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Accounting Specialist

Employer
The University of Kansas
Location
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
View more categoriesView less categories
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Position OverviewThis professional Accounting Specialist position has major responsibilities in posting payment transactions, maintaining segregated funds, balancing worksheets, completing logs, filing, scanning and preparing deposits daily. Identifies and resolves account discrepancies. Responsible for monthly reports, posting of outside domestic scholarship(s), student account billing, late fee posting, pre-collection activity on accounts, checks, seat deposits, prepayments, bankruptcy, campus-based loans and verifying student account documents. Serve as primary backup in the production of the KUID card. Employee maintains internal controls, researches and analyzes data, extensively utilizes Excel and database query, coordinates projects, develops and prepares reports. Federal and State laws, The University of Kansas policies, NCAA and departmental procedures including cash management guidelines must be followed. Employee is expected to provide quality customer service, exercise good judgment, have a high degree of concentration, planning and coordination to perform functions of their position and achieve accurate and timely results. Job Description25% - Cashiering/Related Activities
  • Process daily deposits and payments for the university. Utilize dual control for opening secured drop boxes, processing deposits, payments made in person, transitioning couriered funds and daily closing. Immediately process appropriate deposit and payment information. This should include verifying cash, checks and credit card amounts and recording them on Daily Drop Box Log. Accurately post each transaction into Campus Solutions daily.
  • Post student payments into student financials (SF). Assures all payments received are properly recorded into SF on-a-daily basis. Adhering to confidentiality rules, provide a receipt to each in person customer for every transaction processed. Incorrect postings may cause repercussions to students. Answer all questions a student/delegate may have while attempting payment in a clear, friendly and attentive manner. Complete daily closing with accurate electronic check processing.
  • Review daily cashiering activity processed. Maintain monthly Cashier Activity Report, Lockbox & Batch Report, and Deposit Report. These reports assist management in assessing payment trends, payment options utilized, high and low volumes of fiscal cycle, equitable workload, and cashiering effectiveness.
  • Student Organization deposits must be posted weekly. Assure all amounts and account codes received are properly recorded into the spreadsheet. Strictly adhere to University and SAR policy and procedures in order to maintain proper controls over University assets. Complete daily closing with accurate electronic check processing, bank deposit, deposit slip and end of day cash count.
  • Scan all cashiering documentation daily.

25% - Projects - May include but not limited to:
  • Review system report to assess which accounts qualify to have the NSF indicator removed. Communicate with management regarding which accounts may require an additional Bursar hold.
  • Track seat deposits collected by various schools and deposited into FITC. Maintain log of students, dates, amount of payment and specified term. Prior to billing for Spring, Fall or Summer, review list with departments and request posting of the seat deposits to the appropriate student accounts. Continue to track any deposits to be reapplied to a future term. Prepare a monthly reconciliation of seat deposits and report to management.
  • Assist with Non-Resident Alien (NRA) information gathering following department guidelines, doing so in an accurate and timely fashion. Set up international student scholarship files and transfer information to spreadsheets. Accepts and evaluates completion of student documentation. Assist with notifications, student account tuition and fee calculations, taxation, and reporting to the State.
  • Process monthly e-bill notifications for student financials. Review and spot check accounts looking for possible errors before the notification process begins.
  • Complete and evaluate NPY Hold Release Request when approached by a student to allow their eligible authorized financial assistance to pay anticipated spring charges and outstanding charges on the account. Complete the form and provide FAS folder for their review. Follow-up with response to the student regarding whether hold release is permissible and/or payment is required.

15% - KUID card
  • Serve as the primary backup in the production of the KUID card. Assist with production of card and end-of-day reporting and billing.

15% - Monthly Reporting/Processes
  • Assist management in developing more efficient and effective processes and communication of these processes with staff and department as requested.
  • Review and post late payment fees monthly. Work with FAS during critical months.
  • Track email in the office account for numbers received monthly.
  • Track open group posts within Campus Solutions and follow-up with departments regarding the need to post or delete the batch.
  • Monitor the report for Form 8300. Create form as needed.

15% - Customer Service and Other
  • Communicate with customers and departments daily both in person, by phone or email. Professional verbal and written communication skills are critical when answering customer questions, giving accurate answers and providing clear and concise information to students and/or parents. Must be able to research accounts and understand charges, credits, service indicators, and message screens. Responsible for answering office emails through Outlook and Hawkhelp.
  • Interpret, follow and comply with federal, state, industry, University, Financial Services and SAR rules/laws, regulations, policy and procedures. Responsible for exercising good working knowledge of various systems utilized in office operations. Engage in testing data for new systems, system upgrades, and/or new functions. Provide customer service by responding to email and other written correspondence, phone and in-person inquiries. Interpret Enroll & Pay student account activity as needed. Assist with incoming mail distribution processes and maintain department calendar and all logs as required. Represent the SAR’s Office at student orientation or university informational activities. Perform all services in a timely, accurate and professional manner, while consistently providing high quality customer service. Assist management in developing more efficient and effective processes and communications. Continuously work to create a harmonious work environment with co-workers, administration and the campus community.
  • Attend training as requested to enhance skills and perform functions better.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
  1. High School diploma or GED equivalency and four years of relevant experience or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
  2. Two years cashiering/cash handling experience.
  3. Three years of experience in customer service employment: ex. public, internal, phone and face-to-face.
  4. Three years of experience in professional accounting, accounts receivables/billing, collections and/or auditing work.
  5. Minimum one year data entry experience with a high degree of accuracy.
  6. Minimum one year of experience using accounting and financial reporting systems.
  7. Minimum one year of experience using Excel spreadsheet to include creating, maintaining and using formulas.
Preferred Qualifications
  1. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance or other related field.
  2. Experience with financial procedures and/or ability to analyze and detect discrepancies.
  3. Experience with PeopleSoft Student Financials or Oracle Financials Cloud.
  4. Experience with MS Office and pc software applications: ex. document, spreadsheet, calendar and tasks applications.
  5. Excellent written communication skills as demonstrated in application materials.
Additional Candidate Instructions

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

  • Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications
  • Resume
  • List of three (3) professional references
Application review begins Monday, November 30th and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.
Contact Information to ApplicantsMandy Tucker
mandy.tucker@ku.eduAdvertised Salary Range$42,000Application Review BeginsMonday November 30, 2026Anticipated Start DateMonday January 4, 2027Apply to Job

Organization

Working at the University of Kansas 

Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.

The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.  

The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.

KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.

Instruction 

KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.

Research 

The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.

Service 

The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.

International Dimension 

KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.

Values 

The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.

Our City and State 

KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.

Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.

Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.

Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.

Making KU Your Home 

Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.

At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.

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