"Accounting Officer"

Job Description

The Accountant is responsible for all facets of accounting services at the Center for International Studies (CIS). This includes responsibility for accounts receivable and payable transactions, reconciliation and verification of accounts, and preparation of budget analysis and cost/revenue projections for Education Abroad and Away programs, International Admissions and Recruitment, International Student and Scholar Services, and the overall department. This position also provides administrative support for the Associate Vice President of Center for International Studies in the overall budget management and serves as the primary liaison between the department and the Business Services Office.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESULTS

• Prepare budget for 20+ semester and intersession/short-term abroad programs in 15+ countries. Analyze and prepare the cost/revenue projection for all existing and new education abroad programs. Review the estimated budgets with newly appointed faculty program directors to consider necessary adjustments based on the recommendations from previous program directors, university tuition and fee changes, foreign currency rate fluctuations and other factors. Develop payment schedules for total student cost for each education abroad program based on the estimated budgets. Process payment for all invoices and active contracts regarding education abroad programs. Review and update on-going overseas accounts and budget needs for active programs, depositing sufficient funds for program expenses. Priority: Essential Percent of Time: 20%
• Maintain accounts for 20+ education abroad programs in 15+ countries. Provide training for 20+ directors annually with on-site program budget management, expenditure procedures and bookkeeping. Maintain a current and accurate balance account for each education abroad program. Monitor education abroad student payment record and funds receivable balance for each student. Process payment for programs to appropriate vendors, universities on behalf of director and or students as well as providing director with an advance to cover appropriate on site expenses. Priority: Essential Percent of Time: 15%
• Advise education abroad students and their parents on program costs and options for financing education abroad program opportunities. Revise and update Center for International Studies Education abroad scholarship information, financial aid, work student opportunities and external scholarships. Meet with education abroad groups to give financial summary and advice. Meet with individual student when requested to provide additional information and financial advice. Priority: Essential Percent of Time: 5%
• Revise and maintain office accounting guidelines and procedures in compliance with university policies. Perform a periodical review of office accounting procedures and guidelines to conduct business and transactions in accordance with policy. Priority: Essential Percent of Time: 5%
• Monitor and update Center for International Education Abroad Accounts. Work with business services along with local and International banks to maintain a current balance of all education abroad accounts. Priority: Essential Percent of Time: 10%
• Process the Center for International Studies Accounts Payable and Account Receivables. Following business office accounting procedures, process purchase orders, prepare 1400 forms and apply student charges regarding program and application fees as well as international students insurance charges. Priority: Essential Percent of Time: 10%
• Monitor and update all M E accounts related to the Center of International Studies. Create annual budget regarding M E account and maintain an updated monthly budget to provide information to the Associate Vice President of International Affairs. Priority: Essential Percent of Time: 10%
• Provide travel expense reimbursement information to department staff, in relations to in state and out of state travel along with special forms information required when travel is international. Inform CIS staff of proper travel expense procedures and support the submission of expense reports and travel forms for reimbursement. Priority: Essential Percent of Time: 10%
• Monitor and process sponsored government and exchange students tuition and third payer agreements according to corresponding contract. Identify exchange students and request tuition waivers as per exchange agreements. Submit third payer invoices to sponsored gov't programs according to contract. Provide the financial cost information needed regarding specific cost to be included in each specific government contract. Priority: Essential Percent of Time: 10%
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner. Priority: Secondary Percent of Time: 5%

Salary Range: $23.98-$34.69/hour

Minimum Qualifications

• 2 years technical accounting experience; a Bachelor's degree can substitute for 1 year experience; an Associate degree can substitute for 6 months experience.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) sufficient to analyze, interpret, and prepare financial information, records, and reports; locate errors; and recommend solutions to procedural or other fiscal problems.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting systems (or comparable), sufficient to query and compile records and reports for use by management, and recognize and reconcile errors or inconsistencies.
• Budgeting experience
• Strong customer service skills; with the ability to seek out sufficient information so that responses are accurate and timely with appropriate follow up.
• Strong math skills sufficient to balance cash receipts, make calculations, and reconcile data in a timely manner.
• Word processing skills sufficient to create professional level business letters.
• Spreadsheet applications skills sufficient to track and monitor accounts, and create reports.

Preferred Qualification

• Knowledge of MnSCU accounting policies and procedures
• Experience with Workday system

Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)

Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Please note that successful applicants must be eligible to work in the United States on or before the effective date of appointment. Eligibility includes being a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, or a foreign national authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employer sponsorship. Employees must maintain work authorization without sponsorship for the duration of their appointment.