Business Manager

Position Function:

Manages and coordinates the business operations of Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) Administration. Performs duties required to maintain and administer departmental budgets; administers staff policies and/or procedures; compiles reports; performs administrative procedures. Accounting knowledge is critical to successful function in the position.

Salary Grade:  15

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

See mafes.msstate.edu

Anticipated Appointment Date:

November 2024. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Maintain department/unit budget and provides budgetary reports to senior management within the unit. [This will include the ability to develop queries (Excel or other IT programming tools) for ad hoc reporting.]
2. Coordinate with all MAFES departments to process financial and personnel transactions. Communicate with the Controller’s office, Procurement and Contracts office, and prepare interdepartmental transfers and budget transfers between budgetary units as required.
3. Reconcile and balance financial records with the Controller’s office on a regular basis, audit financial records for accuracy, availability of funds and conformance to University and departmental policy and procedure.
4. Participate in management of federal funds and all associated reporting.
5. Participate in management of state appropriations.
6. May participate in development, implementation and maintenance of policies, objectives, short and long-range planning; develops and implements projects and programs to assist in the accomplishment of established goals.
7. Communicate with staff and all MAFES departments concerning business matters and advise of proper procedures. Stay abreast of University financial and personnel policies and procedures.
8. Participate in the development and implementation of MAFES-wide programs and projects consistent with organizational objectives, contractual arrangements, and/or funding availability.
9. Assist in preparing annual budgets based upon previous year's expenses and future requirements.
10. Assist with financial system design.
11. Design and implementation of ad hoc financial and personnel reporting and analysis.
12. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or other appropriate discipline.

Experience: 1 year directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Rank and salary will be commensurate with education and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

IT experience (familiarity with programming logic, specifically Crystal Reports query tool)
Bachelors and/or Master's Degree in Accounting
3 years experience in accounting.
Banner familiarity.
PageUp System experience
Microsoft products (SharePoint, Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
Knowledge of Federal rules governing expenditures
CPA

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Ability to develop queries (IT programming logic) for ad hoc reporting.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Knowledge of customer service principles, techniques, systems, and standards.
• Skill in budget management.
• Knowledge of faculty and/or staff hiring procedures.
• Knowledge and understanding of business management principles and practices.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Skill using BANNER system.
• Ability to develop and maintain record keeping systems and procedures.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• No or very limited physical effort require