Accounting Associate

UM01 University of Maryland College Park (UMCP); United States; On-site; USD 47,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Maryland, College Park is seeking a seasoned bookkeeping specialist to oversee complex accounting clerical tasks, including accounts payable/receivable, postings, reconciliations, payroll, and campus deposits.

You will supervise staff, ensure accurate financial records across campus units, and handle privacy compliant inquiries. A high school diploma or GED and 4 years accounting clerical experience are required, with strong numerical and communication abilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Four years accounting clerical experience.
• Customer service and/or cash handling experience.

Responsibilities

• Performs complex clerical accounting activities such as accounts payable/receivable, posting or reconciling ledgers, payroll, and preparing trial balances.
• Provides primary bookkeeping support for complex accounts across multiple campuses with detailed research and reconciliation.
• Assists accountants or auditors in modifying existing systems or implementing new ones.
• Performs analysis of ledger accounts, verifies amounts, and interprets deviations from standards.
• Supervises bookkeeping activity, ensures accurate journal and ledger entries, and trains staff.
• Researches credit card payment issues and monitors cash-handling procedures.
• Prepares reports using manual and automated systems and monitors for counterfeit indicators.
• Ensures privacy compliance under FERPA, GLBA and related rules in all billing processes.
• Oversees mortgage/loan processing and campus deposit handling as needed.

Skills

Bookkeeping principles

Analytical skills

Cash handling

Privacy compliance

Supervision

Staff training

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement: Under general supervision, supervises complex accounting clerical, bookkeeping, payments receivable & departmental deposit processing or auditing activities. Serves as primary bookkeeping specialist for a major function such as complex multi-grant and contract accounting support, loan processing and payment plan support, or supervises and trains subordinate personnel.

Primary Duties

1. Performs complex clerical activities essential to accounting, such as accounts payable/receivable, payment handling procedures, posting or reconciling ledgers and accounts, processing and disbursing refunds, preparing trial balances, payroll, leave accounting and preparing consolidated reports.
2. Provides primary bookkeeping support services for complex accounts that require regular reports, active monitoring of fund and budget amendments, and/or departmental deposits for multiple campuses. Reconciliation and detailed research to resolve discrepancies including validation of armored car transactions.
3. Assists accountants or auditors in making modifications to existing accounting systems or in the formulation and installation of new systems.
4. Performs analysis of various ledger accounts such as reviewing entries, verifying amounts, monitoring and balance cash funds, comparing and reconciling balances and interpreting trends or deviations from accounting standards.
5. Supervises and monitors the bookkeeping activity of a unit, ensuring details of financial transactions are recorded in journals, ledgers and automated system.
6. Researches and resolves credit card payment issues.
7. Processes loan closing procedures for campus emergency and institutional student loans, verifying identification and completion of the appropriate promissory notes maintaining accurate documentation.
8. Reviews all transactions posted to assigned accounts by ensuring all account activity is recorded, all adjustments are calculated and corrections made.
9. Provides a consistent level of customer service relating to inquiries about payments and processing regarding their billing and registration activity. This requires being aware of and adhering to all privacy rules including the campus provisions for FERPA, Graham Leach Bliley, and approved Red Flag Rules.
10. Prepares a variety of reports using manual and automated systems and equipment, personal computers and related software.
11. Monitors cash and checks to help detect counterfeiting and forgeries.
12. Supervises and trains subordinate personnel, determines work priorities, plans, schedules, assigns and reviews work.

Physical Demands

N/A

Licenses/ Certifications

Minimum QualificationsEDUCATION: High school diploma or GED. EXPERIENCE: Four years accounting clerical experience. Customer service experience and/or cash handling and payment processing experience. OTHER: None.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of bookkeeping principles, mathematical methods and techniques and accounting standards. Skill in performing mathematical computations; in using analytical techniques to reconcile financial data; in reviewing and processing financial documents; in operating calculators, personal computers and related software. The ability to exercise attention to detail in the area of monetary transactions. Ability to understand and explain items within an accounting system. Ability to communicate effectively, to prepare written records and reports; to work independently with little supervision; to supervise and train others in assigned accounting clerical work; to establish and maintain effective work relationships; to operate manual and automated office equipment. Must have the ability to understand the various privacy laws and audit requirements placed on the daily function of the position. OTHER: Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

Conditions of Employment

Additional Job Details Preferences: Analytical problem-solving skills Integrity and discretion when handling confidential information Adaptability in a fast past envirnoment Physical Demands N/A Best Consideration Date: NA

Posting Close Date

8/19/2026

Job Risks

Financial Disclosure Required No. For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

Department and Salary

BMGT-Dean-Office of Finance & Accounting Worker Sub-Type Staff Regular Salary Range $46,736.00 - $56,083.00

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Nonexempt benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authority. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice Resources

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There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm. Please visit the link below to see these available opportunities: Search Firm Managed Vacancies

About the University

The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and 388,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. Located just outside Washington, D.C., we discover and share new knowledge every day through our renowned research enterprise and programs in academics, the arts and athletics. And we are committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation’s first “Do Good” campus.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice Resources

Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online

Search Firm Managed Opportunities

There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm. Please visit the link below to see these available opportunities: Search Firm Managed Opportunities

Contact Information

If you need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at one of the below options: Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Maryland Relay: Dial 711 This contact information cannot be used to inquire about application status.