writing, revision, improvement, implementation, auditing, and training of University-wide and Business Office internal controls and procedures. It also provides information supporting the fiscal year opening and closing, prepares data and responds to follow-up inquiries of University audits. It coordinates between the Business Office and the IT Department with respect to the design, implementation and improvement of administrative procedures along with daily operations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

This position reports to the Assistant Controller. General direction, guidance and support are provided by the Assistant Controller and the Controller.  Other management positions in the department and the Student Accounts area also provide support in specified areas of work assignment.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

This position supervisors (two) Accountant I positions and (one) Accountant II position.

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly manages 3 General Accounting accountants and may indirectly manage other accounting staff in the Assistant Controller's absence;
• Hires, evaluates, manages workflow and workload, provides training, cross-training, and external training recommendations, and other staffing oversight responsibilities. Provides backup coverage for staff short-term vacancies / absences.
• Reviews & approves numerous GL reconciliations prepared by accounting staff; ensures all related transactions are accurately reflected in Banner.  Provide guidance & problem resolution.  Reconciliation areas include:
  • Accounts related to student revenues, financial aid, & payments, collected through NelNet, TouchNet, & various cashiering.
  • Student Health Insurance student deposits & related vendor payments
  • Miscellaneous revenue recognition
  • Due to/from Framingham State University Foundation (FSUF)
  • Bank, Petty Cash & Cash Advance accounts
  • Various clearing, asset, and liability accounts.
• Ensures adherence to monthly, quarterly, and annual closing deadlines established by Assistant Controller and Controller.
• Provides guidance & problem resolution related to various accounting functions performed by accounting staff; ensures all related transactions are accurately reflected in Banner, MMARS, bank accounts, etc.  Functional areas include:
  • Student and miscellaneous revenue processing; ensure deposits recorded accurately & timely.
  • Student refunds in paper & electronic checks & the related cancellations & reissues.
  • Accounting / processing of all FSUF gift payment batches & feeds to Finance; billing FSUF for funds due to the University.
  • Positive Pay uploads to the bank, Positive Pay exceptions (fraud detection etc.), online credit card and ach payment processes.
• Manages logistics and relationships with FSU's bank services, merchant services, off-campus merchant services, electronic payment gateway, etc.  Implements new services, accounts, or system upgrades with these providers (e.g. Off-campus merchant implementation, change in merchant services platform, etc.).
• Develops procedures, audit schedules, training protocols & provides training for all petty cash accounts. 
• Liaison with the Student Accounts (SA), Financial Aid (FA), Continuing Education, and Admissions Offices regarding interactions between the Student Accounts and Student modules and the Finance module; Recommends enhancements, investigates and resolves problems, and implements required changes.
  • Works collaboratively with the SA and FA management to review and resolve all variances as identified through either the reconciliation of the subledger to the general ledger, non-federal financial aid analyses, nightly jobs, and/or other analyses / reconciliations.
  • Review and /or propose the creation of and / or modifications to all detail codes to ensure proper financial accounting & reporting.
  • Review and resolve any issues detected in the nightly finance & student jobs / reports.
  • Prepares complex or highly complicated account reconciliations and / or financial reports in collaboration with or review by the Assistant Controller. 
• Review & approve / prepare additional Accounting and Financial Reporting requirements as required, including but not limited to:
  • Assisting in the fiscal year opening and closing; manages the preparation, review and submission of data to the University's external audit firm and responds to follow up questions,
  • Coordinating between the Business Office and the IT Department with respect to the design, implementation and improvement of administrative systems & procedures & related reports along with daily operations,
  • Evaluating, developing, recommending, and implementing internal financial controls and methodologies utilized to ensure the financial integrity of the general ledger asset and liability accounts; develops and recommends policies and procedures; develops, implements, and oversees training materials / programs for both business office and university staff regarding same 
  • Other duties as assigned.                                        
• Accountable for ensuring that affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work schedule is Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm.  Night and/or weekend work may be required during peak periods such as year-end audit.  Telework opportunity available for two days per week after the probationary period with supervisory approval.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field
• 3-5 years of relevant progressive accounting experience including supervisory experience
• Knowledge of  GAAP, GASB, State and Federal policies, procedures and systems.
• High level of integrity, strong understanding of accounting principles and ability to monitor and ensure compliance.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to work effectively with all University academic and administrative departments and to express oneself in oral and written communications, finding solutions to problems, attention to detail, strong interpersonal, managerial, and problem resolution skills as well as the ability to multi-task in a high volume, fast-paced environment. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five years of supervisory experience of three or more employees in the accounting or finance area.
• Knowledge and experience in University Business Office and accounting operations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft applications such as Excel, Access, Word and Power Point.
• Experience in Higher Education Finance and Accounts Receivable Systems as well as payment gateway systems.
• Bi-lingual speaking and writing skills, with special preference to Spanish and / or Portuguese.

Substitutions:

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position in the Association of Professional Administrators (APA) bargaining unit with a union title of Staff Associate. The starting salary range is $75,000-82,000.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity employer.

Members of underrepresented or minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter,
• Resume/CV,
• Equity and Inclusion Statement*,
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

*The Equity and Inclusion Statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss professional skills, experience and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university's efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidate application materials.

For best consideration, please submit application materials by April 5, 2024. The review of applications may continue beyond that date and until the position is filled, at the discretion of the search committee.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or [email protected] .