Accounting Specialist

University of Kansas, United States

Updated: about 2 years ago
Location: Lawrence, KANSAS
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

20762BR

Strong Hall SSC


Position Overview

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm.

The day-to-day finance activities in the SSC will be conducted by Accountants and Accounting Specialists. These positions will be responsible for working with assigned units, departments and centers as well as the SSC Finance Manager and/or Director to perform financial business activities in an environment of excellent client service. The positions will use accounting skills to perform financial support functions for the departments, provide departments with accurate and timely information to make decisions, and ensure efficient transaction processing.

The SSC Accounting Specialist will provide timely and professional services that support or enhance the administrative and service goals of the units served. The SSC Accounting Specialist will report to the SSC Finance Manager or SSC Accountant, and will be responsible for transaction processing for the units served.


Job Description

60% Responsible for purchasing and resource management, following University, KUCR and Endowment guidelines and regulations; including documentation:

  • Processes payments through financial systems and determines appropriate account and funding for payment.
  • Develops unit processes to ensure that appropriate funding sources are used and that resources are available for purchases; audits and reviews department/center procurement card purchases to ensure procedures for compliance with University, Endowment and KUCR accounting systems are followed.
  • Manages travel arrangements and reimbursements; reviews all travel requests to ensure that expenditures and reimbursements are in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations; processes payments and reimbursements as appropriate.
  • Determines and follows university purchasing and bid procedures, contracts, and federal regulations to ensure appropriate purchases are made.
  • Enters or approves program expenditures with payments in PeopleSoft Financials, KUPPS and KU Endowment Association (as delegated by the areas served).
  • Works with the Finance Manager to resolve problems related to billing errors, non-receipt of invoices and discrepancies between statements and records.
  • Verifies scholarship recipients, processes posting forms to Financial Aid and Scholarship and provides data and reports to the Chair or Director in support the department’s scholarship process.
    • 30%  For each department/center served, responsible for initiating, administering and reporting on all fiscal operations for the units that you are assigned to; including, but not limited to:
  • Directs and participates in day-to-day fiscal operations such as cost accounting, revenue analysis or other specialized activities; ensures compliance with established University, Endowment and KUCR accounting principles, policies and objectives.
  • Responsible for monitoring departmental expenses and processing cost transfers when needed; ensures that expenditures follow all University and Endowment processes and procedures; identifies discrepancies to supervisor and unit Director/Chair.
  • Works with the Finance Manager to inform and assist the Director/Chair with operational needs and related budgetary impact.
  • Works with the Finance Manager to provide the Director/Chair with financial information to assist in the development of the annual operating budget.
  • Works with the Finance Manager to provide non-standard reports and statements such as cash forecasts reflecting the interrelation of accounting, cost budgeting, program costs or comparable information; identify trends or deviation from standards; evaluate and predict the effects of changes on operational programs/systems; identify management needs and refine account structure or reports accordingly.
  • Gathers data for and prepares budgetary, statistical, reconciliation and other requested reports for leadership and SSC Director and Finance Manager.
  • Monitors accounts receivable, revenues and expenses and compares balances to the annual budget. 
  • Works with the Finance Manager to monitor salary lines for regular and temporary employees; complete projection analysis regarding budget vs. expenditures for supervisor and director and make suggestions on reallocation of available shrinkage dollars.
  • Escalates questions as appropriate to the SSC Finance Manager and/or the Chair/Director.
    • 10% Other SSC Responsibilities
  • Coordinates with central finance on the interpretation and communication of finance policies, procedures, and programs.
  • Reviews and recommends changes to department and SSC procedures to ensure compliance with policy; prepares and updates procedural manuals and related instructional materials.
  • Serves as a resource to department staff and faculty to ensure compliance with policy.
  • Participates in department meetings and events to maintain knowledge of the department and relationship with the faculty and staff.
  • Attends regular meetings, training sessions and professional development workshops/seminars to keep current on policies and procedures relevant to position responsibilities, as requested and approved by the SSC Finance Manager.

    • Position Requirements

  • This position will have a hybrid work arrangement. Incumbent will work remotely and on campus based on a set departmental schedule.

    • Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or a related field OR Bachelor's degree and two years of relevant experience OR High School Diploma or GED and four years of relevant experience.
  • Computer skills in a PC/Windows environment including MS Word and MS Excel as demonstrated by application materials and previous experience.
  • Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail as demonstrated by application materials.

    • Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration or related field.
  • Experience using a financial ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning system), such as PS Financials.
  • Experience with fund accounting.
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Informational writing experience with program and training materials through mediums such as the web, social media, brochures, manuals.
  • Ability to work in a team environment, be flexible and accountable, manage conflicting responsibilities, prioritize tasks and consistently meet deadlines.

    • Contact Information to Applicants

    Chris Bell, [email protected]


    Additional Candidate Instruction

    A complete application includes:

  • Cover letter addressing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
  • Resume.
  • Contact information for three professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor).
  • Completion of the online application.

    • This search has been extended to allow for additional applicants to apply.  The new application review date is January 31, 2022 and applications will continue to be reviewed until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.


    Advertised Salary Range

    Starts at $40,000


    Application Review Begins

    31-Jan-2022


    Anticipated Start Date

    14-Mar-2022


    Primary Campus

    University of Kansas Lawrence Campus


    Employee Class

    U-Unclassified Professional Staff


    Work Schedule

    Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm


    Job Family

    Administrative Support-KUL


    Work Location Assignment

    Hybrid


    Disclaimer

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information and retaliation in the University's programs and activities. Access to information regarding equal opportunity and diversity worksite posters is available at http://www.humanresources.ku.edu/policies_procedures/category_details/index.aspx?category=8 or you may contact 785-864-4946 or [email protected] for alternate access options.  Any  inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, [email protected], 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY


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