Financial Program Assistant

Financial Program Assistant

Are you a detail-oriented professional who enjoys working with numbers and building strong working relationships? The Accounts Payable department at South Dakota State University is seeking a Financial Program Assistant to join our team. In this role you will help ensure proper and timely auditing, review and approve payments, and ensure compliance with state, federal and university regulations. This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota.

The Accounts Payable Department is responsible for the timely and accurate processing and recording of payments to outside vendors, ensuring compliance with University guidelines as well as state and federal regulations. This role is essential in maintaining smooth financial operations and supporting the University's commitment to efficiency and transparency in its financial practices.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Responsibilities:

This position involves understanding the operations of South Dakota State University's Accounts Payable (AP) function, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures from the State of South Dakota, South Dakota Board of Regents, and the University. Responsibilities include serving as the primary auditor and approver for direct pay invoice documents, assisting the AP team with processing payment cycles, and serving as a backup for Contracts+ and encumbrance processes.

Benefits:

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university's guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of: State, SDBOR, and University policies and procedures Allowable expenditures across university funding sources Skill & Ability to: Demonstrate strong organizational skills Effective time management Provide excellent customer service Communicate effectively and practice active listening Use technology and software proficiently Required License: Valid driver's license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

Application Procedures:

This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university's verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check. SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Posting Date - 09/17/2026

Closing Date - 10/09/2026

Open Until Filled - No

Advertised Salary - Position is commensurate with qualifications, minimum of $21.41, plus benefits

Duration of the Term - Permanent

Appointment Percent - 100

Work Hours - 8-5

This position requires - Travel, Overnight stays, Valid Drivers License

Department Description and Cultural Expectations - SDState is the state's largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement - South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Contact Information - For additional information regarding this position or questions about the online application process, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Working Conditions:

Cognitive Requirements: Analyzing, Comprehend, Intense Customer Interaction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Pace-fast, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Protective Clothing/Equipment: n/a

Physical Requirements: Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Lifting moderate, Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands, Walking

Sensory Requirements: Hearing, Near Vision, Peripheral Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures: Office Environment

Supplemental Questions:

1. * Where did you hear about this position?
   • LinkedIn
   • SDBOR Employment Site
   • South Dakota Department of Labor
   • Employee Referral
   • Department Announcement / Inside State
   • Handshake
   • Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
   • Industry Conference
   • Search Engine - Please specify
   • Employment Agency - Please specify
   • Newspaper - Please specify
   • HigherEdJobs.com
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please specify
   • Radio - Please specify
   • APLU
   • List Servs - Please specify
   • Alumni
   • Other - Please specify

Documents Needed to Apply

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Reference List