Senior Accounting Specialist, Federal Funds

Job Title: Senior Accounting Specialist, Federal Funds Location: Hybrid Regular/Temporary: Regular Full/Part Time: Full-Time Job ID: 62613 Department Office of Financial Aid Responsibilities The Office of Admissions is a unit within the Division of Enrollment Management, which is comprised of four distinct units: Office of Admissions, Office of the University Registrar, Office of Financial Aid, and Technology Operations. Enrollment Management’s integrated services provide distinctive support throughout the student's development and progression in their academic experience – from recruitment through commencement. Through collaboration, communication, and commitment, all units within Enrollment Management achieve the highest level of student-centered service to current and prospective students and families and to campus partners across the University. Manages and oversees the accounting and budgetary functions for Federal Title IV Funds for the Office of Financial Aid (OFA). Assists with State Programs, institutional and foundation funds. Responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive internal control program within OFA to ensure audit compliance and integrity with University, federal and state rules and regulations. Manages, analyzes, and monitors budgets for Federal Title IV funds disbursed within the Office of Financial Aid. Responsible for developing and maintaining accurate budget and financial records to properly account for transactions in the Office of Financial Aid student aid budgets. Performs analysis and reconciliation of federal funds and assures compliance with federal, state and university rules and regulations. Compiles and analyzes data of large batch departmental disbursements. Ensures accurate and timely daily, monthly, and annual financial reports to senior management of student financial aid budgets. Monitors financial data and activity to identify unusual activity and/or reports of discrepancies. Re-evaluates spending of budgets once disbursements are made to resolve reporting issues, errors, omissions, and discrepancies in a timely manner. Coordinates enhancements to existing reports and recommends automation opportunities to IT staff and administration. Assists staff in day-to-day issue resolution and monitors time-frame and work output for sensitive disbursement cycles. Responsible for reconciling and analyzing institutional and foundation funds. Knowledgeable in the accounting and budgetary functions for State Programs and able to support with the managing and analyzing of these funds as needed. Conducts internal audits within the Office of Financial Aid to ensure individual programs within the department are in compliance with University, federal and state regulations. Programs are assessed for quality assurance, compliance, and efficiency. Reviews internal controls and communicates results of audits to senior leadership. Develops recommendations to improve the effectiveness of financial aid programs. Reviews policies and procedures for assisting in the effective management of staff and budgetary resources to determine new trends and recommends, develops, and implements new procedures as needed. Identifies system enhancements in operations to recommend automation options resulting in over-all improvement of financial aid services and delivery of funds for students. Serves as liaison between Student Business Services, the Foundation and Federal/State agencies with regards to accounting and financial aid services. Participates in short-and-long-range planning and makes recommendations on financial and budgetary operations related to the business functions of the department. Qualifications Bachelor's degree and four years of accounting related experience; or a high school diploma/equivalent and eight years of accounting related experience. (Note: a combination of post high school education and experience equal to eight years.) Preferred Qualifications Experience with general accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting. Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of accounting, budgeting, and cost control procedures. Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Knowledge of electronic data processing as it applies to fiscal and accounting activities. Experience reconciling financial data. Ability to review and reconcile financial data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance. Applicant should be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships and should possess a strong sense of initiative. Experience with financial aid processes, systems, and reconciliation. Experience in applying proper auditing techniques to evaluate, docu