Student Finance Assistant (Student Position)

Location: Big Rapids, MI 49307
Advertised salary: $14.00 per hour

Summary of Position

The Student Finance Assistant will gain hands-on experience within the Finance Division, supporting operations across Treasury, Purchasing, Accounting, Budgeting, and Accounts Payable. The intern will assist with daily financial processes, internal controls, reporting, and cross-departmental coordination while developing an understanding of institutional financial systems and compliance standards.

Requirements

• Current enrollment in a Finance, Accounting, or Business-related degree program at Ferris State University.
• Basic knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Analytical thinking with the ability to interpret data and solve problems accurately.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
• Capable of accurate and efficient data entry and retrieval from financial systems.
• Willingness to learn and follow departmental policies, procedures, and internal control standards.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial information.
• Previous office or customer service experience is preferred but not required.
• Availability to work during summer terms is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily cash management activities, including monitoring bank activity and supporting cash positioning processes.
• Support bank and general ledger reconciliations by reviewing transactions, identifying discrepancies, and organizing supporting documentation.
• Assist with preparation and processing of ACH payments, wire transfers, and other electronic payment activity in accordance with established internal controls.
• Review invoices, purchase requisitions, and supporting documentation for completeness, proper approvals, and policy compliance.
• Support vendor onboarding processes, including collection and maintenance of required tax and compliance documentation.
• Assist with preparation and entry of journal entries under supervision.
• Support month-end and fiscal year-end closing processes by compiling documentation and verifying financial data accuracy.
• Assist in maintaining accurate financial records within enterprise financial systems.
• Support preparation of financial reports, budget summaries, and variance analysis.
• Assist with tracking budget-to-actual expenditures and maintaining organized budget documentation.
• Respond professionally to internal department and external vendor inquiries regarding payment status or financial processes.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical financial records in accordance with record retention guidelines.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives and documentation updates related to financial procedures and internal controls.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of financial, vendor, and organizational information.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Finance Division operations.

Pay

$14.00 per hour