Accounting Associate IV

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27103 For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Peggy Kastella

peggy.kastella@montana.edu

406-994-5731

Classification Title Accounting Assoc IV Working Title Accounting Associate IV Brief Position Overview

Great opportunity in the Office of Sponsored Programs for a dynamic candidate with exceptional multi-tasking and organizational skills. The Accounting Associate IV in the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) advances the research mission of MSU by coordinating key aspects of the pre-award and post-award functions at OSP. As an accounting associate, the incumbent will provide direct financial and accounting support to a fast-paced central office within an exciting environment.

Position Number 4M0636 Department Office of Sponsored Programs Admin Division Office of Research and Economic Development Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Non-Exempt Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $21.99 - 27.49 hourly, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type Classified Salary If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The Office of Sponsored Programs serves as the central administrative entity responsible for approving research proposals to federal, state and private sponsors for external research funding and implementing awards resulting from these proposals, including associated regulatory and financial requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of federal, state, private and university regulations governing research funding is required. While this area of expertise is narrowly focused, if successful the impact on the MSU research community is increased grant funding along with enhanced compliance with relevant rules and regulations.
• Coordinating set-up of new grant awards and related matching funds; create electronic and paper records for new grant awards and maintain those records through the life of the grant utilizing Banner and electronic OSP applications. Includes managing award notification email process, reconciliation, file closeout and archiving.
• Review and monitoring of institutional expenditures on sponsored programs funds to ensure budgetary compliance.
• Oversight in processing a wide variety of administrative and financial approvals required by OSP.
• Accounts payable processing including pre-audit review and release payment via BPAs, Smart Buy, and Chrome River on all research related funds in accordance with federal, state and private rules and regulations, with specific emphasis on federal acquisition regulations and procurement laws to ensure financial compliance.
• Verify and process in Banner all payroll correction forms submitted by the MSU departments for all activity on sponsored project and facilities and administrative (F&A) funding.
• Application of Electronic Personnel Action Forms (EPAF) in Banner on sponsored programs and facilities and administrative (F&A) funded positions.
• Conduct detailed reviews and exercise independent judgment of subrecipient invoices to ensure costs are reasonable, allocable, allowable, and consistently treated in accordance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, university policy, and the terms and conditions of the subaward agreement.
• Analyze invoiced expenditures for alignment with the approved budget and variances, period of performance, indicators of financial risk, overspending, appropriate calculation of F&As, and authorized scope of work, identifying potential compliance concerns and escalating issues as appropriate.
• Verify supporting documentation and certifications required under the subaward agreement, including cost share commitments, necessary for payment approval.
• Collaborate with principal investigators, department administrators, subaward managers, and subrecipient personnel to resolve financial discrepancies, invoice questions, report deficiencies, and payment issues.
• Maintain detailed financial records and monitoring documentation to support audit readiness and demonstrate compliance with Uniform Guidance, sponsor regulations, and institutional policies.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Progressively responsible experience in accounting or related field.
• Demonstrated experience using personal computers and various software such as word processing (Word), spreadsheets (Excel), databases (Access), presentations (PowerPoint), Outlook and Internet.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience with fiscal software in a large organization (i.e. SCT Banner software, Banner Web and Financial Reports).
• Experience complying with Higher Education auditing procedures, operating procedures.
• Familiarity with state and federal regulations including OMB Uniform Guidance Circular.
• Experience working effectively with a broad range of constituencies such as university administrators, faculty, staff, students, and funding agencies.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Demonstrate excellent customer service skills for various customers, both internal and external to the organization.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of accounting procedures, to gather, analyze and summarize data and make recommendations.
• Demonstrate ability to exercise sound judgment in decision making and interpreting and applying policies and procedures with a diverse set of tasks.
• Accomplish many diverse tasks in a high demanding environment, with numerous interruptions, while maintaining a professional demeanor and positive approach.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills; communicate effectively with employees, students and the public, both in person and over the phone.
• Demonstrate self-motivation and ability to follow through, independently, on tasks and projects to completion.
• Demonstrate competence and maintain confidentiality, while processing information with a high degree of accuracy and close attention to detail.
• Represent the Office of Sponsored Programs and Montana State University in a professional and courteous manner.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on October 1, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).