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Accountant I

Employer
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Location
UMass Amherst

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Administrative Jobs
Institutional & Business Affairs, Business & Financial Management
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution
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Job Details

Accountant I

Job no: 506619
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Environmental Conservation
Union: USA/MTA
Categories: Accounting/Finance

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Accountant I position is responsible for managing funds of all types for the Department of Environmental Conservation and acts as grant/contract liaison for the Department with the Office of Grants and Contracts. The Accountant I oversees accounting and bookkeeping functions for the Department of Environmental Conservation, examines accounting data, prepares financial statements and reports, maintains accounting records, maintains a computerized financial management system to enable comprehensive budget reviews, interprets and implements accounting and University financial policies (grants, contracts, Trust funds, University accounts). The job includes negotiating sales terms and conditions and contracts for services. The Accountant I will assist with travel and academic Procard expenditures. The Accountant also helps supervise the day-to-day main office operations in the absence of, or with direction from, the Department Business Manager.

Essential Functions

  • Oversight of financial matters related to managing grant budgets and expenditures, and allocation and expenditures of funds for all account types.
  • Interpreting and applying University fiscal procedures policies and guidelines for all fund types (gift, grant, general operating funds, research trust funds, grants, contracts, and revenue cost centers).
  • Monitors sub-contract budgets and invoicing. Analyzes and tracks budgets, expenditures, and expiration dates.
  • Monitors budgets and advises Principal Investigators in re-budgeting requests/activities as needed while expediting the process of new awards and account creations.
  • Creates, prepares, and maintain PeopleSoft Reports and Summit System queries to monitor accuracy of accounting transactions.
  • Act as primary purchasing agent for grants and department funds, initiate purchase orders; obtain vendor quotes; preparing vendor contracts; and maintaining complete, accurate, and audit-ready files on all grant expenditures.
  • Apply University policies and procedures related to financial transactions.
  • Interpret and apply University fiscal procedures and guidelines for various fund types.
  • Coordinate and maintain Pro-card users and record files, including re-allocation of Pro-card expenses and reconciliation of statements.
  • Assists faculty, researchers, and graduate students with travel and serves as certified travel preparer, reconciling payments and processing related forms, statements, and disbursement documents.
  • Works with department Business Manager and Department Head on joint accounting activities, such as overhead transfers; split funded expenditures, faculty teaching, and/or academic support awards, Start-Up funding, etc.
  • Serves as finance and accounting liaison between faculty, Office of Research Affairs, Office of Grant and Contract Administration, Accounting, Purchasing, Controller’s Office, Treasurer’s Office for Wire Transfers, etc.

    • Other Functions

  • Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
  • Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
  • Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

    • Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Associate’s degree (in accounting or related financial field) or equivalent combination of education and training required.
  • Three years of work experience in the accounting field.
  • In depth working knowledge of spreadsheet software applications and competence in running queries in computerized database.
  • Experience submitting and following submissions through electronic workflows (such as BuyWays and travel reimbursements).
  • Ability to work effectively, prioritize and be flexible in a high-paced environment.
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision, to meet deadlines and to be self-motivated on time sensitive matters.

    • Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Proficiency with the use of PeopleSoft software and Summit for business process applications.
  • Knowledge of and proficiency with the use of agency forms.
  • In-depth knowledge of the University rules and procedures for Federal and State Grant Accounting.
  • Applications of electronic data processing functions to central offices.
  • In-depth knowledge of the University’s accounting processes, BuyWays, and Recharges.
  • Strong positive attitude to problem solving.
  • Knowledge of the methods of general report writing, using computer applications.

    • Physical Demands/Working Conditions

    Remain flexible to reasonable faculty requirements for meeting deadlines.

    Additional Details

    This position will engage with the campus and local community.

    Work Schedule

    Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm or 8-4 PM; could be 9-5 (37.5 hours per week)

    Salary Information

    Grade 15

    Special Instructions to Applicants

    Submit a letter of application, resume and contact information for three professional references.

    As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. In addition to application materials above, candidates will need to embrace the sense of community that comes with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion)

    UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

    Advertised: Oct 29 2020 Eastern Daylight Time
    Applications close: Nov 25 2020 Eastern Standard Time

    Organization

    The University of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the preeminent public research universities in America. Nestled in idyllic Amherst, Massachusetts—often called “The top college town in North America”—the campus is consistently ranked among the top public research universities in the nation, and offers a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. 

    As one of the nation's top public research universities – as measured by national and international rankings, academic citations, and research funding – the campus spends more than $180 million on research each year, demonstrating its contribution to the nation’s position as a technological and economic leader. The university works in conjunction with academic, government, and private partners to translate new knowledge and scientific discoveries into technical innovations and scholarly works that create opportunities for students, faculty and the public. 

    Eight schools and colleges offer more than 85 undergraduate majors, 68 master’s and 48 doctoral degree programs, many counted among the top programs in the nation and world. UMass Amherst is also home to New England's premier honors college.

    The 1,159 full-time faculty members are dedicated teachers and world-renowned researchers and the campus has regularly been listed among the top performers in terms of faculty awards. With over 24,000 students from all 50 states and over 70 countries, the student body is the most academically successful in the history of the campus. Students participate in 240 organizations, 21 NCAA Division I athletic teams, extensive intramurals, living-learning residence halls, community service, and internships. With one of the largest residential life systems in the nation, UMass Amherst houses approximately 12,000 students on campus. The university is enjoying a facilities renaissance, including new buildings in the sciences, the arts, and recreation. UMass Amherst is part of the Five College consortium with Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and Amherst colleges.

    As an employer, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a national leader in developing family-friendly policies, benefits and amenities designed to help faculty members develop both productive careers and satisfying personal lives. The university offers one of the nation’s most generous parental leave policies. The university is also part of the Academic Career Network, a regional consortium formed to serve dual-career couples and encourage greater diversity in the academy.

     

    Company info
    Website
    Telephone
    4135454894
    Location
    181 PRESIDENTS DR
    Whitmore Administration Building
     Amherst
    Massachusetts
    01003
    US
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