Accountant (Hybrid)

Job Summary

The accountant, working with the Bursar, will reconcile and monitor all student receivable, third party billing accounts and collection agency activity, as well as assist with federal and institute reporting requirements. The accountant is also responsible for supporting the Institute’s human resources and finance functions around employee fringe benefits and compliance.

About the Role

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI.

Responsibilities

• Reconcile and monitor General Ledger accounts related to student AR, direct and indirect student loans, Federal Perkins loans, State financial aid programs, external scholarships, Veteran’s benefits, and billings from the Collegiate Store.
• Provide support for report preparation and work papers for annual audits and required filings with government agencies.
• Act as a liaison regarding student AR for all audits.
• Resolve issues and questions from the student accounts receivable general ledger.
• Develop and maintain a process for tracking employees working remotely from states other than New York.
• Communicate with employees as needed to confirm work location and logistics around state requirements.
• Cook up necessary onboarding and offboarding tasks specifically for out-of-state employees.
• Aid in out-of-state employee state website/portal registrations, reporting, and payments.
• Review and analyze reports related to commuter, relocation, and moving expenses for tax implications.
• Track and coordinate purchase orders and invoice processing related to employee benefits and programs.
• Reconcile coverages and process invoices for payment for health and dental coverages.
• Analyze reports and data related to timesheet completion and PTO usage.
• Communicate with departments, as necessary, to train and teach appropriate processes.
• Aid in analyzing payments to determine appropriate taxability and reporting treatment, including gift payments or payments to international individuals or entities.
• Ensure compliance with tax regulations.
• Aid in annual Form 1099 reporting requirements through review of payments and updates to data in Banner that will ultimately populate the 1099 forms, as well as through weekly contractor files submitted to New York State.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in accounting, business administration, or related fields, and experience in a relevant accounting environment.
• At least 2 years experience in a university or not-for-profit environment preferred.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and Access).
• Broad knowledge of accounting principles, theories and concepts.
• Ability to analyze a diverse range of issues or problems including the research of relevant materials and the comparison and verification of information.
• Ability to provide resolutions using broad application of professional knowledge or to present options for resolution when problems are outside area of responsibility.
• Ability to interact with administrators throughout the campus.
• Good interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently at times, and the ability to obtain cooperation of other through negotiation and persuasion.

Skills

• Knowledge of FASB and not-for-profit guidelines and GAAP.
• Knowledge of Banner software.

Benefits

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.

Pay

Starting Salary/Rate: $62,400 - $69,500

Schedule

Shift Business Hours: Monday - Friday Troy Campus - Hybrid