Accounting Specialist

Kent State University; Kent (WA); On-site; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking university as an Accounting Specialist, where you will provide essential accounting, administrative, and clerical support. In this role, you will analyze financial data, prepare reports, and ensure compliance with university policies. This position offers a dynamic environment where your contributions will directly impact the university's financial integrity. If you thrive in a collaborative setting and are passionate about making a difference in the academic community, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year experience in a financially related area.
• Ability to gather, collate, and classify information effectively.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes financial data and prepares financial projections.
• Prepares financial reports and oversees resource disbursement.

Skills

Bookkeeping/Accounting Procedures

Interpersonal Communication

Public Speaking

Written Communication

Typing (35 WPM)

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

12-18 Months Training in Financial Area

Tools

Spreadsheet Software

Office Equipment

Job description

Job Title:

Accounting Specialist

Physical Location:

Kent Campus - Kent, OH

Salary:

$15.88

Basic Function:

Provides complex accounting, administrative, and clerical assistance for the administration of Kent State University and department programs and projects; assists administrators with financial reports and budgets. Reports to Department Head or other designated administrative supervisor.

Additional Basic Function – if applicable:

None.

Examples of Duties:

Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following:

Analyzes financial and statistical data; prepares financial projections; provides financial information to others involved in preparing and reconciling divisional budgets.

Reviews and monitors adjustments made to accounts, ledgers, or journals; determines accuracy and validity of accounting documents and transactions.

Prepares financial reports, oversees the receipt and disbursement of university resources, reconciles and balances accounts.

Recommends changes in department/organizational unit business office policies, procedures, and practices.

Assists in the administration of department programs and projects; ensures compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations originating within and outside the university; provides technical advice and information to aid administrator in decision making; answers questions and independently resolves administrative and budgetary problems.

Serves as liaison and acts on behalf of administrator in regular dealings with persons within (e.g., faculty, professional, and supervisory staff, etc.) and outside the university (e.g., representatives of agencies, professional contacts, etc.); represents administrator at meeting and conferences; may make presentations at meetings and conferences.

Communicates and responds to questions/concerns with internal and external constituents.

Composes routine and non-routine correspondence concerning requests for information.

Provides clerical support for programs and projects; prepares and processes forms; maintains a system of paper and/or computerized files.

May plan and direct the work activities of clerical/secretarial employees or student workers; assigns and monitors work duties and responsibilities; establishes and modifies work methods, schedules, and priorities.

May recommend formal personnel actions (e.g., hiring termination, promotion, discipline, layoff/recall) for assigned employees and initiates appropriate action to implement recommendations.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Additional Examples of Duties – if applicable:

None.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent plus completion of 12 to 18 months training in a financially related area (or equivalent training or experience which provides comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities). A minimum of one year progressively responsible experience in a financially related area.

License/Certification:

None.

Knowledge Of:

Bookkeeping/accounting procedures and terminology
Office practices and procedures
Standard procedures for alphanumeric filing
Spreadsheet software packages
Analyze several pieces of information and draw valid conclusions

Skill In:

Interpersonal communication to effectively interact with University personnel and public in person and over the telephone (e.g., to explain policies and procedures, answer routine questions)
Public speaking, if required by position
Written communication (e.g., to compose reports, correspondence and memos)
Typing (i.e., 35 net words per minute), if required by position

Ability To:

Gather, collate, and classify information according to established methods
Define problems, collect data, and draw valid conclusions
Apply and interpret policies and procedures
Resolve problems independently and make decisions
Operate various office equipment (e.g., calculator, copy machine, facsimile machine, etc.)
Operate a computer for word-processing, data entry/retrieval, and data management; specific software preferred
Perform basic mathematics (e.g., add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, and to calculate percentages)
Plan and direct work activities, to manage time effectively, and to set priorities
Locate and correct bookkeeping/accounting errors
Read and comprehend a variety of written material

Preferred Qualifications – if applicable:

None.

Assessments:

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which require assessments

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

None.

Working Schedule:

Monday - Friday 9:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.

Additional Information:

Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.

Must pass a security check.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For official job descriptions, visit www.kent.edu/hr.

Kent State University is a Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free University effective July 1, 2017. Smoking and tobacco use are not permitted on any of Kent State’s campuses or other locations and properties that are owned, operated, or leased by Kent State, both domestic and international. For additional details, visit www.kent.edu/smoke-free.

Disclaimer:

The intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related experience/education beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties, job hours, and responsibilities.