Position Function:
The Accounts Receivable Accountant provides accounting support within the Controller and Treasurer’s Office and assists Business Managers, Accountants and other fiscal personnel at the university. Ensures processes and procedures related to student accounts receivables are carried out in an accurate and timely manner. Provides support to students and parents in understanding their financial obligations to the University.
Salary Grade: 14
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.
Department Profile:
Account Services helps in understanding costs, understanding bills, making payments and getting refunds.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following examples are intended as illustrations only of the various types of duties assigned in positions allocated to this classification. The absence of specific statements of duties does not exclude those tasks from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position.
1. Provide timely customer service to parents, students, faculty, staff, and/or other parties concerning current and past-due account balances and other customer concerns while adhering to privacy regulations (FERPA) through various communication means including phone, email, and in-person.
2. Assist with the administration of the University's payment policy for current and past-due balances to include analyzing customer accounts, payment plans, and business office holds.
3. Process various account adjustments for all AR units, maintain files, communicate account adjustments and ensure the adjustments are accurate, appropriate and posted timely.
4. Administration of the University's student/faculty/staff dining meal plans, charging accounts or making adjustments as necessary, providing reports of transactions and revenues generated as well as reconciliation of transactions to the general ledger.
5. Administration of the student credit refund process. Ensure refunds are accurate, appropriate, and comply with Federal Title IV, State and MSU academic aid regulations.
6. Administration of sponsored student operation including facilitating military benefits and all external sponsors. Related duties are processing payments, posting awards to student accounts, invoicing of sponsors and reconciling sponsor accounts for accurate and complete application of funds received.
7. Assist with yearly 1098-T preparation and processing.
8. Producing monthly billing statements for students, affiliates, and employees.
9. Responsible for reconciliations and reports necessary for administering various enrollment and tuition waiver programs.
10. Assist with the development and implementation of new programs and initiatives affecting student accounts receivable.
11. Provide assistance to the AR management team to meet strategic goals.
12. Prepare accounting adjusting entries for recording to the general ledger as necessary.
13. Perform other related duties as assigned.
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.
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 Accounting
2. Experience working in Banner software application
3. Advanced degree (E.g. MBA) and/or professional certification (E.g. CPA)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Well-developed interpersonal and customer service skills.
2. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
3. Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
4. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat.
5. Working knowledge of database query tools.
6. Independent self-starter with strong work ethic.
7. Experience in work settings requiring teamwork and high-volume assignments.
8. Ability to manage priorities and meet multiple daily deadlines.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
1. Routine deadlines; variance in work volume seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures; infrequent evening and weekend work is required.
2. Job frequently requires sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects.
3. Job occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting to 25 pounds.
4. Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
Instructions for Applying:
Submit application, cover letter and resume online. Link to apply: https://www.msujobs.msstate.edu/
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.
