Financial Accountant

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education, Experience and Training:  

Bachelor’s Degree required.  A degree in Accounting, Business, or related field is desired.  Experience in lieu of a degree will be considered. The ability to multi-task and think intuitively and critically is required. Must be detail oriented with the ability to work independently and as part of a team required. 

Knowledge, Skills, Ability: 

• Knowledge of accounting systems and general accounting principles. 

• Knowledge of general ledger set up and basic account reconciliations. 

• Knowledge and ability to utilize the Internet, including but not limited to online banking and merchant services, Microsoft Office software, E-commerce and Ellucian (Colleague) software or a related higher education software package. 

• Ability to use Unimarket or other online purchasing systems, ImageNow, BudgetTracker, Blackboard/Blackboard Reporting System, and Informer Reporting System. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with internal and external personnel.   

• Effective communication skills and ability to work both independently and as a team.   

• Strong organizational and time management skills including the ability to multi-task and prioritize competing work responsibilities. 

• Ability to work confidently and competently under very tight deadlines. 

• Analytical and problem-solving skills. 

• Ability to quickly analyze situations, consider alternatives, and take appropriate courses of action. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   

• Assist in establishing and maintaining accounting procedures compatible with the Ellucian (Colleague) System [or a related higher education software package] to ensure all financial reports conform to generally accepted standards of fund accounting. 

• Reconcile various general ledger accounts such as inventory, prepaids, financial aid, cash accounts, etc. Research/resolve reconciling items.  Reconciling items can involve external departments including Student Accounts, Institutional Advancement, Financial Planning, etc. 

• Assist in fixed asset analysis. 

• Assist other accounting personnel with researching incoming wire activity and make required entries for cash activity as needed.   

• Assist in month-end closing including preparation and recording of journal entries to record monthly departmental allocation entries, Passport transactions, interest earnings, non-AR credit card transactions (from Merchant Services Settlement Reports), travel card imports etc. Assist with other required journal entries such as recurring activity for items automatically drafted from or deposited to our bank account, departmental reclassification entries, and Student Government Association entries. 

• Perform other special projects assigned by the Manager of Financial Accounting including but not limited to: 

• Ad hoc reporting as needed for departments or executive management 

• Perform internal audit procedures on travel cards 

• Perform internal audit on Inventory 

• Assist with Year-end closing and audit schedules including assisting with preparation of the University’s audited financial statement bound report 

 SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

None 

ACCOUNTABILITY: 

This position contributes to the University’s successful use of accounting by preparing necessary reporting, maintaining the general ledger, reconciling accounts and maintaining internal controls.  The incumbent works closely with the Director of Business Services and VPFA to ensure compliance with university policy, federal and state regulations and laws, and GAAP.  The position is actively involved in month end and fiscal year-end closings in order for the financial statements to reflect accurately the results of the financial operations of the University.