Accounting Specialist

Provides critical support to the College’s Finance and Business Office. Reporting to the Accounting Operations Manager, this position maintains accurate financial records, processes transactions, and ensures compliance with institutional policies and state/federal regulations.

Responsibilities

• Performs accounting transactions in assigned accounting systems; creates and records journal entries.
• Performs transactions for assigned scholarship and grant activity.
• Assists Business Office with resolving discrepancies in the accounts receivable system.
• Performs monthly reconciliation of general ledger account balances and provides analysis of any variances in those accounts.
• Performs bank reconciliations.
• Reconciles and records monthly purchasing card activity.
• Audits and processes travel reimbursement forms.
• Prepares reports as necessary.
• Creates and maintains year-end reports for audits.
• Submits bi-weekly payroll taxes and assists Human Resources as needed with payroll tax adjustments.
• Performs accounts payable functions in absence of Accounts Payable Specialist.
• Assists procurement process by reconciling invoices, payments, credits, and closure of purchase orders.
• Reconciles outstanding purchase orders with AP and GL and adjusts as necessary.
• Assists Foundation Accountant with monthly journal entries, invoice tracking, and reporting.
• Assists Grants Accountant with budget and grant applications reviews and reporting transactions.
• Acts as backup to provide Business Office support.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate degree in finance, accounting, or related field plus three years’ experience relevant to the specifics of the essential functions and areas of responsibility.
• Clear knowledge of AP and AR as well as GAAP accounting principles.
• Strong analytical skills to locate and correct errors.
• Detailed oriented and ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated aptitude and proficiency learning and using new technologies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and other office software applications in a Windows environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multi-task to successfully balance multiple competing priorities.
• Excellent customer service skills, friendly demeanor, respect for confidentiality, and understanding and acceptance of people from various backgrounds.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Positive, cooperative, and supportive attitude.
• Ability to work independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with college coursework in accounting OR Bachelor’s degree with additionally verifiable training in accounting methods and systems encompassing basic accounting functions.
• Experience with Colleague or other relevant accounting software.

Benefits

Position includes an excellent fringe benefits package.

Pay

This full-time position will be placed on the College 12-month employee Non-Exempt Staff salary scale at grade 10. Actual salary placement based on qualifications and experience.

Physical Demands

• Normally sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Ability to hear, talk, and communicate to exchange information.
• Visual acuity to perceive or detect surroundings.
• Mental acuity to focus, concentrate, understand, and convey subject matter.
• Repetitive motion (e.g., keyboarding).
• Able to stand, sit, and walk to move or traverse from one area to another.

Work Environment

College campus, with direct contact with students, staff, faculty, and the general public in classrooms, common and shared areas, offices, and campus environments. Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting, and training rooms.

• Use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, computers for data entry and word processing with some highly technical applications and new technology systems.
• Avoidance of trips and falls.
• Observance of fire, workplace, and building safety regulations and all College policies.
• Observance of traffic laws when/if driving College vehicles.

Employment Conditions

• Selected candidates must successfully complete a criminal background check.
• Must be able to work on campus as of the first day of employment.
• Residency restrictions apply: employees must physically work in Maryland the majority of the time and be a resident of DC, VA, WV, MD, or PA on the date employment commences.
• Must be currently authorized to work in the US; the College does not offer Visa sponsorships.
• Must be willing to come to campus for identity verification within 3 business days of hire date.