Accounting Assistant

University System of Georgia; Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan (Teachers Retirement/或

Paid holidays

Vacation time

Sick leave

Tuition Assistance Program

Job summary

Columbus State University is seeking an Accounting Assistant for the Accounts Payable section within Business and Finance. The role processes payments for contracts, leases, and purchase orders, delivering accurate financial records and high-level customer support to internal departments and external vendors.

The position requires attention to detail, independence, and knowledge of university financial systems, offering full benefits with a salary around $32,882–$35,493 annually.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.
• 1–2 years in accounting or bookkeeping preferred.

Responsibilities

• Process vendor invoices and verify accuracy.
• Manage payment schedules and AP files.
• Enter transactions into accounting software and maintain records.

Skills

Excel skills

Accounting software

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma

Associate's degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Job description

Great universities inspire the very best in us. They nurture new ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative problem-solving. They challenge students to discover their passions - and to turn those passions into thriving careers that improve our world.

Columbus State University is exactly that kind of place. With exceptional facilities, ideal class sizes, and unique field experiences, our students have room to create. Here, every faculty and staff member is part of the educational process, actively mentoring students and championing each new step in their journey.

Located just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, CSU is part of the University System of Georgia and offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays (if applicable). Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program.

Department Information

Accounting Services

Job Summary

This position provides advanced system knowledge and technical support for the Accounts Payable section within the Business and Finance Division. As Columbus State University continues to grow, this role plays a key part in managing the increasing workload and ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of AP processes.; Employees in this position hold primary responsibility for processing payments related to institutional contracts, leases, construction projects, and purchase orders for professional or contractual services.; The role requires a high level of independence, accuracy, and understanding of university financial systems and procedures.; In addition, the position delivers advanced customer support and serves as a critical liaison among Business and Finance, Purchasing, Budget, Facilities Planning, and a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.; This includes faculty, staff, vendors, contractors, and other institutional partners.; Provides support for additional accounting tasks when required.

Responsibilities

Significant Duties and Responsibilities include: The Accounting Assistant supports the finance department by performing daily accounting and administrative tasks.; This role helps ensure accurate financial recordkeeping, timely processing of transactions, and overall efficiency within the accounting function.; The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable working with numbers and financial software.; Process vendor invoices, verify accuracy, manage payment schedules, and maintain AP files.; Enter financial transactions into accounting software and maintain organized, up-to-date financial records.; Organize and maintain digital and physical financial files for audits and internal reviews.; Provide general administrative support such as filing, document preparation, and communication with suppliers or clients.; Research payment information to provide updates to departments and suppliers.; Work Environment: Typical office environment.; Works closely with the Finance team and Purchasing Department and may interact with vendors.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications include: High school diploma required

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications include: Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.; 1 - 2 years in an accounting or bookkeeping role preferred.

Proposed Salary

The proposed annualized salary range for this position is $32,882- $35,493 and includes full benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities include: Proficiency with accounting software.; Strong Excel skills.; Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy.; Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.; Good communication and interpersonal skills.; Strong problem-solving abilities and willingness to learn.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact Christina Wiggill-Miles, Hiring Manager, via email at [e-mail].

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect.These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards.More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .

• Excellence: Actively engaging outstanding methods in teaching, academic discovery, creative pursuits, student success, cultural enrichment and the overall campus community.
• Creativity: Pursuing distinction through inquiry and innovation, challenging convention and focusing on solutions.
• Engagement: Dynamic civic involvement and participation of students, faculty, staff and alumni in the university experience.
• Sustainability: Advancing fiscal responsibility, well-being, innovation, lifelong learning and environmental stewardship.
• Inclusion: Cultivating and championing a campus environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds, ideas, perspectives and practices.
• Servant Leadership: Leading through ethical empowerment and service.

Conditions of Employment

All selected candidates are required to submit and successfully pass a background investigation to include reference checks and verification of academic credentials (if applicable). Other additional requirements may be required based upon specific position duties:

• A credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage;
• Pre-employment drug testing for positions with high-risk responsibilities.
• Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive a Columbus State University fleet vehicle or other vehicle designated as a fleet vehicle. A successful drug screening will be required as a condition of employment randomly thereafter.

*Applicants for positions of trust may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. *

For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.

All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond. Additionally, all members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Columbus State University is proud to be an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity institution. It is the policy of our institution to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.

This position has financial responsibilities.

This position will not be required to drive.

This role is considered a position of trust.

This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

This position will not travel

• Position of Trust + Credit