Account Specialist

Account Specialist

Job no: 498217

Work type: Staff

Location: Big Rapids, MI 49307

Categories: Staff, Clerical

Position Title: Account Specialist

Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus)

Department:
38000 - CET Deans Office

Advertised Salary: $23.43. Hourly rate pursuant to FSU and CTA/MEA-NEA Agreement.

Benefits:


Comprehensive benefit package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

Clerical Tech Association (CTA)

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Temporary/Continuing: Continuing

Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time

Union Group: Clerical-Technical Association (MEA-NEA)

Term of Position: 12 Month

At Will/Just Cause: Just Cause

Summary of Position: The College of Engineering Technology at Ferris State University is seeking an Account Specialist to support the College's academic programs and operations. This position independently performs a variety of complex accounting and budgetary responsibilities, including reconciling financial activity between TouchNet, Banner, and other accounting systems.

The successful candidate will support effective budget planning and financial management across the College while conducting periodic reviews of departmental accounting practices to ensure consistency with University and College policies and procedures. Responsibilities also include communicating and implementing accounting procedures, identifying opportunities for process improvement, proposing procedural changes when appropriate, and assisting with the development and documentation of accounting policies and procedures for CET.

This position requires strong analytical and organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with internal and external constituents.

The anticipated start date for this position is September 2026. However, this is an estimated date and may be revised as needed.

Position Type: Staff

Required Education: Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, or closely related field, or equivalent combination of appropriate education and work experience.


Satisfactory completion of two years of college or equivalent.


The listed requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Equivalency for education: Two years of full-time, related work experience equals one year of education.

Required Work Experience: Two years part-time is equivalent to one year full-time.

Strong computer knowledge, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and web-based transactions. Previous experience using electronic record keeping system.

Required Licenses and Certifications:

Physical Demands:

• Office Environment
• Bending
• Carrying
• Moving
• Reaching
• Sitting
• Repetitive movement
• Standing

Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: Preferred: Higher education work experience. Experience with travel software and Banner.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Reports directly to assigned supervisor.

Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of designated information.

Performs all duties in compliance with application University policies and procedures and state and federal requirements.

Perform all duties as listed in Account Clerk 1, 2 and 3 position descriptions.

Balance a variety of transactions (Touchnet) to Banner as required.


Independently evaluate, analyze, investigate and resolve budgetary issues.

Collaborate with college administration on budget reporting, planning, and forecasting.

Identify and evaluate problems and propose solutions to budgetary procedural and policy issues.

Monitor compliance with various policies and procedures.

Spot checking to monitor compliance with various policies and procedures.

Serve as main resource for office accounting issues.

Assist with special projects and reports, assist auditors as required.

Attend meetings as assigned.

Recommend technology enhancements to improve the flow of financial information and systems.

Assist in developing procedures for department employees regarding FSU policies and help to implement them.

Differentiate between several types of funding to include general, designated, development, grant, project, and scholarships, and between base budget and self-funded budget.

Work with outside agencies including work on grants and contracts as needed.

Independently answer inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources, and provide explanation and interpretation of the policies, practices and procedures.

Administer control of Purchasing Card and prepare and /or oversee multiple payment reports.

Serve as a liaison between the Accounting, Purchasing, and Financial Services offices for department requests and inquiries. Serving as a liaison between the college and Academic
Affairs on budgetary matters.

Train clerical and administrative staff on accounting related issues including policy, procedures, and accounting applications.

Provide quality control by way of real-time monitoring and auditing of college accounting activities at all levels.

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.


Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.


Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.


Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.

Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: Recommend for hire, train, and supervise student employees as backup.

Skills and Abilities: Perform mathematical computations, recordkeeping, balancing and accounting duties with a high degree of accuracy.

Input, retrieve, download, merge, and output information from various software programs and systems.

Use computer software such as spreadsheets, database, word processing, and other office specific software.

Operate a variety of office machines and equipment such as computer, calculator, facsimile, multi-line telephone, and copier.

Plan, organize and make sound judgements and decisions.

Direct and train others in the performance of the characteristic duties.

Communicate effectively with a variety of students, faculty, staff, visitors, and external audiences in a variety of situations, both orally and in written form.

Work effectively under pressure and deadlines.

Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript 1

Optional Documents:

Special Instructions to Applicants: Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of an unofficial transcript of their degree. Transcripts must include the institution name, the applicant's name, the date the degree was attained, and the degree awarded. Finalists will be required to submit an official transcript.

Initial Application Review Date:
September 28, 2026

Open Until Position is Filled?: Yes

Posting Close Date:

EEO Statement: Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University's Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.

Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD.

Advertised: 11 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close:


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