Accounting Assistant III

*In order to apply for this position, please attach a resume and cover letter.*

Position Summary

The Accounting Assistant III applies advanced skills to provide complex accounting support to the Department of Computer Science (CS). The duties and tasks for this position include: reviewing, processing and reconciling invoices and expenses; providing detailed expenditure and budgetary reports to the Department Chair and Executive Administrator; assisting with budget management and planning; and balancing Faculty Project funds to enable the Finance Specialist II to review and submit summary reports. The Accounting Assistant III will also be the back-up for the Proposal Specialist III, coordinating the research proposal process and other requests for funding to ensure the inclusion of all elements required for proposal submission and compliance with agency policies. This person will also be the back-up for our Finance Specialist I, working with the Dean’s office to hire students in IO as TA’s for classes.

Essential Functions

• Reviews, processes and reconciles invoices and expenses
• Prepares detailed expenditure and budgetary reports
• Analyzes information and maintains a database of designated revenue transaction and tax information
• May serve as the purchase agent
• Reviews and interprets legal documents for financial terms and conditions
• May assist in budget proposal preparation
• Prepares reports on department expenses and forecasts

Required Qualifications

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• Five years of relevant work experience
• Excellent knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, email, database software programs to complete work assignments
• Excellent attention to detail

Substitutions

• Additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted for the required experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five years of experience in a higher education environment with proficiency in organizational financial management.
• Experience in an academic department with proposal submission and/or post-award management activities.
• Management of grants/contracts preparation and submission processes with federal/state agencies and exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to perform tasks without direct supervision.
• Experience with university policies and procedures is also highly desirable.
• Familiarity with on-line grant proposal submission process (FastLane, Grants.gov, NSPIRES) and an integrated financial system (e.g. ImagineOne (IO), PeopleSoft, SAP).
• Utilization of database systems and software such as Filemaker Pro, spreadsheets (Excel), and strong written and verbal communication skills to write clear, concise correspondence on a wide range of topics.
• Working knowledge of industrial interactions and collaborations, specifically in higher education.

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies