Accounting Specialist

About the Job

Summary of Position: This position performs basic accounting activities and financial reporting transactions in support of a portfolio of RRCs in the Finance Operations Center. Consults with accounting and other finance professionals within the Finance Operations Center to ensure appropriate and timely support.

Job Duties:

Accounting 75%

• Uses information and requests received from a portfolio of RRCs to analyze and prepare chart field requests in EFS, prepare journal entry analysis, computation, and documentation, and complete the entry of journal entries into EFS. Requests are processed following University standard methodologies and procedures in journal entries, ledger/fund analyses, journal corrections, year‑end activities, budget journal uploads, and the like.
• Collaborates with finance staff at RRCs on accounting period closings, reviewing reports and other materials to ensure reasonableness and identifying and resolving errors of a simple nature.
• Facilitates capital asset transactions of growing complexity and collaborates with Accounting Services to ensure the accurate execution of financial transactions.
• Explains, interprets, and applies University accounting policies and procedures.
• Uses the chart of accounts with developing proficiency and understanding, ensures chart field string integrity by working with other accounting professionals to recommend updates based on analysis and review of existing transactions and accurate uses.
• Processes payroll accounting transactions initiated by HR or finance requests such as new hire, additional pay, etc. or funding changes initiated by a finance request (keys payroll distribution chart field strings, verifies funding, validates additional pay entry, processes retroactive adjustments, etc.). Typically addressing simple funding structures.
• Proactively analyzes and supervises payroll activity in order to complete payroll distributions and process changes based on communication with departments, understanding of funding sources and upcoming changes. Collaborates closely with unit contacts (including finance staff, as well as academic and research staff) to process retro pay‑roll distributions.
• Understands technical accounting concepts, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and other guiding concepts with developing proficiency.

Unit Support 10%

• Supports planning by assisting in producing and reviewing supporting financial data.
• May prepare ad hoc financial reports to support reporting and decision‑making needs of the assigned portfolio of RRCs.
• Supports analysis and communication of the impact of activities on RRCs' overall financial well‑being.

Professional Development 10%

• May chip in to training manuals and procedures for the Finance Operations Center.
• Identifies and participates in opportunities for cross‑training across Finance Operations Center functions to maintain adequate coverage of all functions.
• Completes professional development, education, and training activities, consistent with being responsible for the position's responsibilities.
• Completes continued learning and development appropriate to work duties and for the pursuit of the individual, unit, and institutional success.
• Participates in staff development based on individual needs, including ongoing skills training, DEI development, professional learning, service & scholarly activity, and engagement & well‑being.
• As an individual contributor, models UMN's dedication to crafting an inclusive work environment and encouraging a caring culture.

Other duties as assigned 5%

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Required:

• BA/BS degree or a combination of related education and work experience equal to four years

Preferred:

• Ability to harmonize with standard technology platforms (e.g., word processing, data entry, email, internet browsing, etc.)
• Ability to read, interpret, and compile information according to prescribed methods.
• Ability to apply logic to problem solve and find solutions

Pay Range: $25.89 - $26.75 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

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