Staff Associate - A/P , Grants & Accounting

Company Description:

Framingham State University is a vibrant comprehensive liberal arts institution located in the MetroWest suburbs of Boston, which integrates an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs. Founded in 1839, FSU enrolls about 4,000 undergraduates and 1,200 graduate and professional students. FSU offers 35 bachelor's degrees with 55 specialized concentrations, 63 minors, and 26 master's degree programs, in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our community takes pride in empowering student success by providing a superior education, leading research and innovation opportunities, and a strong first-year experience.

At FSU, we are deeply committed to inclusive excellence, encouraging a supportive, diverse and collaborative learning environment, and providing culturally relevant education. We are honored that our commitment earned FSU six Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity and that we are the only public institution in Massachusetts recognized in 2018, 2019, and 2020. 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 encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

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." Principal Bagnall found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH 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, Controller, and / or the Associate VP, Finance & Business Services (AVP) with the operation, requirements and financial management of the University Business Office. The position directly supervises an Accountant III who is responsible for Accounts Payable (AP), and provides indirect support to the AP and General Accounting staff.

Critical components of this position are the accounting oversight & management of state, federal, local, and other grants, maintaining procurement approval queues and users' Banner access, payroll reconciliations, expenditure and revenue reporting (RT/TVs), receivable reporting, tuition remission and retention calculations and accounting, intercept transaction posting, reconciliation, and file downloads/uploads, and the processing of encumbrance and/or expenditure documents in the Commonwealth's accounting system (MMARS). This position is responsible for the ongoing processing/recording, reconciliation, and review / approval of various accounting related transactions affecting university bank and GL account reconciliations, and payroll accounts and funding sources.

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 EXERCISED:

This position directly supervises an Accountant III, and indirectly provides guidance, training & support to various accountants in General Accounting (GA) and Accounts Payable (AP) as well as the guidance & support to FSU Payroll staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

This position reports to the Assistant Controller. General direction, guidance and support are also provided by the Controller and Associate Vice President - Finance & Business Services (AVP). Additionally, external auditors review the work & provide input and / or correction as needed.

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares numerous GL reconciliations ensuring all related transactions are accurately reflected in Banner, MMARS, bank accounts, etc. Provide guidance & problem resolution. Reconciliation areas include: Payroll MMARS: Banner, grant funds, etc.
• Liaison with the Payroll & Budget offices regarding appropriation and / or fund level biweekly payroll transactions & recording, payroll adjustments (LARQ/PRADJ), payroll tax & fringe transactions & allocations; Recommends enhancements, investigates and resolves problems, and implements required changes.
• Responsible for the entry and reconciliation of appropriation / fund level payroll expenses in Banner vs. MMARS.
• Reviews biweekly Payroll funding requests / availability / balances & recommends funding transfers.
• Works collaboratively with ITS and Payroll management / staff to review & resolve all variances identified through either the payroll posting process / systems, nightly jobs, and/or other analyses / reconciliations.
• Acts as Liaison between the business office and ITS to create Argos reports as necessary for use with reconciliation and financial reporting.
• Working closely with the Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs (OGSP), the Grant Principal Investigators (PIs) and the Accountant III, this position is responsible for the timely reporting, accounting, and management of all university grant funds.
• Other Grants Management duties to include pre-award budget analysis, maintaining documentation, monthly monitoring of the grants activities for compliance with the grantor guidelines, requirements, and scope of the award, sending reports to the grant Principal Investigators (PIs) to ensure accuracy, grants reporting and invoicing per the individual grant's guidelines, grant budget set-up in Banner, and close-out activities.
• Supports the Assistant Controller with personnel changes, training, & transitions; as requested provides guidance, training & support to various accountants in General Accounting (GA) and Accounts Payable (AP) as well as the guidance & support to FSU Payroll staff.

Prepare or review additional accounting and financial reporting as required, including but not limited to:

• Assisting in the fiscal year opening and closing; managing the preparation, review and submission of data to the University's external audit firm and responds to follow up questions,
• Preparing reports for the University, the State, & the Federal Government,
• Coordinating between the Business Office and the IT Department with respect to the research, design, implementation and improvement of administrative systems & procedures & related reports along with daily operations,
• Assisting in the writing, revision, improvement, implementation and auditing of University-wide and business Office internal controls, accounting procedures, & methodologies utilized to ensure the financial integrity of the general ledger accounts including the restructuring of the Business Office to accommodate these controls and procedures.
• Assisting in the development, implementation, and oversight of 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:

Occasional nights and / or weekend work may be required during peak periods. Position may be eligible for partial remote work opportunities consistent with the University's Staff Telework Guidelines.

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in a variety of accounting, auditing, budgeting, computerized financial information systems, investment principles, financial analyses and reporting, accounting and financial controls, policies, procedures, and practices.
• Thorough knowledge of State and Federal policies, procedures and systems.
• 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 multitask in a high volume, fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or related field, or a bachelor's degree in another field with significant relevant work experience.
• Experience in and/or knowledge of higher education structures, principles, practices and procedures preferred as well as business office and accounting operations and systems.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft applications such as Excel, Access, Word and Power Point
• Supervisory experience in the accounting or finance area.

Candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Portuguese are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position in the Association of Professional Administrators (APA) bargaining unit with a title of (Staff Associate). The salary range is $71,000 - $84,000.

It is the policy of Framingham State University that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including booster if eligible, before they begin employment. Proof of the COVID-19 vaccine is required of all individuals hired by FSU, to be verified after a verbal offer of employment has been accepted, and before employment begins. Prospective employees may submit a request for a medical or religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement to Human Resources. Furthermore, FSU employees must wear a mask inside certain campus spaces.

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/affirmative action employer.

Members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to 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 (preferred but not required),
• 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 full consideration, application materials must be received by November 28, 2022. However, applications may continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.

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 humanresources@framingham.edu.

PI196103796