wrist phenomenon: Course Mentor, Accounting

Institution:	Western Governors University
Location:	Online/Remote
Category:	Faculty - Business - Accounting Faculty - Business - Business Administration
Posted:	11/29/2012 (Reposted Job: Initially posted on 11/09/2012)
Type:	Full Time

The Course Mentor is responsible for serving as the Subject Matter Expert in the field of accounting. S/he works with students through Learning Communities, proactive outreach, and other resources to help the student develop competency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide subject matter expertise and experience with accounting
Mentor students with content associated with topics of accounting
Actively engage students in learning content and respond to student issues in their area of expertise
Provide academic help to students as requested by using both synchronous and asynchronous technology to communicate with students. This will include, at a minimum, audio chat, instant messaging, threaded discussions, group discussions, and message boards
Be available to students during posted office hours as determined by the department. This will generally include some evening and weekend hours
Mentor students in effective study practices relevant to the discipline(s) covered in the COS and assist students in the use of the related Learning Resources
Mentor students in the topics needed to successfully complete the assessments in the COS(s) and provide feedback on assignments as appropriate
Work with students assigned to their COS(s) to achieve high success rates as measured by pass rates on assessments and successful completion of the Course of Study
Proactively lead sessions to improve student understanding of the key topics and objectives in the COS(s) assigned
Work with various departments and more specifically with a team of Course Mentors, Student Mentors, Program Managers, and Program Development for program success and student success
Work with others as a team to develop best practice strategies that result in student success with competency development and assessments, and implement these strategies with integrity
Provide personalized outreach to at-risk students in a way that fosters development of competencies
Work in a primarily phone based approach supported by online meeting rooms and computer-based service, with about 10 non-standard hours of contact per week
Other duties as assigned

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

Effective mentoring of students with a professional approach and knowledge of the competency based model
Positive working relationship with program manager, student mentors, course mentors, product development, and students
Response time to students and University employees is appropriate and aligned with the University goal
Maintenance of reports of student progress ensuring notes are neat, accurate, and completed timely
Courteous and professional resolution or referral of calls and inquiries
Maintenance of the University's professional reputation
Appropriate notification to management of area activities and of any significant problems

Required Skills

Success in working on complex projects using a collaborative work model
Superior writing and technology skills
Mastery of relevant competencies and topics associated with the assigned COS(s)
Well organized
Attentive to detail
Ability to assist and support others
Subject matter expertise in Accounting and Finance
Ability to respond quickly and thoroughly to student questions and concerns

Graduate accounting subject matter expertise:

Financial Analysis (JET2)

Financial statements, corporate systems and internal controls
Risks - Internal and external, mitigation strategies and techniques
Legal and regulatory requirements
Cost-volume-profit concepts and other analytical tools
Budgets and pro-forma statements, including cash flows
Capital budgeting
Equity financing, debt alternatives
Working Capital management, working capital acquisition
Economic cost concepts and activity-based costing

Undergraduate accounting subject matter expertise:

Accounting fundamentals (FNC1/FNT1)

Financial accounting concepts, recording concepts, adjusting
Cost allocation
Long-term liabilities
Balance Sheet
Income statement
Cash Flows
Financial Statement Analysis

Advanced accounting (ACA1)

Partnerships
Individual and corporate taxes
Inventory
Deprecation, Group/Composite Depreciation

Managerial accounting (CMO1)

Cost-Volume Profit
Job Order Costing
Process Costing
Variable and Absorption costing
Activity Based Costing
Budgeting, including capital budgeting
Variances
Cost Centers
Balanced Scorecard

Concepts in Auditing and Information Systems (AUO1)

Accounting Information Systems
Nature and Purpose of Large Scale Information Systems
Internal Control for Information Systems
Information System Auditing
Auditor Roles, Responsibilities and Professional Standards
Code of Professional Conduct
Planning the Audit and Assessing Risk
Internal Control Structure
Auditing Financial Statements
Audit Documentation
Assurance Services

Problems in Budgeting and Financial Statements (BGA1)

Budgeting
Capital Budgeting - NPV, IRR, Profitability Index
Capital Budgeting - Cost of Capital
Financial Statement Analysis

Concepts in accounting and Tax (ATO1/ CGC1)

Federal Income Tax
Income Tax and the Law
Individual
Partnerships
accounting Standards
Receivables and Inventory
Long-Term Assets
Short and Long-term liabilities
Corporate Equity
Investments and Income
accounting and Income Tax Rule Differences
accounting for Pensions and Leases

Required Experience

Doctorate degree with two years experience or more in the area of Accounting or Finance
Understanding and appreciation of competency-based education
Demonstrated ability to work with struggling students
Experience working in distance/adult learning environment preferred
Experienced in the use of technology-based delivery systems preferred.
Success in working on complex projects using a collaborative work model
Superior writing, communication, and technology skills
Mastery of relevant competencies and topics associated with the assigned COS(s)
Well organized
Attentive to detail
Ability to assist and support others
Subject matter expertise in the field of academic essay writing and research as a process (academic paper writing)
Ability to respond quickly and thoroughly to student questions and concern