ASSOCIATE ACCOUNTANT/ACCOUNTANT

Responsible for providing financial accounting support for the university community.

This includes ensuring the university is in compliance with

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements and federal and state accounting related laws and regulations such as the IRS and/or the Uniform Guidance. Developing accounting related policies and procedures and ensuring the university community is adhering to them.

Analyzing accounting records, reviewing department transactions, preparing accounting reports, providing SAP system training and completing special projects.

Required Qualifications

• Associate Accountant: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• In-depth experience utilizing Excel, and other MS Office functionality.
• Demonstrated organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, project a positive image and work effectively in a team environment.

Accountant

All qualifications listed for an Associate Accountant, plus:

One year of qualifying experience in accounting or finance.

Experience with an ERP accounting system

Advanced experience utilizing Excel, and experience with other MS Office functionality.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with fund accounting.

Experience working in a higher education environment.

Demonstrated ability in ERP system report writing.

Demonstrated knowledge of SAP.

Ability to adapt quickly to changing business priorities.

Strong technical and analytical skills.

Experience testing information technology systems.

Experience with financial administration and reporting for research grants and clinical trials.

Duties & Responsibilities Associate Accountant:

Monitors, reviews and analyzes financial data for all transactions flowing through the assigned funds. Fund assignments may include one or more of the following funds: General, Designated, Auxiliary, Expendable Restricted, Endowment, Plant, Agency, Retirement & Insurance or Treasury.

Reconciles university-wide bank accounts monthly.

Researches GASB pronouncements and develops university policies and procedures to ensure compliance with such pronouncements.

Researches IRS publications and prepare tax forms as needed.

Researches discrepancies and assist departments in preparation of their annual budget reports; resolve problems in regard to accounting issues.

Prepares detailed financial statements for the assigned funds along with supporting documentation and variance analysis.

Prepares and provides schedules, analysis and reconciliation reports to internal, external independent, state and federal auditors.

Assists departments in meeting their accounting and auditing requirements for assigned funds. This may include federal, state or private grants and contracts, PBS or NCAA.

Creates chart of accounts master data in SAP, update data sets for all financial reports and communicate and/or train departments on impact.

Tests semi-annual updates to SAP financial modules (Finance, Funds Management, Controlling, Grants Management, Asset Management, Materials Management, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable).

Collaborates with OIT and other departments to develop and test new functionality in SAP.

Provides SAP training to employees.

Develops and prepares specialized SAP reports for senior management and campus departments. Complete SAP month end close procedures in the financial system.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Accountant

Performs all duties and responsibilities of the Associate Accountant with limited supervision, plus:

Performs more complex and in-depth analysis with increased confidence and proficiency, and professional judgment.

Exercises greater discretion in resolving accounting issues and recommending solutions.

Supervision Exercised None.

Message to Applicants Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards.

You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position. Cover letters should be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

This is an on-campus position located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and requires regular in-person attendance.

This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials on or before November 23rd, 2026.

Employee Group Professional & Administrative -Salary

Staff Pay Level

Pay Range $50,000 - $65,000

Division Finance and Administrative Services

Department Accounting Services

Position Status Provisional

Position End Date 12/31/2029

Employment Status Full-Time

FTE 1.0

Position Type 12 month

Weekly Work Schedule Mon - Fri, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. / Evenings and weekends as necessary

Location Mount Pleasant, MI

About the Department The department is committed to providing high-quality service and support to the Central Michigan University community. Team members work in a fast-paced environment that requires a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence.

Success in the department is built on both collaboration and individual initiative, requiring employees to work effectively as part of a team while also being self-motivated and accountable for their responsibilities.

About CMU Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.

We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs.

Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.

Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.

Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

CMU Leadership Standards Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.

We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.

Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.