Accountant 1

This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Accountant 1 position for the Forestry, Oceanic and Atmospheric Business Center ( FOBC ) at Oregon State University ( OSU ).

The Forestry, Oceanic and Atmospheric Business Center ( FOBC ) is responsible for providing financial and administrative services to the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences ( CEOAS ) and the College of Forestry (CoF). This position will primarily support personnel in the CoF and provide backup as necessary to CEOAS .

As a supportive arm of Oregon State University ( OSU ), the CoF is one of twelve academic schools and colleges within Oregon State University ( OSU ). The College has responsibility for undergraduate and graduate instruction, research, extension, continuing educational and related public service programs. The Dean is the Director of the Forest Research Laboratory, a Statewide Public Service Unit for which there is line item in the State budget. The economy of Oregon is heavily dependent on forestry, its largest sector. The College provides research and education to improve the contributions of this sector to the people of Oregon. The College has three educational departments, a research forest, communication department, maintenance center, computing support center and administrative offices.

This position plays a critical role in the CoF as it provides general business and administrative support to the business center team, whose purpose is to support the College’s programs and faculty. Primary support functions will be for grant accounting and budgeting reporting, and assistance to other Business Center grant accountants and College Research Office staff as necessary. The incumbent will apply OSU fund accounting methods and controls to ensure timely and accurate processing and reporting of business data in the FOBC for CoF grants, gifts and contracts and accounts receivable functional areas; this position will back up one or more of the Business Center’s other functional areas such as budgets, projects, funds, or accounts payable as required.

Position Duties

70% – CoF Accounting and Budgeting:

Reviews and verifies CoF grant, gifts and contracts revenues and expenditures transactions for accuracy and allowablility.

Resolves accounting errors through the OSU Banner Financial Information System ( FIS ) by making appropriate cost transfer reversals or correcting entries by adjusting debits and credits; assigning appropriate account codes and activity codes as needed, and ensuring a proper audit trail.

Prepares individual or consolidated balance sheets as necessary or requested by supervisor, Principal Investigators (PI’s) and department office managers. Assists PI’s with budget revisions. Works as liaison between PI, Department and Office for Sponsored Research and Award Administration ( OSRAA ) as appropriate. Assists CoF FOBC Accountant 2, PI, CoF department Office Managers and OSRAA in monitoring timely closeout of awards.

Monitors and tracks cost share commitments for the CoF. Ensures College commitments are met under a variety of grant funded projects (each having its own regulations and guidelines). Maintains a log of active subcontracts for the College; acts as liaison between OSRAA and PI for invoices, final reports and extensions. In the OSU FIS system, reviews and is final approver for expenditures prior to purchase (Purchase Orders) or posting (Payable and/or Travel documents) for allowability and appropriateness of expenses according to OSU policies and procedures for fund accounting, grant budget and scope of work as defined within the restricted or unrestricted fund guidelines and policies.

Reviews and approves journal voucher entry of other FOBC employees in the OSU FIS system.

15% – Maintains accounts receivable for CoF; receives and reconciles funds for all deposits by interpreting regulations to ensure accuracy of account codes used. Maintains web-based invoice form for CoF use, ensuring form conforms to OSU policies and procedures.

5% – Creates invoices to private industry, Government Agencies, and other universities for various CoF Cooperatives, laboratories and fee book related services. Participates in the implementation and maintenance of strong internal controls for receivables, cash and reconciliations by balancing accounts receivable log with deposit slips and funds received; analyzing and resolving discrepancies in account receivable log compared to funds received; and verifying receipt ledger by compiling totals. Audits billable activities and is point of contact to assist central cashier’s office in determining the correct fund for distribution of unrecognizable ACH deposits with the Controller. Makes appropriate reversals or correcting entries.

5% – Payroll Accounting and Processing:

Provides back-up support for CoF Accountant 1 Payroll. Processes payroll related documents received from FOBC Human Resources and inputs documents into Banner.

5% – Other Duties as Assigned:

Stays current and continue education with OSU / OUS policies, guidelines, manuals, and Federal regulations; other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with CPA or PA certificate;

OR Bachelor’s degree with 30 quarter (20 semester) hours of college-level Accounting, OR 30 quarter (20 semester) hours of Accounting courses and three years of Accounting experience*

*Accounting experience must include at least 3 of the following:

Preparing transactions to be recorded in records of original entry;

Preparing journal entries, posting from journals to general ledger, or preparing original general ledger entries;

Summarizing data from a ledger to a trial balance;

Closing accounts at the end of an accounting period;

Applying PC spreadsheet, database, and word processing software; Processing data using a computer.

Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses. All courses must be from accredited colleges, universities, or private vocational schools.

Additional Required Qualifications

Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with sensitive materials.

Demonstrated strong organizational skills with the ability to take initiative, prioritize workload, work independently and effectively in a customer-focused environment with frequent interruptions.

Proficient in in Microsoft Office suite to include Outlook, Excel, and Word.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Demonstrated focus on customer service.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal History Check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in Youth Programs may have additional Criminal History Checks every 24 months.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications

A basic understanding of grants and contract compliance.

Experience in Banner and Data Warehouse FIS and HRIS , and OPAA Nolij, processing JVs; Banner Payroll action and time-entry.

Accuracy and attention to detail.

A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

This position requires working in an open cubicle environment, in an older OSU building with passive airflow that has no air conditioning in the summer, and can be cold in the winter.

This position is deemed essential and the incumbent may be expected to report to work during inclement weather, emergency and other University work curtailments or closures.

No

This position requires a clear and unambiguous commitment to compliance of all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regulations for Division I (FBS) universities.

No

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

P00932CT

Number of Vacancies

1

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date

07/01/2017

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Posting Date

05/10/2017

Full Consideration Date

05/26/2017

Closing Date

05/31/2017

Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search

Competitive / External – open to ALL qualified applicants

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by May 26, 2017. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

Applications will be reviewed based on the information submitted on the employment profile with education and work history along with any other requested documentation i.e. posting specific question responses, transcripts, etc. Your profile MUST clearly show how you meet the minimum/required qualifications for the position. Resumes are NOT accepted at the application stage for classified staff positions.

Typically, the starting salary is at the lower end of the salary range.

For additional information please contact: Penny Wright at penny.wright@oregonstate.edu

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal History Check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in Youth Programs may have additional Criminal History Checks every 24 months. Offers of employment are contingent upon meeting all minimum qualifications including the Criminal History Check Requirement.

Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses. All courses must be from accredited colleges, universities, or private vocational schools. The online application system will allow you to attach your transcripts if the PDF file is 9MB or less. If over 9MB in size, submit to contact person listed. Transcripts must be received by the closing date if not uploaded with your application.