Salary Range:
$55,000 – $60,000
About SMU
SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.
SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.
About the Department:
The Student Center & Activities department (STUACT) advances student development and success through support for extracurricular involvement in undergraduate and graduate student organizations. STUACT also contributes to a vibrant campus culture through leadership development, traditions-based, and community-building programming.
About the Position:
This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
The staff member manages the SMU Students Association Comptroller’s Office and is charged with the accounting, accounts payable, banking, cash flow forecasting, escheat reporting, financial statement preparation, and tax reporting for the Student Senate and 300+ student organizations. The staff member works with the Student Center & Activities team to advise and support student organizations and their events and to encourage student involvement. Duties include supervision and training of student staff, monitoring compliance with University accounting and fiscal policies, detailed handling of financial activity/transactions, and training for organization leaders. They respond to stakeholders’ inquiries and communicate policies and expectations on the proper usage of the Comptroller’s office. The staff member is a member of the Student Center & Activities team and works in service of the departmental mission and divisional strategic plan.
Essential Functions:
- Manages weekly check request process; ensures accuracy of banking records (2500+ transactions/year); account inquiries and reconciliations; deposits, sales tax, and 1099 reporting; cash flow projections for budget funding; research/report unclaimed funds; campus lead for “SMU360”, campus engagement platform E-stores; reconcile/transfer student groups’ gifts from SMU to the student comptroller bank.
- Hires, trains, and supervises student staff, including management of job tasks and schedules. Advises the Student Senate Finance Chair, Finance Committee, and Student Body Treasurer in their work with the Comptroller’s office. Develops, maintains, and communicates procedures.
- Responsible for annual preparation and reporting of Student Senate financial statements. Establishes year-end close calendar in conjunction with the University Controllers Office and initiates required tasks. Serves as point person for internal control evaluation each year in conjunction with the annual audit of SMU. Responsible for managing the information needed for the annual Agreed Upon Procedure (AUP) engagement.
- Develops materials and presents at training sessions to educate student organization officers and campus partners on office policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
A Bachelor’s degree is required. A degree in finance or accounting is strongly preferred. A degree in higher education or student development is preferred.
A minimum of one (1) year of experience is required. Finance/Accounting work experience and/or education is strongly preferred. Experience in a college setting and with student organizations is preferred.
A CPA/MSA is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate knowledge of fund accounting, accounts payable, bank reconciliations, and financial statement preparation is required. Basic knowledge of accounting, tax reporting and escheatment is preferred.
Candidate must demonstrate strong organizational and administrative skills, attention to detail, a customer service mindset, and the ability to teach/train others.
Candidate must demonstrate strong verbal and interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships – especially with college populations.
Candidate must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, experience with Sage accounting software is highly preferred.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
- Sit for long periods of time
- Stand
- Handle objects (dexterity)
Deadline to Apply:
This position is open until filled.
EEO Statement:
SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU’s retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn’t just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
