Non-Represented, Senior Accountant

About The College

Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a public associate and applied baccalaureate degree granting institution with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 7,604 students annually on its beautiful 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Washington. Programs and courses are offered through in-person, hybrid, and online modalities to promote access for a diverse student population. The College is committed to equal opportunity and believes diversity of experiences and cultures enrich our campus community. The College is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

About Our Community

The College's campus is located in Bellingham (population 95,960). Bellingham showcases a strong commitment to education and is regularly rated on "best of the Northwest" lists. Bellingham is midway between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. Canada. The city is surrounded by the rural landscape of Whatcom County (population 226,850), which is home to a thriving network of farms and scenic wilderness. As you explore our community, you'll discover historic neighborhoods, waterfront cities, farmlands and mountain towns all within a few dozen miles of each other. Bellingham and Whatcom County are known for their outdoor activities. Whether your idea of fun is visiting galleries, watching live theater, kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, or unwinding with a good book, you'll love Bellingham and Whatcom County.

General Description Of Work

The Senior Accountant is a key member of the Business Office and is responsible for accurately reporting the financial position and activities of the college and its departments to a variety of internal and external constituencies. The position coordinates and directs financial transactions recorded in the College's accounting system and ensures the accuracy, integrity, and appropriate classification of those transactions. The Senior Accountant provides responsive, service-oriented financial support to College departments while ensuring that financial activities comply with College policies and procedures, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and applicable laws, regulations, and standards established by authoritative governing bodies. The position provides leadership within the Business Office, collaborates with departments across the College, and serves on College committees and workgroups as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Performs accounting, auditing, financial reporting, fiscal review, and financial analysis for the College.
• Prepares and reviews journal entries, account adjustments, and other accounting transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable standards, laws, regulations, and College policies.
• Reconciles general ledger accounts, subsidiary ledgers, bank accounts, and other financial records and resolves discrepancies.
• Works with cashiering, accounts payable, and accounts receivable staff to ensure timely and accurate financial system entries.
• Prepares annual financial statements in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements, including required disclosures and Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), in coordination with Business Office leadership and staff.
• Coordinates annual administrative and financial audits by preparing requested materials, supporting documentation, and responses to audit inquiries.
• Conducts internal audits and financial reviews and recommends corrective action as needed.
• Maintains and reconciles College assets with the State asset database, including land, buildings, equipment, inventories, and infrastructure.
• Assists the Director of Business and Finance in managing banking services and monitoring cash balances.
• Provides financial information, analysis, and support to College departments and leadership regarding budgets, expenses, fiscal reporting, and accounting practices.
• Provides technical accounting guidance and support to Business Office staff and College departments.
• Researches and interprets accounting standards, state requirements, and College policies and recommends appropriate accounting treatment and procedures.
• Assists with the development and implementation of accounting procedures, internal controls, and financial processes.
• Assists the Director of Business and Finance with the preparation of the annual Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) report.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, economics, or a closely related field.
• Three years of professional-level experience in accounting, auditing, budgeting, finance, or a closely related fiscal field.
• Experience leading, training, or supervising staff in a professional work environment.
• Master's degree from an accredited institution in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or CPA candidate.
• Professional accounting experience in higher education, governmental, or other public-sector organizations.