Accounting Specialist

University of Kansas•Lawrence, KS

About The Position

This professional Accounting Specialist position is responsible for posting payment transactions, maintaining segregated funds, balancing worksheets, completing logs, filing and scanning documentation, and preparing daily deposits. The role identifies and resolves account discrepancies and handles monthly reports, outside domestic scholarships, student account billing, late-fee posting, pre-collection activity, checks, seat deposits, prepayments, bankruptcy matters, campus-based loans, and verification of student account documents. The position also serves as the primary backup for KUID card production. The employee maintains internal controls, researches and analyzes data, uses Excel and database queries extensively, coordinates projects, and develops and prepares reports. The position requires compliance with federal and state laws, University of Kansas policies, NCAA and departmental procedures, and cash-management guidelines. The employee is expected to provide quality customer service, use good judgment, and apply concentration, planning, and coordination to deliver accurate and timely results. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applicants must submit a cover letter describing how they meet the required and preferred qualifications, a resume, and a list of three professional references. Application review begins November 30 and continues until a qualified applicant pool is identified.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalency and four years of relevant experience, or a bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
Two years of cashiering or cash-handling experience.
Three years of customer-service experience, including public, internal, phone, or face-to-face service.
Three years of professional accounting, accounts receivable or billing, collections, and/or auditing experience.
At least one year of data-entry experience with a high degree of accuracy.
At least one year of experience using accounting and financial-reporting systems.
At least one year of experience using Excel spreadsheets, including creating, maintaining, and using formulas.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or another related field.
Excellent written communication skills, as demonstrated in application materials.
Ability to provide professional customer service, exercise good judgment, and produce accurate and timely results.
Ability to interpret and comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Experience with financial procedures and/or ability to analyze and detect discrepancies.
Experience with PeopleSoft Student Financials or Oracle Financials Cloud.
Experience with MS Office and PC software applications, including document, spreadsheet, calendar, and task applications.

Responsibilities

Process daily university deposits and payments, using dual control for secured drop boxes, in-person payments, couriered funds, and daily closing.
Verify cash, check, and credit-card amounts; record activity on the Daily Drop Box Log; accurately post transactions into Campus Solutions and student financials; and provide receipts for in-person transactions.
Complete daily closing, including electronic check processing, bank deposits, deposit slips, end-of-day cash counts, and scanning cashiering documentation.
Review daily cashiering activity and maintain monthly Cashier Activity, Lockbox & Batch, and Deposit reports.
Post student organization deposits weekly and ensure amounts and account codes are properly recorded in spreadsheets.
Review system reports for accounts that may qualify to have an NSF indicator removed and communicate with management about accounts that may require a Bursar hold.
Track, reconcile, and report seat deposits; coordinate with departments to post deposits to appropriate student accounts and track deposits reapplied to future terms.
Gather Non-Resident Alien information, set up international student scholarship files, evaluate student documentation, and assist with notifications, tuition and fee calculations, taxation, and state reporting.
Process monthly student financials e-bill notifications and review accounts for possible errors before notifications are sent.
Evaluate NPY Hold Release Requests, prepare supporting forms and files for review, and follow up with students about hold-release eligibility or payment requirements.
Serve as the primary backup for KUID card production and assist with card production, end-of-day reporting, and billing.
Assist management with developing and communicating more efficient processes; post monthly late-payment fees and work with FAS during critical months.
Track office email volumes, monitor open group posts in Campus Solutions and follow up with departments, and monitor and create Form 8300 as needed.
Communicate with customers and departments in person, by phone, and by email; research accounts and explain charges, credits, service indicators, and message screens.
Respond to office emails through Outlook and Hawkhelp, interpret Enroll & Pay student account activity, and provide timely, accurate, professional customer service.
Follow applicable federal, state, industry, University, Financial Services, and SAR rules, laws, policies, and procedures.
Use office systems and participate in testing data for new systems, upgrades, and new functions.
Assist with incoming mail distribution, maintain department calendars and logs, and represent the SAR’s Office at student orientation or university information activities.
Maintain a harmonious work environment, attend training as requested, and perform other duties as assigned.