Accounting Associate IV

Montana State University; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

TechLink, a nationally recognized technology transfer center at Montana State University, seeks an Accounting Associate IV to provide direct financial and accounting support within a fast-paced office environment.

The role involves processing invoices and contracts, ensuring compliance, managing procurement transactions, and preparing detailed fiscal analyses for various reporting requirements. Strong MSU systems experience and meticulous attention to detail are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Progressively responsible experience in accounting or related field.
• Demonstrated experience using personal computers and various software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Internet.
• Knowledge of university systems to include financial, procurement and purchasing cards.

Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate invoices and contracts as they are received via a TechLink Finance Team shared email account, determine compliance with MSU and internal policies and procedures and process payment in the MSU SmartBuy system with appropriate documentation and assigning necessary approval authority.
• Research and resolve accounting problems and discrepancies while ensuring fiscal compliance with accounting procedures, expenditures and other requirements.
• Coordinate and process procurement transactions in accordance with university, federal, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Compile, format, analyze and extract fiscal and contract data for TechLink’s Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIA) and other reporting requirements using CatBooks, Banner, SmartSheet, MSU SmartBuy, Chrome River and other systems.
• Submit all departmental Electronic Personnel Action Forms (EPAF), including new hires, terminations, and funding distribution changes while ensuring alignment with the MSU Time and Effort reporting system.
• Serve as account manager for a high volume of purchasing card transactions in Chrome River.
• Manage departmental travel including processing pre-approvals, training new personnel about MSU Travel procedures, and processing Chrome River reports.
• Oversee and execute arrangements for events, the annual federal sponsor program review meeting and on-going department meetings including securing and arranging the meeting room, arranging catering, and establishing room blocks for lodging.
• Oversee the daily functions and services of the department including managing procurement of office-related items such as supplies, equipment, furniture and the maintenance of equipment.
• Initiate and manage office related projects such as remodels, maintenance and repairs, working to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
• Working knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and university regulations governing research funding is required. While this area of expertise is narrowly focused, if successful the impact on TechLink is the ability to increase funding along with enhanced compliance with relevant rules and regulations.
• Serves as departmental liaison with Fiscal Shared Services for accounting services.

Skills

Accounting basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or equivalent

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Internet

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27143

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Great opportunity for a dynamic candidate with exceptional multi-tasking and organizational skills to work for a nationally recognized technology transfer center at Montana State University ( MSU ). The Accounting Associate IV position will provide direct financial and accounting support to a fast-paced office within an exciting environment.

Position Number

Position Number 4N1197

Department

Division

Division Office of Research and Economic Development

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Classified

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary Starting at $25.04 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type

