Accountant II - Fiscal Specialist - Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) - Hybrid Opportunity

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

About Research & Engagement

The UMass Amherst community engages more than 31,000 students, 1,400 faculty, and 5,000 staff in 11 schools and colleges with a wide variety of degree programs, research, and public service. More than 800 faculty lead sponsored research projects in many areas from basic to applied that are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources with expenditures of more than $240 million in 2023.

Job Summary

The Accountant II, Fiscal Specialist, in the Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) is responsible for various fiscal functions of the IALS Core Facilities, including accounts receivable, procurement, and customer onboarding.

In addition to these duties, the Fiscal Specialist also assists the Fiscal Manager and the Director of Finance & Operations with reporting, training, and supporting process improvement initiatives.

Essential Functions

Main Responsibilities:

• Maintains and ensures accuracy of the financial data in the Corum system, including payment sources, AP contacts, and invoice information.
• Prepares financial reports utilizing various systems.
• Develops and maintains Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documentation for accounting processes and assists Fiscal Manager with training staff and users.
• Works with Fiscal Manager on process improvement initiatives and projects. Identifies opportunities for efficiencies and automation. Recommends courses of action to management on new systems and process updates. Assists in training staff on updated financial projects, policies, and procedures.
• Assists Director of Finance & Operations and Core Facility staff with managing post-award procurement and reporting.
• Interprets university and state and federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures for financial operations and accounting systems and ensure adherence. Interacts with users as well as Core Facility staff to explain policies and procedures as necessary.
• Works with departmental staff and acts as liaison with vendors, subcontractors, and other external agencies to prepare, maintain, and process necessary documents for purchase orders, contracts for services, and sole source documentations.
• Assists Fiscal Manager and Director of Finance & Operations in gathering comparables and other data points for use in rate setting for specific Core Facility service lines.
• Completes special projects assigned by the Fiscal Services Manager or Director of Finance & Operations.

Additional duties:

• Performs monthly invoicing for IALS Core Facilities. Addresses invoicing disputes in a timely manner and interacts with faculty and facility users regarding order disputes and funding adjustments.
• Collaborates with Core Directors and other staff on joint accounting and customer contracting activities.
• Intakes and deposits funds from external core facility users. Posts journal entries for internal billing. Ensures internal and external billing reconciliation is complete and accurate.
• Addresses non-payments with external customers according to IALS and university collections policies.
• Archives financial documents and transactions according to university, federal and state guidelines.
• Serves in a back-up capacity for other department staff.

Other Functions

• May supervise 1-2 students.
• Attends training sessions, workshops, and meetings to develop and maintain skills and knowledge of policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• High school diploma and four (4) years of accounting or related experience. Associate's degree or higher in accounting, business administration, or related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
• Strong computer, data management, and analytical skills.
• Advanced level of experience with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills and the ability to interact comfortably with a diverse group of people including faculty, students, staff, administrative personnel, and vendors.
• Ability to act proactively and independently, set priorities, multi-task, and perform well under time constraints.
• Willingness and ability to quickly learn new skills.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Experience with data retrieval systems.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours per week.

Salary Information

USA/MTA Grade 16.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide 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.