Accounting Liaison
Southern Methodist University Inc

Job Info

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Description

Salary Range:
Salary commensurate with experience & qualifications.

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 90 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities - from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.

About the Position:

The Accounting Liaison role is a generalist role that will be the initial & primary contact for the Academic and non-Academic Financial Business Managers and their school/area department leadership and staff for accounting/accounting process and payroll duties including, but not limited to: journal entry processing; accounts payable coordination; vendor communication and management; extra-compensation review and approvals; facilitating and/or directing regarding other processes including Escheatments, Concur, Procurement, Budget, Asset Tagging and Management, etc., and assuring accounting rules and/or university policy is applied properly. The position could be assigned or serve as back-up to multiple schools/areas as needed.

Essential Functions:

• Liaison Duties: Serves as the go-to person for assigned schools/areas for accounting/accounting process and payroll duties including JE processing, accounts payable, and payroll and will assist and/or direct requests on other process concerns including Escheatments, Concur, Procurement (PCards/Purchase Orders), Budget, Tax, etc., with the goal of providing effective and efficient customer service.
• JE Processing (1 of 2): Responsible for handling journal processing needs including spreadsheet JEs for assigned schools and/or areas; review JE back-up and attach to JE in system; confirm accuracy of request w/org owner or others as applicable; obtain org owner approval where required; apply proper accounting rules & university policy to request; explain adjustments needed to requestor;
• JE Processing (2 of 2): assign Grants & Contracts JE requests to proper PI and assist as needed; efficiently/effectively manage JE requests arriving at JEProcessing@smu.edu email box which includes immediately acknowledging request, providing a JE # to the requestor after JE is complete, & moving the request into complete folder; send JE requests requiring research to manager/lead as needed; etc.
• Accounts Payable (1 of 2): Responsible for triage service on invoices for assigned schools/areas which includes provide or confirm account/fund/org, obtain proper org owner approval via DocuSign, obtain & confirm proper completion of W-9 form, complete/review ICD request in coordination with department staff, obtain and attach PO and/or contract for invoices over $5k, vendor follow-up as needed,
• Accounts Payable (2 of 2): confirm vendor number and address in A/P system, & other duties to assure invoice is forwarded to A/P efficiently within maximum 2 day turnaround; manage invoices with pending items so they are not delayed significantly by assigning to manager/lead and following up as needed; use A/P file naming required; research vendor statements, forward invoices requiring accrual processing to Director, etc.
• Payroll: Reviews extra-compensation for faculty and staff which includes verification of proper account code; confirm amount of payment, proper approvers are assigned, proper employee type is selected, and proper attachments are uploaded (i.e. agreements/contracts), etc; serves as liaison between departments & payroll staff for all follow-up required; etc. Could be asked to initiate extra-compensation forms for Financial Business Managers in support of their schools/Dean.
• Other Duties (1 of 2): will train/provide resources/info to school/areas faculty/staff as appropriate on accounting/procurement and other B&F processes; will serve as back-up to other accounting liaison roles during vacation/illness; assists with asset management and tagging processes; handles assigned research on escheatments;
• Other duties (2 of 2) as liaison will participate as needed in annual processes including year-end close, annual budgeting, annual ICD process, closing POs, tax compliance, etc; special research as needed with vendors with outstanding payment issues; staffs other accounting processes when other areas are short-staffed including handling deposits, handling reconciliations, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

An Associate's Degree is required; A Bachelor's degree in accounting is preferred.

A minimum of two (2) years of work experience in an accounting role that includes journal processing is required. Candidate with accounts payable experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate with work experience in a cohesive team environment is preferred. Candidate with familiarity with internal/external audits is a plus. Candidate with experience initiating and processing DocuSign documents is desired. Candidte with CPA or bookkeeping certification is a plus. Candidate with knowledge in PeopleSoft Accounting environment is preferred. Candidate must have a high-comfort level with technology. Must also demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Advanced Excel. Candidate with work experience or familiarity in higher education environment is a plus.

Candidate must possess strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Candidate with strong customer service orientation is required. Attention to detail is a must.

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration will be given to those applicants who apply by 02/07/2022.

Deadline to apply: 02/14/2022

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Must be able to sit for long periods of time.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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