POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Finance and Accounting Specialist, Community and Global Partnerships
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 4066
GRADE 43
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR International Financial and Operations Manager
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Finance and Accounting Specialist (Community and Global Partnerships) maintains financial controls and financial recording policies and procedures to ensure accurate accounting, planning and oversight for finances and budgets within the Division of Community and Global Partnerships, including economic development, international programs and research administration. This position provides financial reports and information on budget policies and procedures to assist and support MSU China operations and collaborative programs with international partner institutions. The Finance and Accounting Specialist manages international payroll and international tax software responsibilities to ensure accurate documentation and reporting in compliance with federal regulations.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, or related business field is required. A Master’s degree, or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: At least two years of accounting, financial analysis, or budgetary experience is required. At least one year in a supervising role with international accounting experience is required. Accounting and/or budgetary experience in higher education preferred. Experience working with grant finances and/or grants accounting is preferred. Documented proficient experience in computer related accounting software, business planning/operations, or financial analysis software is required.
Skills: A high aptitude in accountancy and a demonstrated ability to work with international exchange of currency is required. Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Excel and the ability to develop spreadsheets and management reports using graphs and charts are required. Demonstrated experience with word processing and database software programs is required. Verbal and written fluency in both English and Mandarin Chinese is required. An understanding of both U.S. and Chinese higher education administration and finance is required.
Effective interpersonal communication, organizational, administrative, and decision-making skills are required. The ability to initiate and follow through with work responsibilities and to meet deadlines with a minimum of supervision is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Reports on the financial position of units within the division, international partnerships, and joint venture partnerships in areas of income and expenditure based on past, present, and forecasted operations by overseeing the collections, organization, and analysis of financial data.2. Develops and maintains a thorough understanding of the University’s accounting and financial policies and procedures and may be responsible for providing training and financial services to a particular University unit or cost center.
3. Maintains accuracy of financial data, and ensures budget numbers, expense codes, journal entries and budget adjustments are recorded correctly. Reviews accounts for discrepancies and reconciles differences, as needed, and provides oversight to all financial matters.
4. Analyzes division operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations to project future revenues and expenses.5. Manages daily accounting tasks following university policies, generally accepted accounting practices, and international financial reporting standards.
6. Provides financial reports and information on budget policies and procedures to assist and support operation of the LNU-MSU College of International Business (China Branch Campus).
7. Works with foreign partner institutions to facilitate invoicing and payments for MSU International Leadership and Training Center programs, specifically in support of China partnerships.
8. Understands and interprets the exchange of foreign currency to U.S. currency and prepares financial reports and entries using this information.
9. Manages international payroll responsibilities, including meeting with new international faculty, staff, and student employees to complete I-9 documentation, and oversee completion of federal and state tax forms and any treaty agreements; ensures all forms are complete and disseminated to the appropriate departments in a timely manner.
10. Utilizing international tax software database, monitors visa and documentation end dates to ensure compliance with federal regulations and monitors number of hours worked by international students to ensure work hours limit is not exceeded, as mandated by federal regulations.
11. Maintains accurate records within international tax software and acts as database administrator for international tax software database.
12. Supports MSU efactory financial management in conjunction with the Executive Director, assisting with budgeting, grants recordkeeping, compliance reporting, and interactions with Financial Services.
13. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, and attending professional development courses and other training as required.
14. Contributes to the overall success of Community and Global Partnerships by performing all other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned, maintaining high levels of accuracy, and maintaining a professional demeanor and appropriate levels of confidentiality.
SUPERVISION
The Finance and Accounting Specialist (Community and Global Partnerships) supervises full-time and part-time employees, graduate assistants, and student employees as assigned.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2025