Accountant III - Budget & Treasury/AP

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.

Please review the official title Accountant III classification specification.

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The Accountant III is responsible for general ledger account reconciliations; analyze, review, reconcile and/or prepare journal entries for monthly/quarterly/annual university investment results for all cash investments; assist in the development of the Annual University Budget; assist university departments with budget management inquiry, research and modification of the budget; supervision of three (3) Accountant I accounts payable staff members; review and process cash disbursements (A/P, S/A, Manual Checks); monitor certain complex vendor contracts and related A/P invoices; assist with the recording, monitoring, and reconciliation of fixed assets and capital debt of the university; initiate bank transfers and wires. Conduct post-award accounting and reporting for research grants. Assist in examining and/or revising or implementing department controls, procedures and processes; assisting in the fiscal year closing, auditing and budgeting process; create financial reports using Ellucian's Banner Finance Higher Education software, Microsoft Excel and Argos reporting software.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Director, Budget & Treasury Services

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Accountant I

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform general ledger account reconciliations for several accounts on a monthly basis.
• Supervise the accounts payable functions of the university.
• Interpret guidelines and procedures and provide guidance regarding general/functional questions of the Accounts Payable staff accountants and the general user community of FSU.
• Coordinate the Accounts Payable with the Student Accounts departments. Manage all cash disbursements both in the Bank of America CashPro system and recording same in the Banner Finance system for the university.
• Grants Management duties to include pre-award budget analysis, monthly monitoring of the grants activities for compliance with the grantor requirements and scope of the award, send 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.
• Act as the permanent accounts payable back-up to the A/P accountants during vacation, personal time, sick days and other peak times.
• Assist in the analysis, compilation and entry of data into MMARS (State Accounting System) for research grants and capital projects and programs of the university. Review and / or compute the amount of surplus funds to be returned to state, federal or private grantors.
• Assist in the development of tools and processes to collect the annual budget information of the University and for the upload of said data into the Banner Finance System in a timely and orderly manner. Prepare and verify departmental budgets or evaluate budget modification requests for Division VP approvals based upon Department Chair estimates.
• Assist University departmental managers with inquiries and support relative to budgets and budget modification as needed.
• Monitor and analyze complex invoices received by the University accounts payable office with special emphasis on utilities, food service and capital acquisitions. Confer with vendors to explain state or university rules, policies, and accounting procedures governing payments and related financial transactions.
• Develop, analyze, and prepare all investment accounting related analysis and journal vouchers for the University.
• Responsible for the review, analysis and reporting of the age of accounts payable owed by the University.
• Initiate and monitor all aspects of bank transfers, wires and manual checks in support of University payments.
• Assist in the accounting, reconciliation, & reporting of fixed assets acquired by and disposed from the University.
• Assist in the accounting, reconciliation, & reporting of capital debt owed by the University.
• Assist in the fiscal year closing process and compilation of information needed for audits.
• Communicate with and assist University departments through email and telephone on accounting, budgeting and other financial matters.
• Create financial reports for management using Microsoft Excel and the Argos reporting software; coordinate the scanning of documents using the Banner AppXtender module.
• Attend trainings as required.
• Assist in all areas of the Business Office as needed.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Assist in the implementation of new technologies to improve administrative processes; assist in the drafting, reviewing, improving and implementation of accounting policies, procedures, and internal control processes.
• Perform bank transactions such as cash deposits, petty cash replenishments, and other bank transactions as required at the university's local bank branch.
• Other special projects or duties as assigned including, but not limited to, providing direct support and / or participation in activities related to strategic university enrollment initiatives.
• Reliable and consistent attendance and punctuality are expected for this position.

WORKING CONDITIONS/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8:45am - 5:00pm.

Requirements:

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in accounting or auditing, of which at least (B) one year must have been in a supervisory, administrative or managerial capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. An Associate's degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*

II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*

III. A Graduate degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for the required experience. *Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Additional qualifications required at hire for Accountant III and higher positions:

Applicants must have the ability to give written and oral instructions in a precise and understandable manner.
Applicants must have the ability to supervise, including determining training needs, evaluating work and determining the need for disciplinary action.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors or advanced degree with a major in Accounting and / or Finance.
• Five years of experience in the accounting/finance area.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Knowledge of and experience in the finance, accounts payable, and / or purchasing module of the Ellucian Higher Education Banner Finance administrative software system.
• Knowledge of and experience in accounting/finance sector of higher education.
• Knowledge of and experience with MMARS.
• Ability to think and work independently and in a team setting, to be detail oriented, meet deadlines and willing to learn new computer applications.
• Ability to accurately count and record cash, check and credit card transactions.
• Excellent analytical, data entry, organizational, and oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of general accounting and budgeting concepts.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with faculty, staff and financial institutions.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, non-exempt, benefits-eligible position in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) bargaining unit with a title of Accountant III. The bi-weekly pay rate is $1,999.39 (grade 18, step 1).

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 campus buildings.

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,
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

For best consideration, application materials must be received by May 10, 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.

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