Student Accounts

Job Summary

The Business Office at Helena College University of Montana seeks a Budget Analyst I to join a dynamic and creative team. The position reports directly to the Executive Director of Fiscal Services.

Responsibilities

• Analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
• Provide advice and technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation.
• Perform technical/professional accounting work for the major fund groups used by the University.
• Manage and run student disbursements, prepare student refunds, and reconcile Pell and Direct Loans.
• Bill third-party agencies monthly for student accounts activity.
• Reconcile, track, report, and collect on outstanding debt.
• Prepare and balance accounting activity, maintain and reconcile accounting records for internal/external audit purposes, and resolve discrepancies.
• Perform various accounts receivable functions, including creating, reviewing, and coding invoices, entering payments, and balancing financial transactions.
• Absolutely assist with other accounting responsibilities as needed.
• Aid in the preparation of various financial reports, perform daily, monthly, quarterly, and yearly reconciliations of subsidiary and state ledgers to the University’s general ledger.
• Analyze data to determine and recommend bad debt adjustments.
• Prepare monthly and yearly accounting journals.
• Prepare various tax reports.
• Assist in the budget process, procurements, budgets, fixed assets fee schedules, and special projects as requested.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and work on projects independently, exercising initiative.
• Maintain University Finance policies for federal and state policy updates.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of relational database capabilities and data entry procedures.
• Associate degree in accounting, or a related field, and at least two (2) years of directly related experience in general accounting principles and procedures, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent public relations, interpersonal, and communication skills, including ability to work with diverse groups of individuals; experience working under pressure, handling conflicts, making decisions, and problem-solving.
• Expert in designing, building, and using Excel spreadsheets, excellent knowledge of Word including letter and document formatting.
• Experience in various reconciliation processes with attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• Excellent organization and prioritization skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Business Administration with course work in accounting or a combination of education and work experience will be considered.
• Experience with State of Montana or University of Montana processes and procedures.
• Experience with UM specific programs such as Banner, UMDW, and Grizmart.

Additional Information

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm schedule. Hours and schedule may vary depending on the needs of the program.

Benefits: Includes a comprehensive group insurance benefits program including medical plan options with prescription drug and dental plan, vision exam coverage, an employee assistance program (EAP), retirement plan, life and disability insurance options, flexible spending and dependent care account options, and optional long-term care insurance. Additional information on benefits can be found by visiting: https://choices.mus.edu/employees.asp.

Union Affiliation: FOCUS-MFPE

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Prioritization Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Complete Applications Must Include:

• A Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position.
• A Detailed Resume listing education and describing work experience.
• Three (3) professional references - names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Employment Eligibility: Must be eligible to work in the United States upon hire. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities.

For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.

UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.

Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.

The University of Montana offers a wide variety of benefits. Please visit the Montana University System Benefits website for full information or contact our office if you have additional questions.