Accounting Technician – Equipment Inventory Management

Job Description

Accounting Technician | University of Southern California

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at the University of Southern California, located in Los Angeles, CA. USC is a leading institution with over 140 years of history, shaping the future of higher education. This role supports the integrity of university equipment records, ensuring accurate inventory and financial data crucial for university operations and compliance. The Accounting Technician contributes directly to maintaining complete and accurate equipment inventory records within the university’s financial system.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, Los Angeles, CA
• Pay: $26–$28 hourly
• Team: Equipment Management team within the USC Finance Division – Financial Services
• Mission: Protect the integrity of USC equipment records and maintain complete, accurate inventory records.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Excel, databases, spreadsheets, accounting systems

What You’ll Actually Do
• Inspect and Tag Equipment: Inspect newly acquired equipment for completeness, tag items, and accurately record essential identifying information such as serial numbers, model numbers, and physical locations across University Park, Health Sciences, and off-campus sites.
• Manage Inventory Records and Documentation: Maintain comprehensive computerized inventory records for university equipment, ensuring accuracy and currency, including specific backup documentation required for federally and state-owned equipment.
• Conduct Physical Inventories and Reconciliations: Perform periodic physical inventories of recorded equipment, verify records against existing data, assist in implementing university equipment inventory procedures, and then record, balance, and reconcile account activity, researching discrepancies.
• Process Accounting Documents and Data Entry: Prepare and submit accounting documents for processing, determine appropriate fund allocations, secure all required approvals, and accurately enter data from source documents into accounting systems while reviewing for completeness and accuracy and ensuring compliance with policies.
• Provide Financial Support and Reporting: Offer information and technical support, resolving issues related to financial transactions for faculty, staff, students, researchers, and external contacts, while also preparing and distributing accurate financial reports and monitoring outstanding items for resolution.

The Must-Haves
• Background: An Associate degree is required, though a combination of experience and education may substitute. Candidates must possess a foundational knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting practices and principles.
• Experience: A minimum of one year of related bookkeeping or accounting experience is essential. The role involves fieldwork, requiring sustained periods of walking and the ability to climb stairs, and an active, valid, unrestricted California driver’s license, along with access to a personal vehicle for travel to off-campus locations.
• Skills: The ability to effectively use a variety of bookkeeping and accounting software applications, including databases and spreadsheets, is necessary. Strong customer service orientation, effective written and verbal communication skills, and the capacity to research supporting information and produce accurate reports are also key.
• Bonus: Preferred qualifications include two years of relevant experience, specific university accounting experience, and proficiency with Microsoft Excel.