Staff Jobs

Working Title: Academic Accounting Specialist
Requisition: 008459
Department: Haas School of Business – Business Services
Location: Main Campus- U.C. Berkeley
Salary: This is a full-time, one-year contract appointment, classified by the university as an Administrative Specialist.
Hiring range: $37,044 to $45,000 annual
First Review Date: 05/26/2008

This requisition will remain open until filled.

Job Description:

Reporting directly to the Manager of Haas Business Services, the Academic Accounting Specialist will specialize in short-term budget analysis, travel and entertainment and low-value purchasing processes for our faculty group. The Academic Accounting Specialist will be the primary accounting point of contact for all Haas academic reimbursement and payment requests. The customer service provided by this position directly impacts the Faculty Assistant group as well as a population of approximately 1,600 faculty and students at the School.

In addition, the Academic Accounting Specialist will support the functions of the Haas Business Services group through cross-training with the Contracts and Travel & Entertainment Analyst and the Procurement Accounting Analyst in order to provide assistance and/or backup when necessary.

This is a one year, contract position.

Responsibilities:

TRAVEL & ENTERTAINMENT ADMINISTRATION:

Provide review and approval functions within the administration of the Berkeley Travel & Entertainment System for all faculty travel and entertainment expense payments and reimbursements
Ensure the accuracy of payments and funding sources, compliance with University policies, and feasibility of payments within academic group budgets
Act as Advocate for Haas academic groups, communicating and cooperating with relevant campus departments and representatives to ensure the smooth execution of travel and entertainment expense payments and reimbursements
Audit and/or coordinate travel and entertainment transactions including purchase orders, employee reimbursements, and interdepartmental charges
Recommend and develop improvements to the Haas accounting system in order to simplify the travel and entertainment processes
Train Faculty Assistant group Preparers on processing travel and entertainment payment requests through the BFS and BAIRS systems
Research & resolve questions and issues related to the above responsibilities

PROCUREMENT ADMINISTRATION:

Provide review and approval functions for faculty purchases made within the administration of the Berkeley Financial System (BFS)
Ensure the accuracy of payments and funding sources, compliance with University policies, and feasibility of payments within academic group budgets
Act as Advocate for the Haas academic groups, communicating and cooperating with relevant campus departments and representatives to ensure the smooth execution of vendor payments
Audit and/or coordinate all faculty business transactions including vendor invoices, purchase orders, requisitions, employee reimbursements and interdepartmental charges
Recommend and develop improvements to the Haas accounting system in order to simplify the purchasing processes
Train Faculty Assistant group Preparers on processing purchasing payment requests through the BFS and BAIRS systems
Research and resolve questions and issues related to the above responsibilities

BUDGET AND POLICY ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:

Independently review, analyze, and administer departmental budgets for their assigned academic groups, ensuring accuracy and compliance with University policies and regulations as well as the individual terms and requirements of grant and endowment moneys
Act as policy specialist with regard to contracts and travel and entertainment expenses, purchases requiring requisitions, restricted items, purchasing contracts and service agreements
Recommend correct funding sources and appropriateness of purchases within University policy to cost center managers and BFS preparers
Support Haas cost centers with the annual school budget process through consultative service regarding expenditures and funding sources
Provide year-round consultative service in administrative management to academic group chairs using BFS and BAIRS queries, and through the creation and customization of budget reports in BAIRS and Excel
Budget maintenance and fiscal closing responsibilities for the School
Research and evaluate accounting discrepancies or inconsistencies, determine corrections as necessary and make recommendations to Business Manager on process improvements

UNIT CROSS-TRAINING AND BACKUP:

Support functions of the Haas Business Services group by providing assistance and back-up as required

Requirements & Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree plus 2 years administrative analysis or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Outstanding organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, ability to work with frequent interruptions (inquiries), and adhere to the many campus reporting deadlines
Ability to establish/maintain productive working relationships with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students
Thorough knowledge of fund processing, travel and entertainment requests and purchasing
Excellent oral and written communications skills are a must, and ability to work as member of a team
Ability to learn, use, and teach new computer applications effectively, including Microsoft Word and Excel, BAIRS, Berkeley Financial System, Berkeley Travel & Entertainment System and other programs.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

Experience working with faculty and administration in an academic environment
This position has been designated as sensitive and may require a Criminal Background Check. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of a Criminal Background Check

HOW TO APPLY:

UC Berkeley has an online applicant website and no longer accepts applications via mail. To apply, please visit http://jobs.berkeley.edu

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.

Haas School Staff Positions Currently Open