FINANCIAL SPECIALIST
#1411

General Characteristics:
A Financial Specialist is responsible for a) audit tracking and reconciliation of special fund accounts, b) review and reconciliation of account information for grants and contracts, c) billing and collections for student loans, grants or contracts, and/or d) leads the work of bargaining unit and hourly accounting staff; responsible, within established rules and policy guidelines, for maintaining financial and accounting records for such programs as accounts payable, accounts receivable, grants/contracts, payroll and KLCC/Foundation funds by preparing reports and reviewing documents for accuracy; uses computerized accounting systems to generate financial reports; assures clear audit trail by maintaining files of source documents and preparing journal entries to adjust accounts and reconcile balances; assists auditors by preparing audit schedules, pulling required documents and preparing requested reports; prepares billings and assures collection of monies due the College for general student, third party, loan programs and other accounts receivables; resolves questions on ac- counts, negotiates payment schedules or refers questionable expenditures to managers for further action; may lead the work of hourly and/or bargaining unit staff; may provide ongoing computer technology support; does related work as required. The Financial Specialist is distinguished from the Accounting Specialist by the greater independence and responsibility for establishing procedures, ensuring compliance with procedures, establishing audit trails, scheduling work, reconciling accounts, negotiating payment plans and/or approving loans and credit line applications. Work requires substantial knowledge of accounting/bookkeeping principles and procedures, analytical and mathematical skill, excellent organizational skill, attention to detail and accuracy in reviewing, reconciling and preparing financial records. Work requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills to resolve fund accounting and billing/collections issues, work with students, staff, agencies, vendors, debtors, board members, sponsors and donors and to advise individuals who may be hostile and abusive.

Examples of Work:
Maintains accounting records on revenues from all sources and special guidelines/restrictions on funds; checks and approves expenditures within established guidelines; compiles, analyzes and prepares reports of income and expenditures for Foundation or KLCC; maintains confidential sponsor/donor records; plans and coordinates special fund-raising events; creates and implements systems for processing pledges, premiums and in-kind contributions; tracks contracted underwriting announcements and produces the daily log for KLCC radio traffic; resolves scheduling conflicts and reschedules underwriting announcements when they are preempted by other programming; tracks amount to bill to each underwriting contract; prepares necessary affidavits and notarized correspondence for billing purposes. Reconcile's bank and trust account statements and accounts receivable and deferred compensation accounts; researches and resolves accounting discrepancies; prepares and posts journal entries to adjust accounts and reconcile balances; ensures that a clear audit trail for expenditures is maintained; generates a variety of financial reports.

Advises students regarding loan eligibility and responsibility, account status, appeals procedures, credit history, deferment/ cancellation requirements, loan repayment and exit interview requirements for student loans; reviews application with students and assists them with suggestions concerning budgets and debt management planning.

Approves and/or declines deferments, cancellations, postponement, hardships, forbearance, disability and credit-line loans according to College and federal policies and regulations; responds to requests for transcripts and release of credit history information on students; checks for completion and verifies information on loan applications; approves release of loan funds; processes bankruptcy claims and other litigation according to federal, State and College regulations; maintains complete and accurate financial information and documentation in files to comply with federal audit specifications.

Reconciles student loan accounts and initiates required corrections; audits reports and prepares necessary accounting adjustments; monitors satisfactory debt repayment agreements; locates borrowers and responds to noncompliance in accordance with federal due diligence requirements; refers loan accounts to Department of Education or appropriate collection agencies.

Prepares all information submitted to the billing service for data entry which creates student loan status ledger report; reviews and reconciles all account detail on ledger.

Monitors and prepares checks and check requests to transfer monies between NDSL bank account and Trust checking account for loan programs; monitors all past due accounts and determines which ones are to be assigned to appropriate agency for collection; prepares collection packet and reports each account to the credit bureau.

Coordinates the use of student charge services in the Bookstore; establishes individual student accounts in the amounts authorized by financial aid, student loan, dislocated worker program or other party sponsoring purchase of books and supplies; maintains student account records on all purchases, credits and current balance of accounts; verifies and checks receipts against cash and charge totals; checks and submits all intercampus and purchase orders, cashiers daily summaries, invoices, textbook loans authorizations and other forms; coordinates the repurchase of textbooks. Assures compliance of hourly employees and Bookstore Clerks with established policies and procedures; assists in preparing auditors' schedules; assists auditors by pulling desired documents; prepares requested financial reports for auditors.

Researches and processes requests from College departments, outside agencies and student billing service for account adjustments; notifies departments regarding errors in class scheduling affecting tuition and fee assessments; makes necessary adjustments.

Ensures procedures are followed for disbursal of all funds and that necessary records are kept; coordinates the day-to-day work flow of the operations counter for College Finance; schedules, trains and leads the work of cashiers; oversees the balancing and correcting of cashier's daily work from College Finance, Bookstore and Continuing Education; oversees the preparation of the Revenue Summary report.

Prepares reports, billings and requests for funds for grants/ contracts; reviews grant/contract expenditures for compliance with agency regulations, rules and accounting procedures; reviews budget documents and resolves problems with grant administrator or refers to a manager for further action; prepares and inputs
journal entries to re-code or move expenditures; reviews reports and Budget Change Requests for mathematical accuracy and proper coding.

Manages the daily operation of an office and provides administrative support to a supervisor, director and/or board; resolves problems pertaining to billing for pledges, underwriting or receipt of premiums; composes. and types reports and correspondence; establishes and maintains files of financial source documents.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting/bookkeeping principles and procedures in accounts payable/receivable, billing/collections or payroll; knowledge of federal and State grant/contract regulations; knowledge of Foundation or non-profit public broadcasting fund restrictions; knowledge of general office procedures and practices; knowledge of College fiscal policies and procedures; knowledge of federal rules and regulations pertaining to debt collection and bankruptcy; knowledge of and ability to use spreadsheet, database and word processing software and automated accounting/billing systems; skill in financial analysis and report preparation; ability to analyze and make decisions on complex bookkeeping problems; ability to interpret and apply College fiscal policies and applicable State and-federal regulations to the work; ability to initiate and implement more efficient procedures; ability to keep accurate financial records and provide an audit trail; ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines; ability to operate a ten-key calculator by touch; ability to operate other office equipment such as typewriter, microfiche reader/printer, computer terminal and/or microcomputer; ability to maintain confidentiality of records; ability to pay attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy; ability to work independently and make decisions; ability to perform arithmetic computations; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to organize and prioritize work; ability to maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, administrators, board members, donors, potential donors, sponsors, underwriters, vendors and outside agencies; ability to train, schedule and assign work to others as required by the position; ability to handle conflict situations and keep focus on facts and problem resolution; ability to drive a car as required by the position; ability to work safely.

Supervision:
Reports to and works under the general supervision of a division/department chair or other supervisor. Work is performed independently according to established fiscal policies and regulations. An Accountant or a KLCC Development Coordinator may assign work, provide work priorities and be available to answer questions or troubleshoot problems on a daily basis. Work is reviewed to assure conformance with policies and by results obtained.

This position may have responsibility to assign tasks, provide priorities, train and monitor the work of Accounting Specialists, Bookstore Clerks, hourly employees, student assistants and volunteers. Position may also have substantial input into performance evaluations and hiring decisions.

Minimum Qualifications:
Two years of post-secondary education with course work in bookkeeping or accounting is required. Two years of bookkeeping experience is required. Some positions may require specific job related collections fund accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, broadcast traffic and billing, payroll or public contact experience. A current Oregon driver's license may be required for some positions. Some positions in this class require that the employee be bondable.

Equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered qualifying.

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