Contract Type Classified Hourly

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

TechLink is a nationally recognized technology transfer center at Montana State University ( MSU ), established in 1996. Since 1999, TechLink has served as the primary, nationally focused "partnership intermediary” for the US Department of Defense (DoD), helping the DoD to develop productive technology partnerships with US industry, primarily small businesses. In 2019, TechLink began providing the same service to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as its first-ever partnership intermediary. The current program includes three major lines of effort: Technology Transfer (T2) Partnership activities; T2 Impact assessment and return on investment analysis reporting; and T2 Training via TechLink’s Technology Transfer University (T2U). Supporting activities include expanded marketing which enables TechLink to cultivate capable T2 partners and Technology Transition to support transitioning new technologies to government operational use. Cross-functional teams supporting the entire organization include TechLink’s Data Systems & IT team, and the Finance team. TechLink also manages the MSU Technology Transfer Office ( TTO ) and Montana Innovation Partnership ( MTIP ). TechLink’s organizational structure includes an assigned team lead role for each major line of effort, supporting activity, cross functional team, TTO and MTIP . The TechLink Finance Team includes the Associate Director for Finance and Operations, Finance Director, and Associate Fiscal Controller and this position. Additional transactional support is provided by MSU Fiscal Shared Services. Together, we work to maintain the financial integrity of TechLink and to optimize the use of our diverse funding sources. As one of only two national Partnership Intermediaries for the Department of Defense and the sole Partnership Intermediary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, TechLink operates within a unique funding environment. Standard financial management models and benchmarks are not readily applicable. The Accounting Associate IV position has substantial involvement in providing fiscal oversight and budget management for department funds, organizing department events, liaising with Fiscal Shared Services and other stakeholders, and administering the daily department operations. Work is performed with broad latitude for technical decisions and for representing TechLink in policy discussions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate invoices and contracts as they are received via a TechLink Finance Team shared email account, determine compliance with MSU and internal policies and procedures and process payment in the MSU SmartBuy system with appropriate documentation and assigning necessary approval authority.
• Research and resolve accounting problems and discrepancies while ensuring fiscal compliance with accounting procedures, expenditures and other requirements.
• Coordinate and process procurement transactions in accordance with university, federal, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Compile, format, analyze and extract fiscal and contract data for TechLink’s Partnership Intermediary Agreements ( PIA ) and other reporting requirements using CatBooks, Banner, SmartSheet, MSU SmartBuy, Chrome River and other systems.
• Submit all departmental Electronic Personnel Action Forms ( EPAF ), including new hires, terminations, and funding distribution changes while ensuring alignment with the MSU Time and Effort reporting system.
• Serve as account manager for a high volume of purchasing card transactions in Chrome River.
• Manage departmental travel including processing pre-approvals, training new personnel about MSU Travel procedures, and processing Chrome River reports.
• Oversee and execute arrangements for events, the annual federal sponsor program review meeting and on-going department meetings including securing and arranging the meeting room, arranging catering, and establishing room blocks for lodging.
• Oversee the daily functions and services of the department including managing procurement of office-related items such as supplies, equipment, furniture and the maintenance of equipment.
• Initiate and manage office related projects such as remodels, maintenance and repairs, working to keep projects on schedule and within budget. This includes organizing office space for new hires to ensure a smooth transition.
• Working knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and university regulations governing research funding is required. While this area of expertise is narrowly focused, if successful the impact on TechLink is the ability to increase funding along with enhanced compliance with relevant rules and regulations.
• Serves as departmental liaison with Fiscal Shared Services for accounting services.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Progressively responsible experience in accounting or related field.
• Demonstrated experience using personal computers and various software such as word processing (Word), spreadsheets (Excel), presentations (PowerPoint), Outlook and Internet.
• Knowledge of university systems to include financial, procurement and purchasing cards.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience with fiscal software in a large organization (i.e. SCT Banner software, Banner Web and Financial Reports).
• Experience complying with Higher Education auditing procedures and operating procedures.
• Familiarity with state and federal regulations including OMB Uniform Guidance Circulars.
• Experience working effectively with a broad range of constituencies such as university administrators, faculty, staff, students, and funding agencies.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Demonstrate excellent customer service skills for various customers, both internal and external to the organization.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of accounting procedures, and gathering, analyzing and summarizing data and making recommendations.
• Demonstrate ability to exercise sound judgment in decision making and interpreting and applying policies and procedures with a diverse set of tasks.
• Accomplish many diverse tasks in a high demanding environment, with numerous interruptions, while maintaining a professional demeanor and positive approach. Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills; communicate effectively with employees, students and the public, both in person and over the phone.
• Demonstrate self-motivation and ability to follow through, independently, on tasks and projects to completion.
• Demonstrate competence and maintain confidentiality, while processing information with a high degree of accuracy and close attention to detail.
• Represent TechLink in a professional and courteous manner.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties,

responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this at any time.

• Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of US export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a US person. Per 22 CFR §120.15, US person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 USC 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3).
• Position is located in Bozeman, Montana.
• Continuation of employment depends on funding availability.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?

This position has supervisory duties? No

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on November 4, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).