"Accountant I"

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Job ID 11990

Location

El Paso, TX

Full/Part Time Full-Time

Regular/Temporary Regular

About UTEP

UTEP is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 24,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 172 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

Position Information

Hiring Department: Student Business Services

Posting End Date: Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends.

FLSA status: Exempt.

Earliest Start Date:  6/30/2024

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter and a list of three references is strongly encouraged.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents’ performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents’ immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver’s license issued by the State where the applicant resides, and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions.

Purpose of Position

Reconcile general ledger accounts with various software, extract general ledger information, compile monthly reconciliation reports by applying principles of accounting to analyze financial information. Provide customer service to students, staff, faculty, employees and other constituents regarding tuition, billing, financial holds, and refunds. Comply with all State and University policies.

Essential Functions

Your natural ability to stay organized, actively listen, have strong communication skills, maintain confidential information and use excellent judgement is essential for this position. The variety of tasks and projects will vary daily, and no day will be the same in this role. You will need to be a team member that can jump in, build relationships, take initiative to solve problems and deliver value driven results.

Customer Service

• Assist students, faculty, staff and constituents by responding to incoming calls, emails and QLess.

• Audit student accounts, as needed, to ensure accuracy of charges/payments.

• Assist with reviewing tuition and fee assessments, tuition loans and payment plans to ensure accuracy.

• Other duties as assigned.

Accountant

• Compile, verify, prepare and analyze monthly reconciliation reports to ensure that business transactions such as funds received/disbursed are accurately accounted for in spreadsheets and databases.

• Reconcile general ledger accounts with various software to compile reconciliation reports and balance sheets.

• Review, research and prepare narrative reports that explain findings and recommendations of inconsistencies in financial entries documents and reports.

• Determine proper handling of financial transactions such as bank wire transfers/ACH.

• Allocate expenditures, encumbrances, receipts and receivables etc. based on reports and schedules.

• Monitor compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and University policy and procedures.

• Assist with various special projects, as needed.

• Prepare purchase orders and vouchers as needed.

• Other duties as assigned.

In The First Week, Expect To

• Onboard, integrate into Student Business Services; meet your colleagues.

• Shadow team members to learn core operations and begin to understand SBS processes.

• Explore the current tools and resources and understand how they are currently used.

In The First Month, Expect To

• Deep dive into the SBS accounting processes.

• Complete required training to gain access to Banner and PeopleSoft.

• Learn the different software that are utilized within our office.

• Understand the various accounting components impacting reconciliations such as detail codes, categories and cost centers.

• Begin to review, verify, analyze monthly reconciliation reports to ensure accuracy of business transactions.

• Begin to handle day-to-day customer inquiries in person, call, email or QLess.

In The First Three Months, Expect To

• Compile, verify and prepare monthly reconciliation reports and balance sheets for designated cost centers.

• Reconcile general ledger accounts with various software to compile reconciliation reports and balance sheets.

• Determine proper handling of financial transactions such as bank wire transfers/ACH.

• Allocate expenditures, encumbrances, receipts and receivables etc. based on reports and schedules.

• Confidently handle day-to-day requests independently.

In The First Six Months, Expect To

• Review, research and prepare narrative reports that explain findings and recommendations of inconsistencies in financial entries documents and reports.

• Monitor compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and University policy and procedures.

• Reflect on your observations since you started and identify where there are additional areas for improvement.

• Be viewed as a trusted resource throughout UTEP..

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or degree in business administration with 15 credit hours in accounting from four-year College or university.

and

Experience: One (1) year prior accounting experience. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced experience in Microsoft Excel, Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems.

Experience with PeopleSoft.

Bilingual (English, Spanish).

2-5 years of prior accounting experience.

Additional Information

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand and walk. The employee must regularly sit; use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must lift and move up to 10 pounds.

The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.

In keeping with its access, excellence and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.