Accountant I

About the role

The Accountant I position supports the day-to-day accounting, budget analysis, and financial reporting activities of Student Affairs and University Advancement. The incumbent performs entry to intermediate-level professional accounting work involving the application of accounting principles and practices to resolve a variety of accounting functions or problems.

Responsibilities

• Perform, review, and analyze a broad range of entry to intermediate-level accounting and financial activities for the Divisions of Student Affairs and University Advancement to ensure compliance with various established policies, timely recordkeeping, and appropriate accounting treatment.
• Afford service to customers by answering questions, providing information, making referrals, and assuring appropriate follow-through and/or resolution.
• Frequently provide timely and accurate information in response to customer inquiries and reporting that evidences a general understanding of GAAP, compliance, and policy.
• Analyze and reconcile routine bank statements, sub-ledgers, reports, and financial records in a timely manner.
• Recommend and prepare adjustments, journal entries, reports, and expenditure transfers.
• Post journal entries.
• Analyze transactions for correct coding and assignment of revenues and expenditures.
• Complete schedules for various funds and accounts for the annual audit.
• Prepare fluctuation analysis (actuals vs prior year, actuals vs budget, actual vs projections).
• Provide initial troubleshooting of financial systems problems and participate in the design and installation of financial system upgrades and required testing and verification of results.
• Maintain accurate financial records.
• Aid in the coordination, development and/or production of various reports to meet customer needs and legal and regulatory requirements, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Assist with the annual independent audit and tax (Form 990) preparation including scheduling, preparing, and reviewing audit schedules.
• Gather information to assist in the compilation and review data for the annual UBIT return, quarterly sales, and use tax returns.
• Assist with other Financial Services projects including those assigned under Campus Accounting, Student Financial Services, and Sponsored Programs Administration as needed.

Requirements

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Relevant education and/or experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities (SKA’s)

• General knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), office methods and procedures, and statistical and mathematical presentation of data.
• Advanced proficiency with current word processing and spreadsheet software programs, web browsers, query tools, integrated financial systems and/or other types of records management systems.
• Ability to apply appropriate accounting treatment to financial transactions.
• Ability to interpret policy guidelines and follow instructions.
• Ability to analyze financial and statistical data and draw conclusions.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) to two (2) years of accounting related experience in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work – involves mainly sitting; minimal walking and standing; lifting light weight objects limited to 15 pounds.

Environmental Factors

N/A

Special Conditions

• SCREENING: Only those applicants possessing experience most directly related to the immediate needs of the office will be invited to appear before a Qualifications Appraisal Board for the purpose of appraising training, experience, and interest in the position.
• BACKGROUND CHECK: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment.

Education Code 89521 Requirements

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last seven years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Background Check

All new employees will be required to present documentation verifying their right to accept employment. You will also be requested to present a social security card at the time of initial appointment in compliance with state payroll regulations.

Campus Contact for Nondiscrimination Policy

All campus contacts for the Nondiscrimination Policy are listed below:

• Allan Williams, Associate Vice President of Civil Rights & Compliance, (661) 654-2713

Sensitive Position

Sensitive positions are designated by the CSU as requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position, based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of the people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to the CSU or individuals in the university community.

General Information

• It is the policy of California State University, Bakersfield to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to present documentation verifying their right to accept employment. You will also be requested to present a social security card at the time of initial appointment in compliance with state payroll regulations.
• The California State University (“CSU”), including California State University, Bakersfield is committed to an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect. All students and employees have the right to participate fully in CSU programs, activities, admission, and employment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and retaliation.