Job Description

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Accounting Specialist

Job Level: 08

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives every employee brings to our community. As an Accounting Specialist with the Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE), you will play an important role in supporting the financial operations that enable excellence in education, research, and environmental stewardship across the Durham campus and Beaufort Marine Lab.

You will join a collaborative Business and Finance team dedicated to providing exceptional service and sound financial stewardship in support of faculty, staff, and students. This position reports to the Assistant Director, Business and Finance and is located on the Durham campus with a hybrid work option (3 days onsite) or fully onsite.

Be Bold.

The Accounting Specialist provides financial and operational support to the Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE), supporting the Durham campus and Beaufort Marine Lab business offices. The position is responsible for processing, reviewing, reconciling, and monitoring financial transactions; assisting faculty, staff, and students with financial processes; and researching and resolving financial issues. The Accounting Specialist serves as a key resource for day-to-day financial operations and works closely with Financial Management Analysts and Business Office managers at both campuses to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial activity.

What You'll Do

Financial Processing (70%)

• Coordinate and process financial transactions for the Nicholas School of the Environment, including purchase requisitions and orders, vendor payments, check requests, corporate card transactions, travel and out-of-pocket reimbursements, journal vouchers, and other accounting documents.
• Review transactions for appropriate funding, account coding, supporting documentation, and compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Monitor transactions through completion, proactively follow up on outstanding items, and research and resolve discrepancies as needed.
• Serve as a departmental resource for faculty, staff, and students regarding purchasing, reimbursement, travel, and other financial processes, and work closely with Procurement Services, Accounts Payable, Corporate Card/Concur, the Bursar, and other University offices to facilitate timely resolution of financial matters.

Administrative and Business Office Support (20%)

• Provide administrative and operational support to the NSOE Business and Finance Office, including monitoring shared email and Concur receipt inboxes, coordinating business meetings and events, assisting with office and University service-related accounts, and office supply needs.
• Respond to inquiries, prepare professional correspondence, maintain organized and compliant financial records, and perform other duties that support the effective operation of the Business and Finance Office.
• Present check payments securely and promptly to the University Cashiering Office for deposit.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and University service providers; communicate clearly regarding financial requirements and deadlines; and independently follow through on issues to ensure timely resolution.

Financial Reconciliation and Reporting (10%)

• Perform monthly reconciliations and monitor financial activity for assigned NSOE accounts, including student organization funds and other designated accounts.
• Research discrepancies, resolve outstanding items, and communicate with faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders regarding account activity and available balances.
• Assist the financial management team with account reconciliations, SAP cleanup, financial reporting, month-end and year-end activities, and other financial management activities as needed.

What You'll Bring

Education/Training

Work requires knowledge of general accounting principles, usually through two years of post-secondary education in accounting or a related business field.

Experience

Work generally requires 3 years of experience in an accounting setting to become familiar with the accepted accounting practices involved in maintaining more complex financial records, reconciling accounting information, and preparing financial statements.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles and financial practices, with the ability to review, analyze, and reconcile financial transactions and identify and resolve discrepancies. Strong organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet established deadlines, and independently follow through on assigned responsibilities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to establish effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and University service providers. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications. Experience with SAP/S4, Concur, WORKS/Bank of America, or other financial management and procurement systems is preferred. Ability to learn and effectively apply University financial policies, procedures, and systems.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll join a collaborative community committed to excellence, innovation, service, and lifelong learning. Your work will directly support the operational and financial success of the Nicholas School of the Environment while contributing to Duke's mission of education, research, and global impact.

Whether you're helping a faculty member complete a purchase, supporting a student's reimbursement, or ensuring financial records remain accurate and compliant, your contributions will make a meaningful difference every day.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply today and bring your accounting expertise, customer service focus, and commitment to operational excellence to one of the nation's leading academic institutions.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $20.00 to USD $27.15. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).