Accounting Specialist

Position Summary:

Under general supervision, but in compliance with established policies and procedures verifies and posts transactions to journals, ledgers and other records/systems. The Accounting Specialists balance daily settlements and reconcile general ledger accounts. This position also prepares reports and summaries for Management. They also assist with internal and external audits, and NCUA Examinations. This position requires an Accounting educational background and understanding of general accounting principles and procedures.

Work Arrangement - This position is an onsite or hybrid working arrangement, reporting to the East Lansing Headquarters 2-3 days per week.

Schedule - Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm Eastern Standard Time

An offer of employment with MSU Federal Credit Union and affiliates is contingent upon the agreed work arrangement (onsite/hybrid/remote) and work location. MSU Federal Credit Union may or may not be able to accommodate temporary or permanent changes to work arrangements or allow employment outside the city and/or state of residency in which the new hire resides at the time of offered employment.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary Range:
  • Accounting Specialist I: $55,000 - $77,875, dependent on experience
  • Accounting Specialist II: $61,000 - $88,492, dependent on experience
  • Senior Accounting Specialist: $68,000 - $99,111, dependent on experience
• 100% Company-Paid Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Long-Term Disability Premiums
• Up to 26 days of PTO within your first year, as well as Volunteer Time Off & 11 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with an immediate 2:1 Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Up to 12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Balance general ledger accounts and settlement reports pertaining to various Credit Union and related entities' products and services including but not limited to: Corporate Checks, Remote Deposit Capture, ATM and VISA activity, Shared branching and other transaction settlements.
• Post journal entries as needed to record financial transactions.
• Assist with month end close including journal entries and analyses as assigned
• Prepare general ledger reconciliations for assigned accounts on a monthly basis; work with others to clear outstanding items and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner
• Available to answer pilot calls and process email messages, faxes and synapsis events
• Assist employees from other departments within the Credit Union with accounting and settlement related issues
• Prepare and gather information for internal and external audits and NCUA Examinations
• Create processes to increase efficiencies in data collection and analysis across the department
• Participate in training activities within the department or branch and with the Learning and Development Department; such training helps to ensure staff compliance with Credit Union policies and state and federal regulations and laws
• Perform other duties and assist other employees, as assigned

Accounting Specialist II:

• All of Accounting Specialist I duties and responsibilities
• Balance general ledger accounts and settlement reports pertaining to various Credit Union and related entities' products and services including but not limited to: Mortgages, Card activity/exceptions, and transaction settlements.
• Research transaction exceptions identifying root cause issues and recommend enduring solutions.
• Provide assistance to Accounting staff when necessary to complete daily work
• Assist other staff, Management and Audit department with due diligence in reviewing financial data for integrity
• Review Credit Union and related entities' month-end financial statements to ensure accuracy of transaction posting; investigate variances over prior month
• Analyze and investigate Credit Union and related entities' budget to actual variances, identifying significant trends to management
• Remains current on industry specific knowledge obtained by attending seminars, research, and networking with others

Senior Accounting Specialist:

• All of Accounting Specialist I and II duties and responsibilities
• Assist with the development of the budget and forecast
• Preparation of Credit Union and related entities' financial statements in accordance with GAAP
• Assist with researching and implementing new accounting standards
• Preparation and review of Federal and State withholding and sales tax returns with sufficient knowledge to investigate issues identified in tax notices and recommend procedural changes as needed
• Represent department on project teams to update current or implement new products and services

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Accounting Specialist:

• Bachelor's degree, or working towards completion of degree, in accounting or other business related major or other relevant experience is required.
• Understanding of basic accounting principles, policies and procedures.
• Understanding of accounting systems and transactions.
• Detail-oriented and accurate
• Strong Interpersonal skills to work effectively with members, and employees at all levels of the Credit Union
• Excellent time management skills to handle fluctuating volumes of work
• Ability to work independently in a fast paced environment and manage time to meet deadlines
• Requires the ability to analyze problems, do necessary research to reach a resolution
• Must be able to work in Microsoft Office with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel preferred

Accounting Specialist II:

• All of Accounting Specialist I knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Requires good written and verbal communication skills to resolve problems or correct balancing issues
• Requires strong ability to analyze problems, determine a solution and present the recommendation to management
• Typically requires 2-3 years of accounting experience in the Financial Institution industry

Senior Accounting Specialist:

• All of Accounting Specialist I and II knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Typically requires 4-5 years of accounting experience in the Financial Institution industry
• Requires understanding of accounting principles, GAAP and FASB regulations
• Requires understanding of Federal and State tax regulations and reporting
• Requires understanding of financial reporting and budgeting software, Axiom software preferred
• Ability to present accounting information to other departments to resolve issues or communicate changes in processes

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• May be required to remain in a stationary position for an extended period of time.
• Ability to operate standard office technology, equipment and tools, which may include many hours of computer and phone usage.
• Occasionally needs to move about inside of office area
• Exposure to potentially hazardous condition, i.e. robbery. Receives detailed instructions and procedures to be followed to minimize the exposure
• This position is able to work in hybrid or onsite working arrangements.

Disclaimer:

• Note this job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and MSU Federal Credit Union reserves the right to change this position description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as MSUFCU may deem appropriate.
• MSUFCU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.