Accounting Support/Financial Aid Spclst CL2

Statement of the job

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is looking to hire an Accounting Support/Financial Aid Specialist. This Accounting Support/Financial Aid Specialist will be an integral member of our financial team, providing outstanding customer service and extraordinary attention to detail and accuracy in the bookkeeping functions of Student Financials/Business Office as well as serving in Financial Aid functions.

The starting rate is $18.86 for a new hire or the appropriate transfer rate for a current employee within the ACSUM collective bargaining unit. In addition, the University will contribute up to a 4% matching contribution to the UMS retirement plan. Additional benefits ( Single Page Benefits ) include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents. The UMS is a recipient of the Wellness Councils of America’s Well Workplace Award and offers a wellness program.

Business Office Duties (Essential Functions) may include but are not limited to:

• Performing bookkeeping and administrative work related to accounts receivable and student financials, such as reviewing balances, posting transactions to accounts, responding to customer needs, maintaining and auditing accounts, and processing refunds.
• Operating a cash drawer, reconciliations, opening and closing cashiering, processing deposits, reconciling non-cash transactions, maintaining imprest funds.
• Handling verbal and written communication with customers and third parties for a broad range of questions, issues, and requests, and handling student account problems and related correspondence.
• Reconciling general ledger clearing accounts, TouchNet and credit card accounts, and processing journal entries.
• Ordering and receiving supplies if needed.
• May help prioritize and assign work to and monitor performance of work-study students and help train new staff.
• Provides front line coverage of Business Office window and phone and works closely with Financial Aid as needed.
• Monitoring student accounts and identifying and correcting errors.
• Running daily reports and reviewing for accuracy.
Performs other duties of a similar nature and level.

Financial Aid Office Duties (Essential Functions) may include but are not limited to:

• Preparing correspondence with students and guardians.
• Processing weekly Federal Work-study interfacing.
• Counseling students.
• Checklist management/receiving documents.
• Updating forms, web, handbook, catalog.
• Orientation information sessions, presentations as needed.
• Provides frontline coverage, assisting walk-ins and phone inquiries.
• Resolving complex and unusual issues.
• Training and overseeing student work-study positions.
Performs other duties of a similar nature and level.

Qualifications:

• Must have demonstrated customer service experience.
• Must pay great attention to detail and accuracy and have the ability to concentrate in a busy environment.
• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Two years bookkeeping/accounting experience or relevant post high-school education is preferred.
Will be operating office equipment and maintaining extensive knowledge of the appropriate computerized systems necessary for data entry, research, and reporting.

About the University

Located on the northernmost border of Maine, the University of Maine at Fort Kent is a career-focused campus offering relevant, experiential, academic programs and services with personalized attention. UMFK’s diverse student population enjoys the opportunity to live and learn in a beautiful, natural setting and a caring, friendly atmosphere where they thrive as engaged members of the community.

Our vision is that UMFK will transform students into professionals who have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to meet the evolving demands of a modern workforce.

Taught by full-time faculty, our average class size is 16 students to one faculty member. Our students come to us from throughout the United States as well as approximately 30 countries.

The great outdoor environment of the St. John Valley and forests of New England provide UMFK with abundant resources for learning and research, as well as easy access to the joys of outdoor sports and nature activities. The University and surrounding communities also play important roles in preserving, cultivating, and celebrating the Franco-American/Acadian culture in the St. John Valley and housing one of two Acadian Archives/Archives acadiennes in the nation. UMFK is the only institution in the United States located at the center of the French culture of northern Maine, eastern New Brunswick, and western Québec, offering opportunities for students to study and live in a bilingual region. The surrounding town of Fort Kent is a welcoming town of approximately 3,800 people who are active in various festivals, community gatherings, and civic work. UMFK is embedded near the center of town allowing easy access to amenities and the community at large.

UMFK ranks among the top tier of all northern colleges for the tenth consecutive year, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2021 rankings. For the past 15 years, UMFK has been repeatedly selected as one of the outstanding colleges and universities that The Princeton Review recommends to college applicants in its print and online editions.

The University of Maine System is an equal opportunity institution committed to nondiscrimination.