Accountant I

About the role

Tennessee State University invites applicants for the role of Accountant I who will support the University’s accounting functions, including daily bank account reconciliation, cash activity review, general ledger, financial reporting, audit support, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Aid in daily reconciliation of bank transactions, cash activity, deposits, credit cards, EFT / ACH , wires, receipts, and related general ledger activity to ensure items clear accurately and timely.
• Identify, research, and document routine reconciling items such as unrecorded deposits, returned checks, bank fees, rejected payments, and other adjustments; escalate complex items as appropriate.
• Prepare routine journal entries and accounting corrections with proper documentation, approvals, account coding, and compliance with University policies and accounting standards.
• Review cash receipt transactions for proper account classification and coordinate corrections as needed.
• Reconcile assigned general ledger and balance sheet accounts and help ensure financial transactions are accurately recorded in Banner or other approved systems.
• Assist in coordinating financial activities related to auxiliary units and support departments with routine transaction issues, coding questions, missing documentation, pending approvals, and other financial matters.
• Audit, Compliance, and Internal Controls:
  • Provide documentation, explanations, and support for internal audit and external audit requests, and maintain assigned workpapers in accordance with applicable audit and record-retention standards.
  • Audit responses, including research, documentation, explanations, corrective actions, and follow-up items as assigned.
  • Review assigned transactions for errors, inconsistencies, unusual activity, or potential control concerns and escalate issues as appropriate.
  • Follow internal controls, segregation of duties, approval requirements, confidentiality expectations, and applicable University policies and procedures.
• Transaction Processing and Operational Support:
  • Process and review routine accounting transactions related to accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, general ledger activity, travel, and departmental financial operations.
  • Serve as backup support for check runs, ACH activity, wire processing, direct deposit activity, and other banking or payment transactions as assigned.
  • Aid in daily financial operations, transaction processing workflows, auxiliary unit financial activity, and departmental accounting support.
• Analysis, Communication, and Continuous Improvement:
  • Research routine accounting discrepancies, reconciliation issues, transaction variances, and other financial questions.
  • Communicate professionally with departments, vendors, banking partners, auditors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to resolve financial matters and respond timely to inquiries.
  • Support process documentation and standardization, process improvement efforts, and special projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• One year of experience in accounting, bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, cash management, financial reporting support, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, public accounting, or a related accounting function.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams and other standard office software.
• Ability to analyze financial transactions, research discrepancies, reconcile accounts, and resolve routine accounting or cash-related issues.
• Ability to prepare journal entries, reconciliation support, financial schedules, and supporting documentation in accordance with established policies and procedures, and internal controls.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with internal departments, banking partners, vendors, students, auditors, or other stakeholders to resolve payment, reconciliation, or accounting issues.
• Basic knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, reconciliation practices, and internal control requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience with bank reconciliations, cash activity review, ACH activity, wire transfers, payment processing, or related accounting transactions.
• Experience using Banner or a similar enterprise resource planning system.
• Experience supporting monthly close, year-end close, audit documentation, financial schedules, management reporting, process improvement, or internal control procedures.
• Experience working in a high-volume accounting, finance, payroll, cashiering, accounts payable, accounts receivable, or business office environment.

Skills

• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other relevant software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Benefits

• Annual leave (vacation)
• Sick leave
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life insurance
• Retailer retirement
• Flexible benefits plans

Pay

Details on pay will be provided at the time of interview.

Schedule

Details on schedule will be provided at the time of interview.