Accounting Specialist

The Accounts Receivables Shared Service Center provides one point of contact for SAP generated invoices and receivables. We are seeking an Accounting Specialist who will apply the principles of accounting for receivables for both sponsored awards and non-sponsored billings, interprets aged trial balance reports, performs data queries, communicates effectively with sponsors, identifies key issues and resolves discrepancies. Familiarity with and an awareness of the policies and procedures that apply to the accounts receivable's function are required to ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Job Scope/Complexity

Requires working knowledge of accounting principles, OMB Circulars, FAR, and other agency specific regulations and an understanding of the life cycle of an award. Under guidance, responsible for assigned customers to reduce the outstanding invoices, interacts with department finance staff/administrators and contacts at external agencies. Once priorities are set, performs tasks independently with regular process updates.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Manages accounts receivable data across the Johns Hopkins Enterprise for business areas, including open items, bad debts and aging reports.
• Monitors sponsored awards and non-sponsored billings for past due invoices and contacts the agency or customer for payment; follow up with Hopkins departments and awarding agencies to resolve billing problems.
• Prepares worksheets to analyze accounts receivables and records the results of communications with sponsoring agencies and departments.
• Communicates with sponsoring agencies, departmental administrators, Sponsored Research Shared Services and JHU Treasury Office personnel to identify and resolve key issues; responds to inquiries and checks accounting transactions to identify and resolve discrepancies, research unapplied cash and prepares journal entries to transfer to the correct account.
• Applies a working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to collecting outstanding customer invoices.
• Uses various software applications to assemble, manipulate and/or format data and/or reports, responds to inquiries from departments and sponsoring agencies concerning invoiced charges, disposition of disputed charges and researching of prior receipts that are not reflected in the account balances.

Provide customer service support to the user community

• Utilize interpersonal communication skills to address a wide range of questions from departmental personnel regarding sponsored awards in order to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Respond to inquiries from internal and external sources and review accounting transactions to locate and resolve discrepancies.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSA’s)

• Some familiarity with and an awareness of the laws and regulations that apply to an accounting function and are required to ensure compliance.
• Ability to understand the University’s accounting system, particularly with the grants management features.
• Proficiency in the use of financial software applications, databases, spreadsheets, and/or word processing.
• Ability to use various software applications, such as spreadsheets, relational databases, and graphics packages to assemble, manipulate, and/or format data and/or reports.
• Ability to exercise judgment in the processing and resolution of non-routine accounting matters while assuming responsibility for those decisions.
• Ability to interact with personnel from Departments, Offices of Research Administration, and Divisional Business Offices as needed and to be sensitive to the relationship between those areas.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
• Two years related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Classified Title: Accounting Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ATO 37.5/02/OE
Starting Salary Range: Min $18.00 - Max $33.50 HRLY (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Hybrid/JH at Keswick
Department name: A R Shared Services
Personnel area: University Administration

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:
JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.
**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate’s conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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