Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26445
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Ryan Christensen
406-994-1953
ryan.christensen8@montana.edu
Classification Title Accounting Assoc III
Working Title Student Accounts Associate
Brief Position Overview
Use your customer service and accounting skills to assist our students and parents with meeting their financial obligation to MSU . Preparing refunds to students, assisting with university withdrawal processing, and managing the Third Party Sponsor accounts will round out your day!
Position Number 4M0388
Department Student Accounts
Division University Business Services - Financial Services
Appointment Type Classified
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Non-Exempt
Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE
FTE 0.75 - 1.0 FTE
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary $24.59 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type Classified Hourly
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
Responsibilities include providing accurate and specialized information and services to students, parents, staff and the public. Maintain accurate student accounts for billing and refunding; placing and monitoring hold on students accounts. Review, monitor and process University Withdrawals; review and process student refunds and PPLUS loans. Monitor, evaluate and reconcile Third Party Sponsor Accounts; bill and collect current and past due Third Party Accounts.
Duties and Responsibilities
Customer Service
Provide exceptional customer service and represent Student Accounts in a knowledgeable and professional manner for student, parent and public inquires via telephone, email and walk-in. Provide guidance and solve problems as needed.
Provide accurate information regarding fee payment, holds, balances, Student Account office policies, procedures, and deadlines.
Review and process student refunds including Parent PLUS loan refunds.
Process and finalize student University Withdrawals.
Adjust as needed to maintain accurate accounting of funds to be paid or refunded.
Accounts
Reconcile Banner balances for Third Party billing.
Research errors and process corrections.
Process special handling to meet sponsor's requirements.
Analyze current services and suggest innovative improvements to facilitate easier readability of general bill and make it applicable to a wider range of clients.
Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Progressively responsible accounting or bookkeeping experience which includes significant processing and tracking of expense or revenue transactions or other detailed financial data.
Customer service work experience requiring frequent interactions with a wide variety of constituents via phone, email and/or in-person. Experience creating positive interactions with challenging topics.
Experience organizing and prioritizing workloads, meeting deadlines, and adapting to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective and professional approach.
Experience using spreadsheet, word processing, and e-mail software.
Experience interpreting, explaining, and maintaining compliance with policies and procedures.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Two years of post-secondary education in accounting or related field plus three years (or part-time equivalent) of progressively responsible accounting experience or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Knowledge and experience with Excel.
The Successful Candidate Will
Embrace and adapt quickly to changes in priorities, processes and work environment with a positive attitude.
Prioritize and organize work effectively with minimal supervision to deliver multiple assignments accurately and on time.
Be highly organized with great attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in work product.
Be forward-looking, able to anticipate problems and proactively address them.
Have the ability to see the big picture and interpret data to discover the root cause of problems.
Maintain confidentiality of records and sensitive information.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with outside agencies, students, community members and co-workers in a team-oriented environment.
Provide exceptional customer service and represent Student Accounts and the University in a positive, professional manner.
Demonstrate excellent, professional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to accurately interpret and courteously explain policies and procedures.
Exercise initiative and independent judgment in solving complex problems and in interpreting and applying policies and procedures.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed in this description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date At the conclusion of a successful search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on June 30, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
