Accounting Technician

The Division of Administration and Finance is ultimately responsible for all financial and administrative activities of East Carolina University and its affiliated Foundations. The Division consists of Financial Services, Campus Operations, Information Technology and Computing Services, People Operations, Success and Opportunity, Environmental Health and Campus Safety, Auxiliary Services and various support activities related to the ECU affiliated Foundations. The Division is led by the Vice Chancellor of Administration & Finance. The Vice Chancellor is responsible for oversight of the policies, personnel, budgets, and administrative activities of all operations at East Carolina University and its affiliated Foundations. This division is a service provider in support of academic, research, and outreach missions of the University. Within the Division, Financial Services is responsible for financial activities of East Carolina University and its affiliated Foundations. The mission of Financial Services is: To provide for the financial needs of the University and its Foundations in a customer-oriented, friendly environment while assuring the proper stewardship of all fiscal resources.

Within the Financial Services Unit, Student Financial Services has three work units: the University Cashier's Office, ECU Collections, and the Student Accounting Office. The Cashier's Office is responsible for receipting deposits, processing payments in person, by lockbox, and on-line for all student obligations (tuition, fees, housing, dining, student health and other charges). The Cashier's Office is also responsible for processing delinquent payments for past due accounts and non-enrolled students. ECU Collections is responsible for leading the collection process on past due accounts (excluding medical and dental patient billings) and institutional loans. Student Accounting is responsible for billing students, third party vendors, adjustments to student accounts, third-party balance sheet reconciliations, refund & escheat balance sheet account reconciliations, and financial aid reconciliations. All offices require strong internal controls and must adhere to IRS, State of NC and University policies and procedures. These transactions are continually subject to audit by Internal Audit, State auditors, Foundation auditors, and IRS auditors.

The primary purpose of this position is to maintain, oversee and report returned student refund payments based on Federal, State and University policies and guidelines, as well as serving as the initial point of contact for face-to-face, telephone and email inquiries of the Student Accounting Office. The Accounting Technician analyzes student accounts in the Banner Student module and the Banner Finance Accounts Payable module for discrepancies, and assists the Director of Student Accounting with adjustments related to withdrawals, drops & processing errors to support the financial reporting efforts of the department.

This position utilizes a thorough general ledger accounting knowledge, interprets Federal Financial Aid guidelines & State of North Carolina policies, and is responsible for properly relaying information regarding policy and procedures related to third party vendors & veterans to internal & external customers. This includes a thorough understanding of the various provisions of all 3rd party vendor accounts to include Chapters 31, 33, 35, 1606 and 1607, as well as AmeriCorps, NC Department of Health and Human Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Veteran Readiness and Employment, and College Savings 529 Plans.

Additionally, the Accounting Technician reviews incoming wires for assignment to appropriate general ledger accounts as it relates to 3rd party vendor and student wire payments, as well as reconciling differences in payment postings and analyzing accounts for potential corrections. This position is also responsible for reconciling escheatments and for the return of federal financial aid funds related to uncashed refund checks.

Additional specific responsibilities of the Accounting Technician include, but are not limited to:

Job Duties:
Filing and Organization - Maintain electronic and hard copy filing systems for the Student Accounting Office. This includes maintaining the filing of all affidavits received by the Student Accounting Office for escheated accounts and student refund checks, as well as scanning & indexing records into Xtender related to returned refund checks, departmental adjustments, wire payments, journal entries and direct payment forms. The Accounting Technician is directly responsible for all records, both current and archived.

Adjustments to student accounts - The Accounting Technician supports the Director of Student Accounting in processing necessary adjustments to student accounts. Additionally, this position is responsible for the review of student withdrawal records and for applying adjustments as appropriate.

Account Review and Reconciliation - Review and reconcile ledger accounts for the escheat account as well as the return of federal funds related to refund checks that have not been cashed.

Customer Service - Serve as the initial point of contact for the Student Accounting Office for both students and parents. The Accounting Technician is responsible for responding to all communication received via the departmental phone line or email box, and will also assist face-to-face traffic with 3rd party and VA questions. Additionally, the Accounting Technician cross-trains to serve as the backup for the 3rd Party Reconciliation Accountant during absences and serves as the representative for the Student Accounting Office at Orientation events.

Refund Returns Management - This responsibility includes:

Additionally, the Accounting Technician assists with the monthly reconciliation of the Banner Finance ledger account for unposted refunds and is responsible for following-up on the status of all unclaimed returned refund checks, and for analyzing accounts based on origination of the credit balance that created the refund (assessing a Title IV or escheat return as needed).

Other duties as assigned.

High school diploma or equivalency and three years of experience in accounting work. Associate degree in business administration or accounting.

None

Experience with an advanced ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system is preferred, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. A customer service and/or banking background is also considered favorable, as is prior accounting experience.

None

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. If highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, final candidates are required to have their degree validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.