Accounting Specialist

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute for Information Sciences (I2S) at the University of Kansas is seeking an experienced administrator to manage purchasing, travel, payroll, and human resources for the research center. The role emphasizes compliance with KU policies and funding verification to support faculty, staff, and students.

On-site position with a potential flexible schedule; ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office and payroll systems in a university

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 3 years of relevant experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as required by work experience.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience with word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Experience communicating with all levels of an organizational hierarchy.
• Ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Purchase and travel management in line with KU/KUCR/KUEA policies and restrictions.
• Coordinate funding and grant-related expenditures with AMS and related offices.
• Assist faculty, staff, and students with travel questions and reimbursements.
• Process personal reimbursements and travel reimbursements per University procedures.
• Maintain I2S p-cards and handle hospitality purchases within regulations.
• Serve as backup to the I2S Business Manager.

Education

High school diploma/GED equivalency

Excellent verbal and written communication

Word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software

Communication across organizational levels

Independent work capability

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

PeopleSoft payroll

Oracle

Concur

Access

Job description

Position Overview

The Institute for Information Sciences (I2S) is a designated research center at the University of Kansas. Faculty and staff conduct research in a variety of areas. The center is working with Kansas companies to facilitate the development of information technology products and services. Their overall goal is to expand opportunities and enhance support for developing a solid information technology economy. This position will serve as a resource for the center in purchasing and travel policies and procedures; and will perform most daily operations of the research center. This position will work on-site, but a flexible schedule may be considered.

Job Description

65% - Purchasing and Travel

• Maintain working knowledge of KU/KUCR/KUEA policies and restrictions for purchases, ensuring that purchases or payments made are within guidelines.
• Work with the I2S Business Manager to ensure that sufficient funds are available for purchases, and to verify funding for non-grant expenditures; work with Office of Research Award Management Services (AMS) on grant-funded requests.
• Facilitate purchasing for I2S faculty, staff, and students.
• Assist faculty, staff, and students with travel questions and assist with travel arrangements and travel reimbursements as needed.
• Process personal reimbursements for faculty, staff, and students; ensuring University procedures are followed.
• Process honoraria and travel reimbursements for I2S visitors, ensuring adequate funding is available, and University procedures are followed. Assist with travel arrangements for I2S visitors as required.
• Maintain I2S departmental KURES and UKANS p-cards, issuing to faculty, staff, and students as needed.
• Purchase refreshments and meals for scheduled events, as needed. Maintain knowledge of KU/KUCR/KUEA regulations for hospitality purchases.
• Serve as backup to I2S Business Manager, filling in as needed.

30% - Payroll and Human Resources

• Coordinate and manage I2S recruitment activities for student hourly positions. Submit funding changes for students not on grant funding as required. Confirm availability of funding prior to submission. Work with faculty and AMS contacts to ensure funding changes for students on grant funding are submitted appropriately.
• Process GRA student appointments by semester, coordinating with faculty and AMS on process, ensuring deadlines are met to avoid students being underpaid or overpaid.
• Process GRA sponsorship forms as needed, for students who meet the qualifications.

5% - Other Duties as Assigned

• Schedule outgoing FedEx and UPS shipments for I2S faculty and staff.
• Participate in team meetings, professional development, and university training.
• May supervise student workers.
• Other duties as specified by Business Manager, Associate Director, or Director.
• Coordinate and organize meetings, workshops, conferences, symposia, and other presentations.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED equivalency and 3 years of relevant experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as required by work experience.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience with word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Previous experience that required effective communication with all levels of constituents in an organizational hierarchy.
• Previous experience that demonstrated the ability to work independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience demonstrating the ability to utilize computer software for specific requirements such as the development and maintenance of databases, spreadsheets, and Word documents.
• Proficiency with Windows/Microsoft Office computer software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.), and Adobe Acrobat as required by work experience.
• Previous experience demonstrating the ability to work in a team environment.
• Experience with PeopleSoft payroll systems.
• Experience with Oracle and Concur financial systems.
• Experience working in a university environment.
• Experience working in a research environment.

Contact Information to Applicants

Pam Farr, [e-mail], 785-864-7354

Advertised Salary Range

$40,000 - $46,000

Application Review Begins

Monday August 31, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Monday September 21, 2026