Accountant I

Position Summary

The IT Finance team is responsible for managing, maintaining, and planning university account ledgers and budgets for MSU Information Technology. Following the MSU Manual of Business Procedures and guidelines s et forth by the Controllers Office, the team adheres to generally accepted accounting practices to manage IT expenditures and revenues accurately and efficiently.

Responsibilities include work relate d to the financial oversight of the unit and operations that support services provided to the campus community. The successful candidate will utilize problem-solving skills to effectively gather relevant information, communicate, and provide prompt assistance.

This role includes preparation of financial reports; compilation and verification of complex and specialized claims and transactions; creating and editing detailed spreadsheets, presentations and other financial information. Specifically:

• Maintain records, review purchasing card purchases, review daily income and expenses for assigned accounts and compare against annual budgets; audits vouchers and financial statements to ensure accuracy and validity.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing related to supporting the core business of multiple business lines, including budget development and monitoring; monitoring and approving expenditures in line with departmental budgets and university spending policies.
• Enters information into computers and into journal ledgers to maintain budget systems and status reports and calculate costs and changes in the budget.
• Compiles, verifies, and analyzes complex and specialized claims and financial information; creates and ed its detailed spreadsheets; creates and edits presentations; manages databases; monitors budget and expenses.
• Provides information on and interpretation of financial transactions and processes, salary and budget concerns and University and Departmental operational and accounting procedures and policies.
• Updates hardware, software, memberships, subscription maintenance items and track forecasted budgeting needs for same.

Michigan State University (MSU) is ranked #29 among public universities and #64 overall in U.S. News & World Reports Americas Best Colleges 2026. Located in East Lansing, three miles east of the states capitol, the MSU community includes more than 12,000 faculty, academic and support staff, as well a s over 51,000 students. MSU offers an extensive benefits package to its employees including health care, prescription, and dental coverage, an d a base retirement program with a University matching contribution, as well as basic life insurance.

In addition, MSU offers educational bene fits including a course fee courtesy program and educational assistance . MSU Information Technology provides the primary leadership for strategic, financial, and policy initiatives affecting information technology (IT) across MSU.MSUIT offers technology resources that support MSUs mission of providing education, conducting research, and advancing engagement.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in accounting; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work e xperience in financial statement and report preparation, general ledger accounting and budgeting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with government accounting standards, Kuali Financial System, SAP, and/or Query Studio. Ability to create reports, pivot tables and use advanced features of MS Excel.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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

Required Application Materials

Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions

Please provide three professional references knowledgeable of your work.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

www.tech.msu.edu

Bidding eligibility ends August 11, 2026, 11:55 PM