Job Description

Johns Hopkins University Press seeks an Accounting Specialist who will be responsible for processing check and wire transfer payments and providing general accounting support to the Journals Customer Service Department. The Accounting Specialist will join a team of exceptional professionals committed to bringing the benefits of discovery to the world by providing global access, impact, and influence for the scholarship that we publish and distribute. This position will help to ensure that the Press is a leader in selecting and developing innovative ideas and scholarship, creating and embracing transformative technologies to enhance discovery and learning, and connecting people to the most trusted knowledge from global researchers, scholars, and educators.

The Accounting Specialist performs a variety of routine and recurring accounting tasks in the support of accounting departments. The Accounting Specialist will develop a familiarity with and an understanding of the various accounting requirements for a nonprofit, higher education organization.

The Accounting Specialist provides accounting support to the Journals Customer Service team and its customers through processing of check and wire transfer payments, batch management, preparation of financial reports, invoice tracking, and processing of chargebacks and returned checks. Contacts are internal and external, including regular interaction with the Customer Service team and Journals leadership, customers, banks, and the Press and university accounting offices. Action is independent within well-defined procedures and policies. This position reports to the Journals Customer Service Assistant Manager and is an interactive, operational part of the Press.

The Press is committed to honoring every person’s inherent dignity as human beings and making that the foundation of our organizational culture. We proactively find ways to ensure opportunities that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. We strive to publish courageously, giving voice to groundbreaking ideas. We support each other and our stakeholders and envision a future where knowledge enriches the lives of every person. The successful candidate will join a welcoming community that is inclusive and values the contributions and perspectives of individuals from all backgrounds.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain financial records and process related data.
• Monitor, verify, and reconcile accounts.
• Interface with departmental and University personnel to obtain and provide information to verify or support financial records and ensure compliance with established University policies and procedures.
• Prepare correspondence and answer inquiries regarding accounting information as required.
• Analyze accounting information and prepare reports and statements.
• Implement procedures for tracking of check and wire payments, batch management, and Journals Division collection activities; initiate accounting process improvements as appropriate.

• Verify check and wire transfer payments, prepare and assign order batches for customer service representatives, and prepare bank deposits for remote deposit.

• Research payment problems and monitor accounts as appropriate. Address customer and colleague escalations professionally and expeditiously.

• Process credit card chargebacks and returned checks.

• Process and submit refunds to the JHUP system.

• Register JHUP Journals in customer vendor portals and payment processing systems.

• Collaborate with Journals Publisher and Hopkins Fulfillment Service to track Journals invoices.

• Work with agents and CSRs to process imported orders, track their payment, and prepare reports to keep Journals management informed of renewal season activity.

• Weave diversity, equity, inclusion, and access principles into all aspects of the work.
• May coordinate the work of lower-level staff as assigned.
• Assist with special projects or tasks as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, effective time management, and analytic and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with a minimum of supervision, attention to detail, and accuracy.
• Adding machine and math skills, and familiarity working with various databases.
• Excel or spreadsheet experience, as well as the ability to work with and edit Adobe PDF documents.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, Zoom, etc.).
• Familiarity with scanning and remote deposit procedures.
• Experience with ticket management software a plus.
• Excellent critical thinking and communication skills.
• Outstanding problem-solving skills including using analytics to drive decisions.
• Creative thinker, embracing new ideas, passionate about developing the potential of Hopkins Press.
• Inclusive in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Excel in effective use of resources, keen self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or graduation equivalent.
• Two years of related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field.

Classified Title: Accounting Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ATO 37.5/02/OE
Starting Salary Range: $18.65 - $34.75 HRLY ($50,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus
Department name: Journals Fulfillment
Personnel area: Academic and Business Centers