Accountant I, II, or III

Position Function:

Performs standard accounting functions such as cost analysis, reconciliation, posting, and inventory control. Analyzes financial and operating data and prepares management reports and financial statements.

Salary Grade:  15

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

1. Monitors revenue and expenses for departmental or unit accounts; ensures expenditure control and proper signatures, receipts and available funds, mathematical correctness, and compliance with Foundation policy and standard accounting procedures. Responsible for communicating with vendors and various university departments concerning accounting or purchase related issues.
2. Process travel related requests for reimbursement to University employees ensuring that employees adhere to all travel policies.
3. Constructs routine spreadsheet applications, prepares financial data, and generates reports.
4. Coordinates the preparation of regularly scheduled and special billings, costs reports, analyses, studies, inventories, and financial statements for audit purposes or otherwise as needed.
5. Oversee processing of monthly payment to MSU for all Foundation charges incurred at the University.
6. Analyzes, reconciles, balances, and maintains accounting records; develops budgets and special financial reports. This includes all accounts receivable files for the Foundation as well as travel advances from individuals.
7. Prepares, reviews, and processes budget, revenue, expense, payroll, and related correcting entries and may prepare complex bank reconciliations.
8. May supervise and/or lead lower graded staff and/or student employees.
9. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:
May supervise employees, but supervision is not the main focus of the job.

Minimum Qualifications:

Level I: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related discipline. No experience required.
Level II: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related discipline plus 2 years of experience. Experience must include at least 2 years at the preceding level or equivalent.
Level III: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related discipline plus 4 years of experience. Experience must include at least 2 years at the preceding level or the equivalent.

Substitution Allowed:
Indicated education is required; no substitutions allowed. When a candidate has the required education, but lacks the required experience, they may apply additional relevant education toward the experience requirement at a rate of one (1) year education per year of required experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting2. Certified Public Accountant Certification3. Certified Management Accountant Certification4. Working knowledge of Banner5. Familiarity with University policies and procedures
2. Knowledge of standard and/or fund accounting principles, methods, and applications2. Ability to effectively communicate accounting information, policies, and/or procedures in a manner easily understood by the customer3. Knowledge of computerized information systems used in financial and/or accounting applications4. Account balancing and reconciling skills5. Ability to set up and maintain financial accounts and ledgers6. Spreadsheet software skills to quantify and illustrate routine financial reports, statements, and/or projections7. Knowledge of general accounting principles8. Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control procedures9. Ability to supervise and train assigned staff10. Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and/or projections

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• - No or very limited physical effort required
• - No or very limited exposure to physical risk
• - Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment

Instructions For Applying:

Submit an online application along with a resume and cover letter.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.