Accountant - A/P Supervisor, Grants Assistant

About Framingham State University:

Framingham State University was founded in 183+ for a singular purpose - meeting a public need to promote the public good. At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry. FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs and, while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them. Public need continues to evolve and FSU right along with it. Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, and working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham. FSU is unapologetically a public institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs, in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast.

At FSU, we are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of antiracism, encouraging a challenging yet collaborative learning environment, and providing culturally relevant education. FSU is designated as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and also belongs to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence community, providing national leadership in science education and exploring strategies that will lead to more inclusive science education. We are honored that our commitment earned FSU six Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and professional students, offers 3+ undergraduate majors, and enrolls 41% BIPOC students in our undergraduate programs. Ideally situated between Boston and Worcester, FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Accountant - A/P Supervisor, Grants Assistant is responsible for the supervision of Accounts Payable and for the processing of the weekly check runs; reviewing and approving the journal entries for monthly/quarterly/annual university investment results for all cash investments; assist university departments with budget management inquiries, research and modification of the budget; supervision of three (3) Accountant I accounts payable staff members; review and process cash disbursements (A/P, S/A, Manual Checks); monitor certain complex vendor contracts and related A/P invoices; assist with the recording, monitoring, and reconciliation of fixed assets and capital debt of the university; initiate bank transfers and wires. Assists the Staff Associate with accounting and reporting for research grants. Assists in examining and/or revising or implementing department controls, procedures and processes; assisting in the fiscal year closing, auditing and budgeting process; create financial reports using Ellucian's Banner Finance Higher Education software, Microsoft Excel and Argos reporting software.

View the full Classification Specifications for the Accountant Series.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Staff Associate - A/P, Grants & Accounting

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Three A/P Accountants

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Supervise the accounts payable functions of the university.
• Coordinate the Accounts Payable process with the Student Accounts department. Manage all cash disbursements both in the Bank of America CashPro system and recording same in the Banner Finance system for the university.
• Assist in the analysis, compilation and entry of data into MMARS (State Accounting System) for research grants and capital projects and programs of the university.
• Assist the Staff Associate with grants management duties to include pre-award budget analysis, monthly monitoring of the grants activities for compliance with the grantor requirements and scope of the award, send reports to the grant Principal Investigators (PIs) to ensure accuracy, grants reporting and invoicing per the individual grant's guidelines, grant budget set-up in Banner, and close-out activities.
• Assist University departmental managers with inquiries and support relative to budgets and budget modification as needed.
• Monitor and analyze complex invoices received by the University accounts payable office with special emphasis on utilities, food service and capital acquisitions. Confer with vendors to explain state or university rules, policies, and accounting procedures governing payments and related financial transactions.
• Review all interdepartmental and state chargebacks (prepared by the Accountant I) for accuracy.
• Review and approve all investment accounting related analysis and journal vouchers (prepared by the Accountant I} for the University.
• Handle the 10++ process at calendar year end.
• Initiate and monitor all aspects of bank transfers, wires and manual checks in support of University payments.
• Assist in the accounting, reconciliation, & reporting of fixed assets acquired by and disposed from the University.
• Assist in the fiscal year closing process and compilation of information needed for audits.
• Create financial reports for management using Microsoft Excel and the Argos reporting software; coordinate the scanning of documents using the Banner AppXtender module.
• Assist in the implementation of new technologies to improve administrative processes; assist in the drafting, reviewing, improving and implementation of accounting policies, procedures, and internal control processes.
• Approve or recommend changes or improvements in grant accounting procedures.
• Analyze grant expenditure patterns in order to make recommendations or take appropriate action to control spending.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work schedule is Monday-Friday, +:00am - 5:00pm. Position may be eligible for partial remote work opportunities consistent with the University's Staff Telework Guidelines.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in accounting or auditing, of which at least (B) two years must have been in a supervisory, administrative or managerial capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. An Associate's degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*

II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*

Ill. A Graduate degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.*
• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, non-exempt, benefits-eligible position in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) bargaining unit with an official title of Accountant IV. The bi-weekly pay rate is $2,632.5+ (grade 20, step 1 ).

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and ****** offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity employer.

Members of underrepresented or minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must apply online by submitting:
• Cover Letter,
• Resume/CV,
• Equity and Inclusion Statement*,
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references (references are not contacted automatically upon submission of application).
• The Equity and Inclusion Statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss professional skills, experience and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university's efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidate application materials.

For best consideration, application materials must be received by February +, 2025 However, applications may continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.

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