Senior Accountant

Reporting to the Director of General Accounting, the Senior Accountant ensures accurate general ledger account balances through monthly account analysis, reconciliations, and timely close of the University's financial records. This role also handles accounting for fixed assets, construction in progress, and leases under GASB 87 guidance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare complex general ledger account reconciliations and detailed analysis of assigned general ledger accounts.
• Prepare bank reconciliations.
• Review and monitor account activity to ensure accuracy, completeness, and proper recording of transactions.
• Research and resolve discrepancies and prepare appropriate journal entries as required.
• Assist in close procedures and month-end close process by completing assigned steps.
• Perform accounting for Fixed Assets, construction in progress, capital projects, and leases under GASB 87 guidance.
• Collaborate with Finance & Treasury associates and other University departments to ensure deposits/disbursements are recorded in the correct period.
• Identify and recommend improvements to financial controls and reporting; implement approved changes to existing processes.
• Prepare audit schedules and footnotes; assist with audit inquiries.
• Actively participate in or lead special projects, including system implementations, upgrades, enhancements, financial analysis, ad hoc reports, and process improvement initiatives.
• Meet deliverable deadlines.
• Assist stakeholders in understanding account balances and content by researching and interpreting data.
• Resolve helpdesk tickets as first-level support for general ledger inquiries.
• Provide end-user training/guidance in one-on-one and group settings.
• Stay current with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as issued by GASB and FASB, as well as State and Federal circulars and IRS regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited university or college.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in a financial/accounting function preparing account analysis, reconciliations, and fixed assets.
• Knowledge and experience with journal entries, financial statement preparation, and general accounting concepts including GAAP and application as issued by GASB and/or FASB.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Workday or a similar ERP system.
• CPA or CPA eligible.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables.
• Experience working for a higher education institution or a large nonprofit organization.
• Experience in data mining.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Decision-making, problem-solving, and troubleshooting abilities.
• Professional demeanor.

Pay

$80,000.00 - $90,000.00 annually.

Benefits

The position may be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance. For further details, visit Montclair State University Benefits.