Salary: $17.53 Hourly
Location : Youngstown, OH
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: 202300168
Division: Finance & Business Operations
Department: University Bursar
Opening Date: 08/28/2023
Bargaining Unit Status: Association of Classified Employees (ACE)
Salary Grade: 37
Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
Summary of Position
The purpose of the Accountant-Examiner occupation is to review various transactions for given accounts, external audits, and/or program information to determine accuracy, completeness, compliance and/or the need for further processing relative to billings, federal or third-party reimbursements, collection of fees or payments, payment of claims, or bills and/or invoices.
The class works under direction and requires considerable knowledge of accounting and federal and/or state guidelines applicable to documents reviewed in order to process reimbursements for students or from service providers, or reviews and processes all billing to include addressing complaints from general public or makes changes and corrections to authorizations prior to billings being paid, or receives and responds to telephone and/or other inquiries concerning delinquent premium balances; communicates with appropriate department and/or agency for further collection efforts. Examines credit balance ledgers to include appropriate action necessary to include refunds, bad debt reversals, and/or account adjustments.
Position Information
Essential Functions and Responsibilities: 60% – Uses independent and guided judgement concerning processes, financial responsibilities, account status and account recovery procedures; identifies and exercises independent judgment in resolving problems; accesses information from a variety of sources to determine appropriate action.
Reviews payments received to ensure correct amount is applied to student accounts; reconciles reports; manually applies prior term receivable debits to account(s).
Analyzes and processes accounts and financial documents according to general guidelines and procedures; verifies accuracy and validity of accounting documents; determines appropriate actions based on review of information and application of general guidelines.
Works with Office of Veterans Affairs to ensure correct payment is applied; performs monthly reconciliation of any outstanding payments; submits a final report to the Controller’s Office for reconciliation with the University’s checking account.
Responds to inquiries from internal and external constituents concerning department or student accounts; provides general information to authorized parties; explains University and departmental policies and procedures.
Prepares and compiles material for financial and/or statistical reports; generates statistics. Prepares documents and/or enters financial data into spreadsheet; revises data as necessary.
Performs federally mandated return of Title IV Funds calculations on all students who withdraw from the University prior to the completion of 60% of the term.
Analyzes and revises complex student accounts receivables, etc. Explains complicated account activity to students/parents, counseling them on options available. Works in conjunction with, provides, and coordinates a wide variety of account information to other university departments.
Identifies students who are potential financial suspension candidates, monitors these accounts for activity, including payments or potential for payment. Counsels students and/or their parents as to the necessary steps to avoid financial suspension and the consequences of a financial suspension.
25% – Prepares and processes non-routine debit/credit memos, student refund checks, and financial aid refunds.
Assists in the preparation and/or processing of current and past due account statements, incoming/returned mail, replacement of lost/stolen/never received mailings. Assists department in the processing of incoming/returned billings and billing inquiries, data entry report preparation, audits, file maintenance, and other related duties as assigned. Assists in coordination of billing to minimize outstanding receivables.
Assists in resolution of miscellaneous account problems, completion of special projects, report audits, and preparation and file maintenance.
Prepares reports and performs fiscal analysis to effect payment of services. Reviews/approves billing requests, contracts, documentation, and rational behind request to ensure that standard accounting procedures are followed. Audits receivables and advises appropriate action regarding reversals, adjustments, and collections.
Inputs and updates data and generates monthly billings. Reviews accounts for payments, accuracy, and adjustment in premium charges.
Examines account receivable documents, aging reports and other special reports, and establishes rational behind the reports to ensure standard accounting practices are followed.
Takes appropriate action to generate refunds and creates Check Request as necessary.
Monitors College Credit Plus (CCP) and Youngstown Early College (YEC) accounts for enrollment status and action to take on specific accounts. Prepares CCP and YEC student accounts for exemption status.
Applies calculated write-off charges to individual non-student and/or student accounts.
Advises student and parents on the federal guidelines pertaining to FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act), loans, and the impact of Title IV awards and re-calculation when a student adjusts hours or completely withdraws.
Meets the federal “due diligence” requirements for communication.
Prepares assignment forms and verification packets for turnover of delinquent accounts to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the federal Department of Education.
Monitors third party account service provider for accuracy and compliance with federal guidelines and university policies.
Trains appropriate staff on regulations/compliance processes.
Analyzes month end reports, trial balance, and general ledger in order to balance and prepare all month end required reporting. Completes monthly balancing of transactions.
15% – Answers walk-in customer questions and complaints. Responds to Credit Bureau Disputes.
Communicates regularly with various collection agencies and credit bureaus to report and update payment status. Assists in the annual write-off of accounts.
Makes adjustments to student accounts for scholarships and/or awards paid by check request for 1098T purposes and reconciles to the general ledger.
Assists other departmental staff with student and non-student accounts. Assists during peak periods and extended hours by answering routine telephone and in person questions. Serves as back up for other departmental staff as needed and assigned.
Other Functions and Responsibilities: Performs other related duties as assigned.
Equipment Operated: Computer and all other standard office equipment.
Work Schedule: Typically, M-T-W-Th-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Supervision Exercised: None
Reports to: Business Operations Specialist 4
Qualifications and Competencies
Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures: None
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of: accounting; applicable state and/or federal regulations governing documents processed, reviewed, and/or prepared*; public relations*.
Skill in: use of a computer and all other standard office equipment, including a calculator and/or adding machine.
Ability to: apply principles to solve practical, everyday problems; gather, collate, and classify information about data, people, or things; complete routine forms and prepare standard reports and business correspondence; handle routine and sensitive inquiries from and contacts with other government officials, general public, claimants, and/or providers.
(*) Developed after employment.
Minimum Qualifications: At leasta bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; or two years of experience working in accounting, finance, or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications: Three or more years of experience in higher education.
At Youngstown State University we are committed to a comprehensive employee benefit program that helps our employees live healthy, feel secure, and maintain a work/life balance. YSU offers two options for medical plans, optional dental and vision insurance and life insurance. These plans are reviewed annually to maintain competitiveness while being cost effective. In addition, YSU offers tuition remission, 403(b) and 457 retirement planning options, as well as state pension programs and optional voluntary life insurance benefits.
Medical Mutual of Ohio Medical plans
Dental Benefits
Vision Benefits
Group Life Insurance (University Sponsored and Voluntary)
Group Long Term Disability (University Sponsored and Voluntary)
Flexible Spending Account
Health Savings Account
Tuition remission
Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Initiatives
Sick Leave
Vacation Accrual
Paid Holidays
State Retirement Programs
403b and 457b Voluntary Retirement Options
01
Do you have a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; or two years’ experience working in accounting, finance, or a related field?
- Yes
- No
02
What is the highest level of education that you have attained?
- Did not complete high school.
- High school diploma/GED or equivalent
- Some college
- Associate’s degree
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree
- Post doctoral degree
- Juris doctor degree
03
Please describe your related experience.
Required Question