Senior Accountant

Roles and responsibilities

• Perform basic accounting functions such as ledger/fund maintenance, cost analysis, fund reconciliation, posting, and fiscal control of inventory.
• Prepare financial reports from standard operating statistics and/or financial data.
  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor revenue and expenses for departmental or unit accounts.
• Ensure expenditure control and compliance with funding and reporting requirements, university policy, and standard accounting procedures.
• Construct routine spreadsheet applications, prepare financial data for input into finance and human resources systems, and generate reports; perform calculations which may include interest and depreciation.
• Coordinate the preparation of regularly scheduled and special billings, cost reports, analyses, studies, inventories, and financial statements for local, state, federal and private funding sources.
• Review and approve expenditure, personnel, and purchasing documents for the availability of funding, mathematical correctness, and compliance with university policy and state and federal funding requirements.
• Analyze, reconcile, balance, and maintain accounting records.
• Prepare, review, and process budget, revenue, expense, payroll, and related correcting entries and may prepare bank reconciliations of intermediate complexity.
• Interact with and trains client department staff regarding finance policies and procedures and funding requirements.
• Monitor data processing batches including suspense control, cash counts, and balancing.
• Supervise and/or lead lower-graded staff.
• Assisted in audits and prepared audit work papers.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
  

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting Finance or related field, with at least 5-7 years of experience that is directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
  

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Knowledge of AU financial regulations, and university financial policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Account balancing and reconciling skills.
• Knowledge of standard and/or fund accounting principles, methods, and applications.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and/or projections.
• Ability to set up and maintain financial accounts and ledgers.
• Working knowledge of MS Excel spreadsheet software to quantify and illustrate routine financial reports, statements, and/or projections.
• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control procedures.
• Knowledge of computerized information systems used in financial and/or accounting applications.

Desired candidate profile

. Financial Reporting

• Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Financial Statements: Preparing and ensuring the accuracy of financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. This may involve coordinating with other departments to gather necessary data.
• General Ledger Maintenance: Overseeing and maintaining the general ledger, ensuring that all transactions are recorded accurately and in compliance with accounting principles.
• Reconciliation: Reconciling bank accounts, balance sheet accounts, and other financial statements to ensure the accuracy of financial reporting and identifying any discrepancies or errors.
• Closing the Books: Managing the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes, ensuring all financial transactions are recorded, adjustments are made, and reports are completed on time.

2. Financial Analysis

• Budgeting and Forecasting: Assisting in the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and projections. Monitoring actual performance against budgeted figures and providing explanations for variances.
• Variance Analysis: Analyzing financial data to identify trends, variances, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Preparing reports that highlight discrepancies between actual and projected financial results.
• Cost Analysis: Reviewing and analyzing the company’s costs and expenditures, identifying opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and optimize financial performance.

3. Compliance and Internal Controls

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as adherence to financial reporting standards (e.g., GAAP, IFRS). Senior accountants may also be responsible for preparing and filing tax returns.
• Internal Controls: Developing, implementing, and monitoring internal controls to ensure the accuracy of financial data and to prevent fraud or errors in financial reporting.
• Audit Support: Assisting in internal and external audits by providing necessary financial documentation, reports, and explanations of accounting practices and processes.

4. Team Leadership and Supervision

• Mentoring and Training: Mentoring and providing guidance to junior accountants or accounting assistants, helping them develop their skills and understand complex accounting tasks. This may include reviewing their work, offering constructive feedback, and answering technical questions.
• Team Collaboration: Collaborating with other departments, such as tax, finance, and operations, to ensure that financial transactions are recorded accurately and that company-wide financial processes are aligned.

5. Tax and Regulatory Reporting

• Tax Compliance: Preparing and reviewing tax returns, ensuring compliance with tax laws, and working with external tax advisors to minimize the company’s tax liability.
• Regulatory Filings: Filing necessary documents with government agencies, including sales tax filings, VAT reports, and other required regulatory documentation.

6. System and Process Improvement

• Process Improvement: Identifying areas for improvement in accounting processes and systems to increase efficiency and accuracy. This may involve recommending and implementing new software, tools, or methods for automating tasks.
• Software Utilization: Utilizing accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) to process transactions, generate reports, and ensure accurate data management.