About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
Under the general direction of the University Health Services (UHS) Accountant, the Accountant I is responsible for performing complex accounting functions to ensure the accurate and timely management of financial operations across University Health Services, including the Center for Counseling & Psychological Health (CCPH), the Center for Health Promotion (CHP), UHS Mount Ida, and other affiliated departments. This role involves reconciling accounts, preparing financial analyses, ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures, and providing professional guidance to staff on financial matters.
Essential Functions
- Perform reconciliations of a high-volume of corporate bank card statements and travel and non-travel expenses, ensuring accuracy, compliance with policies, and proper allocation to accounts.
- Monitor and analyze financial data related to travel reimbursements, employee expenses, and vendor transactions, identifying discrepancies and initiating corrective actions.
- Develop post-billing analysis reports to inform departmental financial decisions and improve operational efficiency.
- Prepare and maintain detailed financial records, reports, and documentation to support audits, financial planning, and departmental decision-making.
- Verify departmental encumbrance balances and prepare disbursement vouchers, intra-university payments, and recharges for on-campus vendors.
- Oversee the accounts payable process, including invoice processing, payment monitoring, vendor account reconciliation, and addressing outstanding balances.
- Manage transactions and reimbursements using Concur, PeopleSoft, and BuyWays systems, providing support and training to staff as needed.
- Serve as a liaison between UHS, vendors, and the UMass Unified Procurement Services Team (UPST), ensuring adherence to university policies and resolving discrepancies.
- Provide guidance to staff regarding university travel and expense policies, delivering training and support to promote understanding and compliance.
- Act as the primary contact for external auditors regarding travel, non-travel expenses, and procurement matters.
- Assist with interviewing, training, and supervising student and part-time accounts payable staff.
- Provide backup support for procurement functions, time and attendance tracking, and accounts payable operations during absences or peak periods.
Other Functions
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- High school diploma plus four (4) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional experience in accounting, auditing or a business-related field. An associate’s degree or higher in accounting, auditing or business-related field may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting including terminology with the ability to maintain financial information accurately and in good order using accounting concepts.
- Advanced and proficient computer skills with Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and other web-based applications.
- Ability to quickly calculate and electronically maintain ledgers, prepare invoices, produce complex documents/reports, perform analysis, and prepare related correspondence.
- Ability to work independently, accurately, prioritize workload, exercise sound judgement and follow through on assignments that involve complex details.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as financial reports, accounts and ledgers.
- Ability to organize work and to give oral and written instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
- Ability to audit and reconcile accounts; execute adjustments and correcting entries.
- Ability to deal tactfully with others, establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others from diverse populations and work in a team setting.
- Ability to use discretion in handling confidential information.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Experience in general clerical duties and working/applied knowledge of A&F systems as outlined above.
- Experience working in a health care environment.
- Working knowledge of UMASS Amherst organizational structure.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Typical health clinic office environment activity.
Additional Details
Qualifications Acquired on the Job:
- Thorough understanding of Administrative Services organization, concept of operation, account structure, and customer support procedures.
- Proficient knowledge of State and Trust Fund Accounting concepts, policies, and procedures.
- Detailed knowledge of campus customer organization structure, customer representative needs, and customer problems.
- Software proficiency in PeopleSoft, Concur, Buyways, and Summit.
Work Schedule
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
- 37.5 hours per week.
Salary Information
USA Grade 15
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please complete online application and provide cover letter, resume, and contact information for three (3) professional references.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.